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Transmission problems with Lexus ES?

1407 messages,  Last post on Sep 22, 2012 at 10:23 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

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

Messages Page 86 of 141

#850 of 1407 1999 ES 300 by seacoast

Dec 24, 2005 (11:31 am)

My wife and I experienced the same transmission/shifting issues with our 1999 ES300. It occurred when shifting from 1st to 2nd in low gears only. We were told by the Lexus dealership that the transmission was supposed to do that (what everyone else has been barking about). We moved to the seacoast area of NH a few years back and started getting our ES 300 serviced at the Toyota dealership. I ran into a serious issue one morning driving about 2 months ago when the ES 300 fell out of gear going down the road at 50mph. I had it towed to the dealership where they changed the filter and put new transmission fluids in it.
 
They offered no real explanation (things fail?) but said a new transmission might be a good idea (Toyota $3200), they proceeded to say the vehicle which has 80,000 miles might go on for another year or longer without problems-? but did not know, unfortunately the car is out of warranty by a less than a year. It has been a great car (for 6 years) except for this issue. I thought I was the only one with this issue. I was even looking at new 05, 06's ES 330's but may reconsider now, which is to bad, as it’s a good luxury car with a bad design flaw. You would think Toyota or Lexus would remedy this issue, as this transmission must be used in other Toyota vehicles.
 
How about the modertors or the editors of Edmounds using their powers of persuasion to contact Lexus re; this seemingly huge issue i.e. many posts on this from different people with Lexus/Toyota products?? As they don't seem to listen to the little guy unless we all stop buying Toyota products which will not happen.

#851 of 1407 Re: Transmission problems [scoti1] by seacoast

Dec 26, 2005 (9:06 am)

Replying to: scoti1 (Oct 24, 2005 7:56 am)
Lemon Law, thats real helpful..
 
The bottom line is that we were hoping that the 1999 Lexus ES300, which we bought brand spanking new at the time would give us trouble free driving and for the most part it did... But a luxury car of this price & caliber should not experinece an ongoing issue.
 
In my humble opinion the fault seems to be a Toyota design issue rather than an individual(s) driving habit, this flaw has not been resolved in subsequent model years, from researching all the posts/complaints in this forum. For every post there "might" be others out there who have no clue and others who have no problems but it seems as though the Lexus/Toyota issue is ongoing and unresolved.
 
 We were going to upgrade to a newer model or a take step up in the Lexus model lineup-- but I am not convinced the transmissions failure or surging/hesatation issues are resolved...
 

#852 of 1407 Re: Transmission problems [seacoast] by atoews

Dec 29, 2005 (6:04 pm)

Replying to: seacoast (Dec 26, 2005 9:06 am)
Note that the problem does not occur in vehicles whose model years are pre 2002. Only 2002-2006 model ES300s/330s have this problem.

#853 of 1407 ES330 Hesitation by shepali

Dec 31, 2005 (11:20 am)

I'm so very frustrated with the lack of response by Lexus and the local dealer with regard to this problem. I've engaged an attorney, and he isn't even very hopeful that I can get any remedies. I HATE this car so very much - and I've never hated a car. And its sad, because I really like the look and feel of the car - as long as I don't have to drive it anywhere.
 
I have had the TSB upgrade, and it helped for about 500-1,000 miles - but now its just as bad as it ever was. Most noticeable in traffic, parking lots/garages, etc. - basically at speeds below 20mph. It also has some shift problems at speeds just below 40mph.
 
Does anyone out there have any suggestions - other than just eating the $3,000 that I'm currently upside down? It seems that the only success anyone has had was in 2003, when this was still a fairly new problem. Now that it has gone on for 5 model years (2002-2006), it seems as though Lexus isn't willing to do anything.
 
They obviously have transmissions that don't have this problem (used in other models), so why can't they make this problem go away?
 
Why hasn't a class action been filed or successful?
Why doesn't the lemon law appear to protect us on this?
 
Why, Why, Why????

#854 of 1407 Re: ES330 Hesitation [shepali] by hylyner

Dec 31, 2005 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: shepali (Dec 31, 2005 11:20 am)
Why, Why, Why???
Why no class action or lemon law results? I submit there are probably many reasons.
First reason? It's plainly not a big deal for the vast majority of owners, otherwise it would be talked about a lot more than it is.
Second reason? It doesn't even exist for most owners, and it certainly isn't a widespread issue. Most discussions about it in these forums seem to be dominated by the same group of posters. There doesn't appear to be a broad cross section of complaints from a diverse group.
Third reason? It evidently isn't enough of a "winner" for most lawyers.
Fourth reason? Lemon law usually works if there's a doable issue being contested, and evidently that hasn't been the case with this one.
Fifth reason? It isn't a safety issue. No one has been able to show why it should be one.
Sixth reason? There's a TSB out there for anyone to apply for if they think they have a problem--and it appears to work for most who've had it done.
Seventh reason? Lately there's been little discussion aboout it, which indicates it may have disappeared on its own. How do we know that it hasn't been "fixed" anyway?
Eighth reason? It apparently happens when drivers induce it under a very narrow set of driving circumstances. Most folks probably don't experience that narrow set of circumstances very often, if at all.
It's too bad you feel the way you do about your ride. Perhaps the best thing for you to do is get rid of it and move on. There are worse things to cry over in this world.

#855 of 1407 Re: ES330 Hesitation [hylyner] by wwest

Dec 31, 2005 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: hylyner (Dec 31, 2005 12:08 pm)
Read the Toyota TSB regarding the description of the three circumstances under which Toyota acknowledges the problem is likely to occur. I think then most will see that all of these circumstances are common enough to the average John/Jane Q Public's driving experiences that they might be encountered by anyone.
 
So obviously something random is going on here making it seemingly impossible for anyone to predict which 5-speed transaxle equipped cars rolling off the production line will be subject to the problem.
 
I'm quite certain that Toyota is working very hard to remove the "X" from the equation and when they know then we will knowsoon after. Until then it might be best to stay away from any Toyota or Lexus 5-speed transaxle equipped vehicle.

#856 of 1407 Re: ES330 Hesitation by billran

Dec 31, 2005 (6:53 pm)

"Until then it might be best to stay away from any Toyota or Lexus 5-speed transaxle equipped vehicle. "
 
An interesting statement to make considering that you don't even own one of the affected vehicles, and have never personally driven one and experienced the specific hesitation being discussed. So, without any first hand knowledge of the the actual intensity, duration or frequency of this problem, I have to question the motivation in making such a statement.
 
I have a car with that transaxle that drives great, as do two others I know of personally. I think that making statements like you made above, or giving blanket recommendations, especially based soley on secondhand information, is not appropriate. And again, I have to question the motivation here.

#857 of 1407 Re: ES330 Hesitation [billran] by hylyner

Jan 01, 2006 (4:52 am)

Replying to: billran (Dec 31, 2005 6:53 pm)
It's much more than just an "interesting statement". It's an unwarranted statement at the very least, and alarmingly inconsistent with other comments by this same poster. In another ES330 forum, a recent post wisely calls for "mature, objective conduct and don't respond things intended only to bait others". What is now said is 180 degrees from that suggestion, and can only be interpreted as intentional "bait" to get the controversy going again. I strongly suggest it be disregarded, if for no other reason that it is totally wrong. Just don't respond to what are obviously irresponsible and unsubstantiated claims.

#858 of 1407 Re: ES330 Hesitation [shepali] by user777

Jan 02, 2006 (6:38 am)

Replying to: shepali (Dec 31, 2005 11:20 am)
shepali - a number of people with Toyota and Lexus DBW systems have endured your frustration. no posters at edmunds knows or can document the true extent of the issue. likewise, no one posting to the forums knows or can document the true root cause.
 
your observation that initially the TSB helped, but then certain behaviors returned is something to take note of; it's possible there are a few behaviors the manufacturer is trying to remedy with the TSB, and your vehicle just doesn't fall into the targeted population.
 
you are the best judge as to the drivability and safety of this vehicle for you and your family.
 
therefore, the advice provided to you to get out of the vehicle (and incur any financial hit) is probably wise, as no one truely knows if and when a permanent fix for vehicles like yours will be possible and made available.
 
good luck to you.
 
billran: i apologize for being unable to retract or otherwise address my post that you had been marginalizing another poster in another forum on this issue. the post was meant to be directed to another poster. sincere regards to you.

#859 of 1407 Re: ES330 Hesitation [user777] by billran

Jan 02, 2006 (10:46 am)

Replying to: user777 (Jan 02, 2006 6:38 am)
User777, No problem, I had figured that out. Best wishes to you for a very Happy and safe New Year!

Messages Page 86 of 141

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