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Transmission problems with Lexus ES?

1381 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 12:56 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Transmission, Sedan

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#406 of 1381 US Investigation of 2002 ES300 by cxc Mar 10, 2004 (6:33 am)
NHTSA is investigating the sudden acceleration of 2002 ES300. We know that the transmission behavior of our ES300 is unpredictable. The government said that there have been more than 30 crashes and many serious injuries. When we reported similar problems to Lexus, they said that it is normal behavior. I hope that this message will alert all owners of 2002-2003 ES300 and 2004 ES330 - Drive very carefully and not get anyone killed or injured because of Toyota's reputation for denying a problem and delaying a solution.
#407 of 1381 More transmission problems by mrdlexus Mar 13, 2004 (11:53 am)
Just to let you know I purchased a 2004 Es330 and it also has major transmission issues. I have taken it to the dealership 3 times already, with no results. The shifting is rough at times, with definite hesitation in low gear shifting. This does not happen all the time, approxiametly 10% of shifting is problematic, the rest of the time the car shifts normally. I would highly recommend anyone in the market to purchase an ES330 to test drive several cars to see if this problem occurs in any of them. The car that I test drove (not the one I purchased) did not have this problem, if it did I would never have bought it!!!!
#409 of 1381 Software Issue and Congress by texas83 Mar 22, 2004 (3:20 pm)
The problem I have is mostly transmission slip, but it does surge on occassion. Last November, in Austin, I had a bad surging incident. I guess this software is in more than our cars. Maybe with Congress looking into this we can get some results. It's all in the software.   Houston Chronicle, 3-9-04 CAR'S SURGING PROBLEMS CAUSE INQUIRY.   WASHINGTON (AP)- The federal government is investigating reports that some Toyoyta Camry, Camry Solara and Lexus ES 300 vehicles have surged forward without apparent reason, injuring at least five people.   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it has received reports of 30 crashes due to the alleged defect. In one case, a pedestrian was seriously injured when a vehicle suddenly accelerated, NHSTA said.   Vehicles from the 2002 and 2003 model years are included in the investigations. An estimated 1,011,000 vehicles could be effected, NHTSA said.   Toyota Spokesman John Hanson said Monday the company has received similar complaints and is reviewing its records. Drivers reported sudden acceleration as they depress the brake pedal, shifted the transmission or drove at higher speeds using cruise control.
#410 of 1381 Transmission Problem w/2004 ES330? by md528 Mar 22, 2004 (5:14 pm)
I have read quite alot about the 2002 and 2003 ES300 transmission problems. The 2004 ES330 has a different engine 3.3L and a new tranmission. Are any 2004 owners experiencing the same problems as the 2002 and 2003 models???? I am about to purchase a 2004 ES330 and don't want to if they have not fixed the problem
#411 of 1381 md528 by andy71 Mar 23, 2004 (7:16 am)
I am a current owner of a 2004 Toyota Camry SE V6. My car has the same 3.3L 225 Hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. This is my honest opinion and I think you should take the car for a thorough test drive before buying one. The car is very responsive from a standstill. In fact much much quicker than the 3.0L engine found on the LE and XLE models. However, the drive-by-wire throttle has a disconnected feel to it when you step on the gas. I think 90% of the people probably won't notice it. But comparing to my 95 Camry LE V6 I can feel the disconnect. In my older car I can actually feel the car responding to my throttle input. With my new car, it is computer sensors not cables that detect acceleration input. Some of the complaints I have seen on this board is that there is a slight delay when you press the gas pedal and when the car starts accelerating. I have not felt this. My overall impression of this car is very good. But you should always test drive before agreeing to buy a car. Hopefully it helps.
#412 of 1381 andy71 - I have driven Camrys... by atoews Mar 23, 2004 (12:34 pm)
and I know what you are talking about. The V6 Camrys seem kind of soft and sluggish. But that is not the same thing as the ES300/30 transmission slip/hesitation. In fact, the ES300 transmission seems more responsive than the Camry XLE in the aspect you are talking about.   I drove an RX330 as a loaner and did not have the problem that I have experienced in all ES300s I have driven.   I still think the hesitation discussed here is a ES unique issue.
#413 of 1381 ES330 TRANSMISSION by sarah Mar 23, 2004 (5:36 pm)
I test drove my car(which I am scheduled to pick up on Sat.)today, and I'm quite surprised at the first step on the gas,the car did'nt seem to respond, I drove out of the dealer's lot and I felt like I was pushing the car from behind,the gas pedal was pressed hard enough and I drove around the area and I thought maybe there was something blocking the tires from running,it was so slow, I thought maybe the brake was onbut there was no indication of that.I turned back right away to the dealer and asked the sales person. He opened the hood and showed me the label on the engine marked VHH(orVVH)He said that the car's transmission is driven by computer sensor, it senses how the driver drives the car and he said that it will take about 15 miles before the car would respond to my way of driving,he even had an engineer explained to me. I was really puzzed. I decided to try again and drove out of the parking lot again,this time ,the car seemed to respond better. Am I just not used to this new technology or was I too tight because I was nervous or is that sign of transmission problem that some people talked about? Please give me some of your opinions. I still have time to back out although I think I'm way too far into the deal. I signed the financing application today
#414 of 1381 Sarah re: ES TRANSMISSION by toydriver Mar 23, 2004 (6:51 pm)
The "slow to respond" feel that you described on your initial test drive is very similar to what has been described by some of us on this website. It has also been characterized as intermittant - ok sometimes, bad other times. Some people are seriously annoyed by the problem and others don't seem to mind or care. IMO, if the response that you felt the first time you drove the car would bother you, DON'T buy the car. There is no need to rush spending this kind of money if you're not completely satisfied.
#415 of 1381 sarah by kreativ Mar 24, 2004 (4:44 pm)
I agree with toydriver. If you're not satisfied with how the car drove on your test drives, don't let the salesman rope you in with the expectation that the car will get better after you've dropped $30K+ for the car and driven it off their lot. If he's so confident, he'll let you drive the 15 miles to prove his point to you.   And what he was pointing to on the engine is "VVT-i" - Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. I don't know why he referenced that instead of the ECT-i when explaining the learning behavior of the transmission.

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