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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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#516 of 1381 Re: My ES330 and the RX330 [miamimike] by igiban Jul 13, 2004 (1:44 pm)
Replying to: miamimike (Jul 13, 2004 5:25 am) You got to test drive or test pass to find out. I had an RX330 for loaner once and compared to ES it's not as quiet and smooth.   I have a 03 ES300 and most of the time I simply need to press pedal half way to pass or merge. 210 HP isn't much these days but it seems to be enough for all practical purposes. The typical judgegment I use is that if I have to floor the throttle in order to pass a car, or I can tell the other car's driver is aggressive, then I would just let the other car go first. I am not a very aggressive driver to begin with so it's never an adjustment for me. I'd not have bought ES for spirited driving to begin with, although I am not saying whatever hesitation behavior is a right one. It just never bothers me in real world driving.
#517 of 1381 Lexus ES-330 trans problems by jerry5 Jul 19, 2004 (1:57 pm)
I had planned to purchase a ES-330 in about six months but after reading some of the transmission experiences of owners, I am hesitant to spend over 30K to experience the problems for myself. Is there any info coming from Lexus/Toyota that a fix may be forthcoming? I have considered the Acura TL, but don't need the performance, and feel Lexus will hold value better.
#518 of 1381 Fix for transmission? by jragosta1 Jul 22, 2004 (3:43 am)
I've seen at least one report saying that Lexus claims that they'll have a fix this summer. Frankly, I don't believe it for 2 reasons.   1. They claimed that the ES330 didn't have the problem. I specifically asked the dealer if the problem was fixed before I bought my car and he said it was. He was wrong.   2. I've been trying to get resolution from Lexus Customer 'Satisfaction' for a few months and their only response is 'it's normal'. If they were close to having a fix, I would expect that someone would say 'we have identified the problem and expect to have a solution soon. Please be patient'.   I don't think they're going to have a solution any time soon. I'm almost certainly headed for arbitration.
#519 of 1381 Transmission problems - please read.... by jragosta1 Jul 22, 2004 (6:31 am)
I filed for arbitration today. We'll see what happens.   One of the things I plan to do is bring in all the complaints to NHTSA to show that Lexus knows it's a problem. For the 2004 model year, 11 of the 36 complaints on the RX330 are from this same issue. 22 of the 29 complaints on the ES330 are the same problem. I haven't yet figured the percentages for previous years.   Clearly, the more people who document their complaints, the better the chance that Lexus will fix the problem. So, again, I would encourage everyone who experiences the problem to file a complaint at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.   I'll keep everyone posted.
#520 of 1381 Jerry5 by denny Jul 22, 2004 (1:08 pm)
I spoke with Lexus HQ about 3 or 4 weeks ago and it was clear that they are still in denial. They say their transmission on the ES330 is operating as designed. They said that if any changes to the trans software are made that current owners will be notified. I would recommend that anyone considering this car should look elsewhere. As long as 330 sales remain strong Lexus will not fix this problem. I will take jragosta's advice and file a complaint with the nhtsa since some of the things that the 330 trans does badly are safety hazards( hesitation and lurching). I've owned enough new cars to know that the way the 330 trans operates in not normal, especially a brand that places itself in the luxury segment.
#521 of 1381 Just curious by motownusa Jul 22, 2004 (3:16 pm)
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/job.aspx?modelid=11036&src=- - - - vi   I just wish more attention had been put into how the transmission and engine worked together in the test car.   Lexus said it "revised" the old tranny to better handle the new power. And for 2004, it had "new grade logic" for the transmission to perform better on descents and ascents on hilly roads.   But in the test car, occasional, clumsy-feeling upshifts came through to passengers. There were enough of them during my test drive that I wondered what had happened to the silky-smooth shifts that I had so enjoyed from the predecessor ES. I also noticed occasional hesitation, as if the transmission was indecisive about which gear to be in, when I traveled on hilly highways   This is a review from msn carpoint. Notice the part about the transmission. The reviewer clearly felt the jerky transmission shift and the hesitation. Just wondering if this is what some owners are feeling? Incidently, I have also surfed the Avalon forum. Nothing but satisfied owners. Makes you wonder how two very similar cars made by the same company can create such different ownership experience.
#522 of 1381 Re: ES 330 vs. Avalon shifting by toydriver Jul 22, 2004 (7:08 pm)
Motownusa: The 2004 Avalon has the "old" 4 speed auto transmission that was in the 2001 and earlier ES 300 models. The 2002-2004 ES 300/330 models have the 5speed auto with (drive by wire) electronics - which is the transmission of contention in this website. The 4 speed was "silky-smooth" and had satisfied (happy)owners.   Edmunds is predicting that the new 2005 Avalon will have the 5speed transmission (unhappy) when it hits the showroom.   It will be interesting to see if a new "transmission problem" website will be started by someone for the Avalon later this year!!
#523 of 1381 Other models by jragosta1 Jul 23, 2004 (3:53 am)
It's pretty easy to see which models have this problem. Go to the NHTSA site above and look for models you want to compare. For example, the 2002 ES300, 2003 ES300, 2004 ES330 and 2004 RX330 all have between 30% and 60% of their complaints related to this problem. The 2004 Camry has less than 10% of its complaints related to the transmission in any way and none of these appear to be our hesitation problem (they're mostly self-acceleration reports). Interestingly, the 2004 Avalon only has 2 complaints (vs 29 for the 2004 ES300) and neither of them is related to this problem. The Avalon's a nice car - not quite as nice as the ES, but at least its transmission works.
#524 of 1381 New Car by mrdlexus Jul 25, 2004 (4:04 pm)
I have just traded my 2004 ES330 with 6500 miles for a new 2004 GS300. I am sick and tired of the transmission, and the lack of desire to fix the problem. Where is the relentless pursuit of perfection? I would not have purchased another Lexus, except for the fact that I am paying just below invoice on the new car. The GS is silky smooth, just as the ES should have been. I would not purchase another ES until they fix the problem (if ever). As far as Lexus customer service is concerned they told me that it was operating as designed, and there was nothing more they could do. They did an investigation into my problem and they found it to be normal. So I was left an unhappy customer with little or no solution to the problem. I had 2 choices; arbitration, or trade it in for something else. I feel bad for so many ES owners out there because Lexus simply does not give a sh**. Good luck to all you ES owners out there, and all potential buyers stay clear of this car, or you will regret it just like the rest of us.
#525 of 1381 mrdlexus by denny Jul 26, 2004 (7:29 pm)
Could you tell us how the new GS is equipped and what the net cash difference was not including title and taxes. Replies to this message: mrdlexus (Jul 27, 2004 2:49 am)

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