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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 9 of 9

#79 of 88 heater smell by lisalex

Apr 25, 2003 (7:39 am)

I have a 95 ES 300, it seems to have a smell like gas or oil whenever I put on tbe heater. does anyone have any solutions or similar problems.

#80 of 88 Air conditioner smell. by x093352

May 17, 2003 (9:45 pm)

I have a 2002 es with an air conditioning problem. The smell occurs during any of the following conditions:
1. The weather is humid.
2. It rains.
3. When the air conditioner is in use.
 
I first complained to the dealership. Their solution was to execute some ambigous cleanup procedure and spray a freshener which proved only to be a temporary solution. After a few months dealing with the problem with the dealership, they left me with an impression that there was nothing they could do. Which meant I would be would be either sweating to death on a hot summer day by not using the air-conditioner or braving the obnoxious fumes while the Lexus people set in the comfort of the offices breathing fresh air conditioned air. I called the Lexus customer satisfaction line which gave me the run around several times. They insisted that it was a problem with the type of fuel (supposedly high sulfur content) being used on the east coast. As far as they were concerned the car was operating normally and that there was nothing to be done. The only thing they suggested I do was to find a better type of fuel and run a few tankfuls through the car. The conversation with Lexus left me puzzled. I was breathing car exhaust fumes throught the ventilation system and that was considered normal. I explained that the problem was only when it was damp outside or when I use the air-conditioner. Lexus (customer service) was hearing me but they were not listening to what I was saying. After a few more phones calls to Lexus and drilling my experiences with the car into their heads was when they understood what I was saying. My situation was now referred back to the dealership where they replaced the air conditioning filter (05/15/03) assuring me that the action be the final solution to the problem. Well, it was'nt. Now it's back to dealing with the Lexus service manager and if necessary Lexus Customer Satisfaction. If they do not come up with more concrete measures, then I will have little choice but to start the arbitration process. Stay tuned!
 
PS. I haven't mention the transmission problem and various creaks and rattles in a 38+k car. I can't beleive I passed up a Acura RL and a MB E320 for this adventure.

#81 of 88 Re: Air conditioner smell by akw3

May 20, 2003 (7:31 pm)

Hi 093352,
That is exactly the same suggestions the Lexus dealer and Customer Satisfaction gave me. I was also told that is what a new car's air conditioner suppose to smell like. I owned total 9 new cars over the last 25 years, Japanese, domestic and European. Nothing smell like this Y2K ES300's air conditioner.

#82 of 88 Sereo Read-out Problem, + Needle Illumination by edmar1

May 21, 2003 (2:16 pm)

I have THE SOLUTION to the stereo problem. The dealer told me it would cost $525 to $625 to make it right. I have heard other estimates that were even higher, all from Lexus dealers. My wife found an Audio shop in La Jolla that did the job in 1/2 hour at a cost of less than $200. They repair so many of these panels that they have difficulty keeping the replacement panels in stock. The engineer there, named Cleeve, also has an electronic solution to the needle illumination problem, but I did not have that problem so I don't have the details. I hope gary10000 and mrmargin were able to solve the same problem at an economical cost. Regards to all.

#83 of 88 air conditioner smell by rtorreca

May 22, 2003 (8:55 pm)

I took my car in for this issue today and was informed that a TSB has been issued as well as a fix. They performed the fix on my car and the smell seems to have gone away. Whether it will come back in a couple of days is to be determined.

#84 of 88 "Wet window problem in ES300" by suabraham

May 31, 2003 (8:22 am)

I have a 98 Es300 46000 miles. Now have wet windows for a few days after a rain storm or washing. If I do not put the windows up-down for a few days, they do dry out. There is water getting inside my doors. I called Lexus -- they said nothing. The local mechanic told me to do hand cleaning rather than drive through. However, I am unable to avoid rain!!! Has anyone had the problem, was it fixed, what was the cost? Appreciate any input.

#86 of 88 Lexus ES300 2002 Black Garnert Pearl by swish44

Jul 14, 2003 (1:21 pm)

Car develops "white chips" in paint on an ongoing basis under normal driving conditions. Something to pay attention to if you have this color.Have loads of them.Looks like "chicken pox."

#87 of 88 Lisalex - Heater smell by toydriver

Jul 14, 2003 (6:22 pm)

I own a '95 Toyota Avalon with a very similar engine/transmission to the ES 300. I recently had a similar smell ("burnt oil") coming into the cabin when the heater or A/C was on. I had the valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets and PCV gaskets replaced recently and that fixed the oil smell. Can't say for sure, but it might be worth asking Lexus service or your mechanic. The Toyota service people quickly new what the problem was by looking under the hood while the engine was hot. Good luck.

#88 of 88 Transmission by texas83

Jul 19, 2003 (11:58 am)

I found another website where people are complaining about the ES 300 '02 and '03 tranny like crazy.
 
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=7&amp- ;t=1276&st=15
 
Also, complaints on the tranny can be called into the National Transportation Safety Administration.
1-888-DASH-2-DOT. It's easy to do. I would urge you to do it if you're having problems.

Messages Page 9 of 9

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