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Lexus ES 350 Transmission Issues

52 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 9:29 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 350, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 6

#13 of 52 Re: axcelator problems with 2007 es 350 [wrh2] by warty

Oct 04, 2008 (9:57 pm)

Replying to: wrh2 (Jul 20, 2007 7:41 pm)
Yes, I had the same problem last week. I mentioned it to the dealer and they wouldn't acknowledge it or write up a complaint. They had me call in to Lexus corporate to voice a complaint. Evidently, a number of people have had this problem so the local dealers won't deal with it. In short, the car taking off is probably due to the transmission flare that happens between 3rd and 4th gear. If you gas pedal is pressed down it will take off and you lose control. I believe someone is currently suing lexus over this issue. If you complain Lexus will most likely say your winter floor mat is the problem because it slides up over the gas pedal.

#14 of 52 2007 ES350 Transmission problem by del1111

Jan 23, 2009 (11:54 am)

Car is a 2007 ES350 with about 15,000 miles. About a week ago, I started to notice the tachometer would rev about 500 rpm's when the transmission would shift between 3rd & 4th gear and sometimes between 4th and 5th gear. It was in intermittent problem. Luckily when I took it to the dealer, it DID exhibit the problem. I left the car, took the loaner home and about a hour later, Dealer called to say I needed a new transmission. All under warranty. Very disappointed. Car is supposed to be bullet-proof. Isn't.

#15 of 52 Re: 2007 ES350 Transmission problem [del1111] by rhtrans

Jan 24, 2009 (9:04 am)

Replying to: del1111 (Jan 23, 2009 11:54 am)
Unfortunately nothing man made is bulletproof...doesn't matter who makes it.

#16 of 52 major transmission problems by jillyjill

Feb 09, 2009 (3:25 pm)

I have a 2007 ES350 with approximately 80,000 miles on it. I know it is a lot of miles for 2.5 years having the car, but I commute 110 miles per day for work. I bought the Lexus for the purpose of reliability. In December 2008, I was driving home from work and started to notice some jerking with the car. After a few miles, I pulled off to the shoulder and turned the car off. I turned it back on after a few minutes, put it in gear, and nothing. The car would not move. Because my warranty had expired, I called a tow truck and had the car towed to my local auto repair shop. The transmission was shot. I had to put in a brand new transmission and because I was 10,000 miles over the warranty on it, Lexus would pay nothing. The tow and the transmission was approximately $6500, and the new Lexus transmission I had put in is only warranted for one year. Saying I am disappointed in my Lexus is an extreme understatement. I am planning to write to Lexus to express my extreme dissatisfaction, but I am not sure it will get me anywhere.

#17 of 52 Re: More cold transmission woes [rocketdan] by masghati

Feb 16, 2009 (10:27 am)

Replying to: rocketdan (Dec 22, 2007 2:19 pm)
I have experienced the same exact problem twice now over the last three weeks. I have a 2008 ES350 with about 30,000 miles. Have not taken it to the dealer yet and wondering what they will say about it. Reading from other messages, sounds like a transmission issue. Both times it happened when car was cold and I had just started driving.

#18 of 52 Transmission gone at 76,000 miles by dlosd

Aug 06, 2009 (9:02 pm)

This is my first luxury vehicle and I will never purchaser another Lexus again. This is unbelivable. I've had fords, hondas, nissans and have never had as many problems. I purchased my car May 06 . I have been asked by the Dealer here in my town of San Diego CA, to call the Lexus Manufacture to open up a case. I noticed my transmission slipping gradually. Then one day I turned a corner the car could not shift from one gear to the next and and the car jerked very hard and immediatly the CHECK ENGINE light displayed and also the CHECK VSC light displayed. They cleared the code and said they did not know what the problem was which I can see now was a lie, because I know they have had many reports of this issue happening. After the second time this happened the Service Tech called me and said the Transmission needed to be replaced. How is a Transmission Blown at 76,000 miles that's ridiculous. I've also heard noise from the brakes once they changed my brakes pads the first time. There has been a loud clicking noise coming from my brakes when I put my foot on the brake pedal. My driver side car door handle pulled off the door so beware. I went to open the door and the door handle pulled away from the door. The entire door handle mechanism pulled away from the door. The Lexus dealer had me call the manufacture for the door handle and they did replace it. For the clicking when I press on the brakes, I have taken the car to the dealer at least 6 times they can not find the problem. What a piece of trash.

#19 of 52 2007 Lexus ES 350 Transmission Issue by explorer46

Nov 22, 2009 (3:19 pm)

I purchased my ES 350 in June of 2007. It drove smoothly until around 3,000 miles when I noticed that the car would make an upshift with a loud thud/kick. Although It would happen once/twice a week yet it was so annoying that some of my friends/family, riding at the time, felt that there was something wrong with the car. I took it to a local Lexus Dealer. They said that they were aware of similar problems with other 2007 model year vehicles. They kept the car for 1-2 days and told me that they had 'Changed some data' in onboard computer and that will fix the problem. For next few months, the transmission seemed to be shifting smoothly until the problem returned and this time even worse than before. The car had less than 15,000 miles on it. I took it back to the dealer and was told this time that it was happening because the transmission fluid was little low and they replenished it. I don't get it because as per the Lexus Manual, the transmission is sealed and the oil does not need to be changed as often as older model year vehicles. Anyways the car now has 36,000 miles and the problem has only gotten worse. My wife, who mostly drives this car, complains about it almost every day.We have tried to be easy on gas pedal to allow the transmission to shift smoothly, but this has not worked. From my experience and after reading all the posts on this website it is clear that the Lexus dealers as well as the Lexus seem to be in complete denial of the problem. Their attitude is that tell customers that it is minor thing (which is caused by low transmission fluid/computer settings) or it is not a problem at all, then wait until the transmission warranty expires and then walk away. I am taking my car 3rd time to the dealership for this problem and expect the same. But at least I would have documentation to prove in court that I had a 'lemon' all the time and that the problem started when the vehicle was brand new and continues to exist. This is my first Lexus and bought it at the recommendation of consumer reports. I traded my 2003 Camry for it, which had 82,000 miles and still used to shift gears so smoothly that you could not feel. I have been always a Toyota person but my experience with this ES 350 has made me think whether I should buy another Lexus in near future. Its not just the car that bothers me so much but also the customer support that comes with it when you need it. Toyota/Lexus forget that customer service issue made Electronics Giant like SONY to loose its No. 1 spot to Samsung. Toyota/Sony products are not 100% perfect and they need to accept that. They should respect and address concerns brought forth by consumers and not try to downplay problems. I studied automotive technology myself for 2-3years. I know for sure, that my car has a transmission problem, regardless of what the dealer/Lexus tells me. I don't know if there is any kind of Class Action Lawsuit being/been filed against Toyota, but i would definitely want to be a part of it.

#20 of 52 Re: 2007 Lexus ES 350 Transmission Issue [explorer46] by tom5314

Jan 04, 2010 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: explorer46 (Nov 22, 2009 3:19 pm)
I just bought a 2007 ES350 3 mo. ago (Sept.30th) with 47k mi. on it at Lexus dealer. The tranmission is very smooth when shifting. It's now has 50K mi. on it and I didn't see any problem like you declared in your threat. Your car is definitly have a tranmission issued or may be its computer that control the transmission.
I'm sorry to hear, but you should not give up on this matter.
Can't they dubblicate the problem when you leave your car over night?

#21 of 52 Re: 2007 Lexus ES 350 Transmission Issue [tom5314] by warty

Jan 15, 2010 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: tom5314 (Jan 04, 2010 2:40 pm)
Yes, they did finally duplicate the problem and it was solved when the reset the computer and updated the software again. I have not had a problem since they have reset the transmission computer.

#22 of 52 Re: 2007 Lexus ES 350 Transmission Issue [explorer46] by dbogosian

Mar 09, 2010 (9:40 am)

Replying to: explorer46 (Nov 22, 2009 3:19 pm)
I also purchase my 2007 lexus es350 in June of 2007 nd have had transmission problems. I have had it in the dealer complaining of this issue since the begining and they fluffed it off by telling me that this is the way the newer lexus's shift. I dint agree. My car has 6,000 miles on it and just last month they put in a new trans. Again Iam still having the same problem. I took it back once again and they had their service manager go for a test ride with me with his diagnostic lapto attached to under my steering wheel as we took a ride. He agreed that this was happening and told me that he was going to be honest with me, that he cannot fix this car and that he doesn not like the new trans that were put in these newer lexus's. I also have a 1998 es300 lexus, never had ANY problems with it. Just this Friday, I was pulling onto a major highway at night, as I began merging onto the highway, my car would not shift into gear and hesitated a few second before it moved. Talk about scared, these cars were traveling at about 60 miles an hour, and I cant get out of the way fast enough. Iam in the process now of looking for a lemon law attorning in the state of NJ. I would so appreciate it if someone can offer some suggestions to this problem
Thank you...

Messages Page 3 of 6

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