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Lexus ES300 problems - READ ONLY

88 messages,  Last post on Jul 19, 2003 at 11:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Car Safety, Engine, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 9

#18 of 88 ES 300 Air bags problem updated by pontoisele

Aug 08, 2002 (6:36 pm)

For Lexus Owner info: talked to Lexus Customer Satisfaction Dept.3 days after accident asked for an inspection.Lexus promised will do within 2 weeks.Insurance co.officially declared car total loss 3 weeks later and moved car from the towing site.5 weeks after the call, lexus Rep, in atlanta called and said can't find the car for the inspection.Provided phone info of insurance Co.rep. in charge of this case, same time w/ pictures.Wrote 3 pages letter including 3 pics then certified mailed it on 7-18-2002 to Lexus according to "Lexus Owner Manual Lemon Law Info".End of July ,received calls from Lexus said no problem found on air bags (of course ).Do not say why does'nt work. Asked copy of report and new location of the car.Answer negative.Asked for a written response.Will update when answer letter come.
If some one want see pics, please get to this site :
  
www.geocities.com/tle1042002/accidentpage.html
 
Ps: This Lexus ES 300-1997 bought w/14000 miles on 1-12-2000 as preowned from Hennessy Lexus in Atlanta, GA,and serviced by same dealer.

#19 of 88 similar problems as sddlw by wingcko

Aug 25, 2002 (10:24 pm)

I also have a 2000 ES300 and when I apply the brake at > 40 mph , I can feel a pulsing vibration thru the brake pedal and steering wheel.
 
I am positive that it is not the ABS. I was not stomping on the brake. I brought it to the dealer and they said that it was the wearing brake pad while I still have 3 mm left. I believe that it is a warped rotor too... I have had this problem since the first day... anyone knows if it is covered?

#20 of 88 wingcko by sddlw

Aug 26, 2002 (7:14 am)

It tuned out it was indeed a warped rotor. The rotors need to be machined to remove the warp, or if bad enough, replaced altogether.
 
The dealer would not give me any satisfaction. I thought it was poor design that I should have such problems at 27Kmi. Before I changed my first set of pads. But they said too bad. Wear out parts...
 
So I ended up letting a performance tire and front end shop I use do the work. New pads and turned rotors at Lexus Carlsbad, CA was $300. At the tire shop it was $120.
 
The problem these days seems to be that the asbestos is no longer allowed in brake pads. There are mostly 2 alternative formulations. One gives softer pads that leads to lots of black brake dust, pads that don't last very long, and chew up the rotors such that they require replacing at relatively short intervals. Many high performance cars use these. MB and BMW use these kinds of pads. We've had 3 MBs and replace pads about every 20k miles, rotors every 60-80k miles.
 
The other has ceramic or metal in the pads. These last a long time and give off little dust, but get very hot and lead to rotor warping. These are the ones we have. The brake pads might last 50k miles or longer ......... if you do not warp the rotors.

#21 of 88 overheating on ES300 by plu1

Aug 31, 2002 (4:13 pm)

I had a overhaeting problem on my 92 ES300 a year ago. The hot coolant was forced to overflow the resservaor. I have spent $500 to get replacement of water pump and timing belts. Later, the problem was gone after flushing and refilling the cooling oil of power steeling fluid nearby the cooling fan, another $300 out of my pocket. I did not get this done by a dealer. Because they qutoed me around $1800 for replacing radiator, water pump and etc(Based on their trial and error). I was lucky otherwise the same problem presists.
 
Anybody has a good idea how to get leather seats repaired? Thanks in advance,

#22 of 88 seats by sddlw

Sep 03, 2002 (8:07 am)

What kind of repair?
 
I've had an older 380SL interior restored. Found a shop that recovered the leather seats for about $800 per seat. That included new pads and some minor repair work to the frames.

#23 of 88 Brake - Rotors warped in posts by mevande

Sep 16, 2002 (9:49 pm)

Hello,
I am considering a new ES300. I heard one person here( sddlw) got to a tire shop for pads/ rotors from a tire shop for a much better deal. Does this is any way mess up your Lexus warranty. Also, I have a dumb question! Is the ES300 with its increaded HP and 5 speed auto trans (and other nicities) worth ten grand more than a Carmy? Thanks for any info!
 
Mike V.

#24 of 88 by sddlw

Sep 17, 2002 (7:23 am)

Hey Mike,
The ES is a great car. It was redesigned for 2002 and is quite different from the earlier model. I drive a 2000, so do not have day to day experience with the latest model. However, over on the sedan board, there is an ES discussion group that is really focussed on the 2002/2003 model. One thing they seem to complain about is a glitch in the transmission shifting that has been blamed on a software problem. You might want to check the discussion out.
 
Is it worth more than the Camery? You'll get many opinions on this. The difference may be closer to $5K once you get that Camery upgraded to the same level of the ES, and do some hard negotiating. At least here in So Ca, the Lexus dealers are having to deal. But still it is a lot of money. I think the ES is a better ride with a little more attention to detail and a little nicer trim. Both cars hold their value very well. Both cars are very reliable.
 
BTW: The brake rotors and pads are not covered under warranty. They are considered wear-out parts. As long as the periodic maintanence is done and you have records, you should be fine. You are not required to have the dealer do the service work. Now, is the dealer going to tell you that?....yeh right. In the last 2 months, I had that brake job that I wrote about earlier and a 30K service. Dealer = $300 and 500 respectively. Independant = $125 and $272 respectively. Heck, a simple 5k OLF and fluid inspection at the Carlsbad Dealer here in San Diego is $160..... but you do get a car wash and a loaner!!
 
There is a Toyota shop right next door that quoted me $275 for a 30K swervice if I had a Camery instead of an ES. So you have one shop charging $500 and the guy next door for a very similar, but not exactly the same car, engine wise. Some Toyota shops will service Lexus, others will not. I actually prefer an independent. For the price and because I like to get to know the mechanics and the shop owners....Try to do that at a dealer.

#25 of 88 Seva by seva

Oct 07, 2002 (7:10 pm)

I have 98 ES300 with 47,000 miles.
Sometimes, especially at the beginning of the ride, I fill exhaust smell inside the cabin.
What it could be an how to deal with it.
 
Thank you for the answer.

#26 of 88 Seva by sddlw

Oct 09, 2002 (6:59 am)

You must have an exhaust leak somewhere. It could need nothing more than tightening some bolts or replacing a gasket. Or you might need a new section of exhaust pipe or a new muffler or catalytic converter. If the leak in the system was big, and before the muffler, the car would likey be much noiser than it should.
 
You need to take it into the shop for a couple reasons. First, exhaust and carbon monoxide are toxic at high concentrations. Second, a leak in the exhaust system can effect the back pressure of your engine and lead to bigger problems.

#27 of 88 Speedometer/tach lights out by sam95es

Nov 16, 2002 (10:14 am)

We just bought 95 300ES. Only problem is needle lights on Speedometer and Tachometer do not light up. We hear this is not uncommon. Dealer wants $600 for complete new dash unit and $300 to install it. We had them painted a light color, but this does not work at night. Any suggestions?

Messages Page 3 of 9

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