2005 Lexus ES Complaint Log

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND LOOKS TO BE EXPANDING. THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAM AND IT STARTED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I AM VERY CONCERN THIS MAY COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG AND SAFETY. I CALLED MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AFTER HEARING ABOUT MANY OTHER MODELS BEING REPLACED BUT MY MODEL IS NOT ON THE LIST. ON CLUBLEXUS.COM, MANY USERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING BUT I AM NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE FILE A VEHICLE COMPLAINT YET. HERE IS THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/ES300-AND-ES330/657687-ES330-SHRINKING-DASH-AIRBAG-COVER.HTML. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY DISCHARGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,108. *CONSUMER REQUEST TO WITHDRAW COMPLAINT. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW THE COMPLAINT. THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB

I RECEIVED A SAFTY RECALL NOTICE FROM LEXUS INDICATING MY ENGINE CRANKSHFT PULLEY MAY LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY SAID I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LEXUS DEALER. SINCE THERE ISN'T A LEXUS DEALER IN MY HOMETOWN THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE AT LEAST 150 MILES FROM MY HOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP THAT IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. I ASKED IF THEY COULD CERTIFY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO DO THE INSPECTION AND THEY SAID NO. IF THIS DEFECT IS ON MY VEHICLE IT WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE 150 MILES TO GET TO THEIR CERTIFIED DEALER. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT ON MY WAY TO THE INSPECTION WHO IS LIABLE? THEY WILL BE. I WANT THEM TO ACCOMODATE ME BY CERTIFYING THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO DO AN INSPECTION FOR ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND ALSO WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

TRANSMISSION JERKING AND HESITATION. PROBLEM INCREASING STEADILY FOR THE PAST YEAR. WE ARE EXPERIENCING HESITATION WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND JUST WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH. UPDATED 09/16/11 *BF

THE END OF JULY 2011 I HAD NOTICED A DASHBOARD LIGHT GO ON. WARNING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ACTIVE. I HAD A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY AND COULD NOT BRING THIS VEHICLE IN TO EDISON LEXUS UNTIL 8/23/2011 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND FIXED. LEXUS OF EDISON SAID IF I REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ES 330 IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT $160.00 THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! LEXUS OF EDISON SAID THAT SENSOR IS PART OF THE SEAT FRAME AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST TO ME OF $ 3,359.50 . I CALLED LEXUS DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HELP PAY HALF . I SAID TO LEXUS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL. THIS SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE LEXUS FEDERAL SAFETY COMPONENTS US WARRANTY FOR 96 MONTHS AND 80,000 MILES,AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS IS 72 MONTHS AND 70,000 MILES . AND WHEN I HAD TAKEN THE ES330 TO THEM IT WAS IN THE ABOVE TIMEFRAME. I HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 56,224 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WAS SEPARATING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG AND FOUND THE AIR BAG WAS SEPARATING FROM THE ENCLOSED DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH SOME OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,100. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF UPDATED 08/19/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS , BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,500 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

LEXUS ACCELERATED FROM 70 TO 85 MPH. ON FREEWAY BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK OR SLOW THE CAR DOWN. PUT THE CAN IN NEUTRAL AND WENT UP ELEVATED A FREEWAY TRANSITION ROAD. CAR WAS AT 4RPMS. *TR

TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND JERKS AT ALL TIMES PUTTING THE DRIVER IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A ENDLESS LIST OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS AND LEXUS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO CORRECT IT ON THEIR OWN. I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A PULLEY PROBLEM THAT MAY CAUSE A BELT TO COME OFF BUT THEIR IS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR A DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION ISSUE, SERIOUSLY?? I HOPE SOMEONE FORCES THEM TO TAKE ACTION SOON SINCE THEY DON'T APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED WITH CUSTOMER SAFETY OR LOYALTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CRASHING INTO A STEEL POLE AND DAMAGING THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD BE NOTIFIED AT A LATER DATE OF THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

I WAS LEAVING A CAR WASH (AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN PENFIELD, NY), THE "CAR WASH" LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUT IT IN GEAR AND LIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO APPROACH THE WORKERS FOR THEM TO DRY AND VACUUM THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT IN THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE SO THAT THEY COULD VACUUM THAT AREA. THE CAR SPEED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL I TRIED TO STEER BETWEEN 2 STEEL SAFETY POST, MISSED THE WORKERS, CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AND 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC TOWARD A TELEPHONE POLE, HIT THE CURB, FLIPPED OVER, I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE CAR STOPPED RIGHT SIDE UP POINTING TOWARD THE CAR WASH. CAR WASH EMPLOYEES (AND OTHER WITNESSES) RUSHED ACROSS THE STREET AND WHEN I WOKE UP ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS WAS REMOVING MY SEAT BELT AND PULLING ME OUT THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDOW, THERE WERE MANY WITNESSES WHO THOUGHT IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I WAS STILL ALIVE AND THAT THE CAR DID NOT HIT ANY WORKERS, PEDESTRIANS OR DRIVERS OF OTHER VEHICLES WHICH HAD NOW ALL STOPPED . NO AIR-BAGS WERE RELEASED? I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL . I WAS RELEASED 4 HOURS LATER STIFF, SORE, BRUISED, MINOR CONCUSSION AND TOLD TO STAY AROUND FOR A WEEK (WE WERE PLANNING TO RETURN TO FL THE NEXT DAY) TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS. POLICE WERE ON SITE, DID A REPORT, FIREMAN WERE THERE TO CLEAN UP THE LEAKS. MY INSURANCE CO. HAS TOTALED THE CAR. I FEEL THAT LEXUS SHOULD EVALUATE THIS CAR TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL CAUSE, IT WAS NOT THE FLOOR MAT, IT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT, NOR WAS IT OPERATOR ERROR, THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL AND VERY HARD TO STEER. IF THE "LEXUS" HAD A MIND THEN IT HAD GONE CRAZY? I HAVE TALKED TO THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND READ ME THE PARTY LINE THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 ES330 LEXUS, IT'S OPERATOR ERROR? I GUESS THE OTHER 38 OWNERS OF THE 2005 ES330 THAT HAVE POSTINGS ON THIS SITE ARE ALL WRONG. BASED ON TOYOTAS (LEXUS) ATTITUDE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PRODUCT MADE BY TOYOTA. I AM HAPPY TO BE ALIVE, THANK GOD. *TR

LEXUS ES330 TRANSMISSION. SURGES. *TR

THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE LEXUS OF MEMPHIS DEALERSHIP AS USED IN 2010. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM.NOT AWARE OF ANY A EVIDENT HISTORY FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE AIRBAG CONTAINER ON THE PASSENGER DASH HAS PROGRESSIVELY CRACKED AT THE TOPICAL SEAMS OVER TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE THIS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNTIMELY DEPLOYMENT AND IF THE CONTAINER WILL GET WORSE. AT NO TIME HAS THE AIRBAG BEEN MANIPULATED, REPAIRED, ETC SINCE MY OWNERSHIP.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD CRASHING INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR SENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HIS/HER FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. UPDATED 04/19/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED A CURVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ISSUE WOULD NEED TO BE ESCALATED TO THE MANUFACTURER DUE TO DAMAGES TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DECISION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE WHICH RESULTED TO THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO THREE PARKED VEHICLES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR PAIN IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE EVIDENCE FACILITY WITH MAJOR BODY DAMAGES. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLIANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 11/16/10*BF UPDATED 11/16/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A CEMENT WALL. BOTH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/09/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 2, 2010 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, STRUCK A CURB AND THEN CRASHED INTO A CINDER BLOCK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REQUESTED THAT SHE NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNTIL THEIR INVESTIGATORS INSPECTED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

I HAVE A 2005 LEXUS E330 AND HAVE THE SIMILAR ISSUES AS OTHERS ON THIS POST. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING BUT AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, THE CAR ACCELERATES (SURGES) ALMOST ON DEMAND. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE COSTS THAT MAY BE INVOLVED. *TR

ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES HARD OFTEN. THIS CAUSES ABNORMAL RESPONSE WHILE ACCELERATING. COMPLAINED A FEW TIMES TO THE DEALER WHEN BOUGHT THIS CAR. THEY UPGRADED ECM SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. DEALER SAYS THIS IS HOW ACCELERATION BY WIRE WORKS. I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEHAVIOR WITH ANY OF MY CARS INCLUDING TOYOTA BEFORE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE LEXUS SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AS IT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT IF I'M NOT VERY AWARE DURING DRIVING WITH THIS ISSUE - LUCKILY, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT SO FAR. *TR

I HAVE THE INFAMOUS ES330 HESITATION PROBLEM WHICH IS PART OF THE SUB-STANDARD OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THE CAR. WHEN PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER NEW IN 2005, I WAS ADVISED AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES, THAT UPDATING ECC MODULE PROBABLY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT DIDN'T. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY AWARE AND BLAMED THE LAG ON TOYOTA'S "DRIVE BY WIRE? DESIGN USED ON THIS CAR. FURTHER, THEY SAID LEXUS NEW ABOUT AND PROBABLY WOULDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE NEXT MODEL YEAR. THE HESITATION IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A FULL STOP OR WHEN POWER IS REQUIRED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. TO COMPENSATE, THE DRIVER HAS TO KEEP PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS UNTIL THE CAR DECIDES TO ACCELERATE -- THEN THE DRIVER HAS TO QUICKLY EASE UP ON THE GAS TO KEEP THE CAR FROM OVER ACCELERATING. *TR

I DRIVE A 2005 ESS330 LEXUS. ON SATURDAY, FEB 13 I DROVE UP A RAMP IN A PARKING STRUCTURE AND UPON REACHING THE 2ND LEVEL IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. UPON PARKING, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BECAME LOCKED PREVENTING ME FROM MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT GREAT EFFORT. AFTER CHECKING ALL FOUR WHEELS, I CONCLUDED THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS QUITE OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THAT IT MADE CLICKING SOUNDS COMMON WHEN CARS ARE HOT. IN THE TIME IT TOOK A TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO ARRIVE, THE WHEEL HAD COOLED AND I COULD DRIVE IT OUT OF THE STRUCTURE. THE TOW TRUCK COULD NOT FIT IN THE SECOND LEVEL. MY CAR DROVE PERFECTLY! I HAD IT TOWED TO MY AUTO MECHANIC AND THEY AREN'T HAVING LUCK GETTING THE CAR TO REPEAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY ARE HESISTANT TO RELEASE IT BACK TO ME DUE TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE BRAKE LOCKING UP AGAIN ON THE ROAD INSTEAD OF JUST IN A PARKING STRUCTURE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITH LEXUS ES 330 (YEAR 2005). HAVING BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME (HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO DEALER SHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND FILED LAW SUIT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW) AND LEXUS CONTINUALLY ADVISING THAT CAR IS WORKING PROPERLY. I WAS ALMOST IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATION HESITATION PROBLEM. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO PRESENCE OF OIL SLUDGE DESPITE PROPER MAINTENANCE. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWN IN SEPTEMBER 2007. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A MONTH OR TWO. I EXPERIENCE A CONSISTENT HESITATION ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESET SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING STYLE. IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HELP. SO I'VE TAKEN IT BACK 2 TIMES SINCE AND THEY SAY IT'S THE NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE DRIVE BY WIRE AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION IN MY LEXUS ES330 APPEARS NOT TO SHIFT DOWN NORMALLY UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A FULL STOP. WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THEN ACCELERATING AND/OR SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS OR CORNERS RESULTS IN GEAR HESITATION AND LURCHING FORWARD. AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS IT APPEARS TO SLIP [NO POWER FOR A BRIEF MOMENT). I FEEL THE CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS BECAUSE THE CAR MAY NOT HAVE ACCELERATION WHEN NEEDED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CAR REPAIRED FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE WHEN THE LEXUS ES330 LOST ALL POWER. AND SINCE THE REPAIRS I AM STILL HAVING THE HESITATION ISSUES AND BRIEF LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE HENDRIX LEXUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS "HESITATION" ISSUE IS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM. I CANNOT AGREE WITH THAT CONCLUSION. THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE ES330 AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. IF I WAS TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR THIS ISSUE, IT WOULD BE THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME AT THAT SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE FOR MY LEXUS ES300. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU RECOMMEND OR IF THERE IS A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. AGAIN, LET ME STRESS, I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE IN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TRANSMISSION HESITATES FROM A STOPPED POSITION ON MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 CAUSING A FEELING THAT THE CAR MAY STALL OR LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. I PURCHASED THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO WITH 22,500 MILES. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION AND READ ABOUT IT ONLINE. APPARENTLY, LEXUS PROVIDES A "FLASH" FIX TO THE SOFTWARE. BUT, MY LOCAL LEXUS SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED NOT USING THE FIX BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THE FIX CAN CAUSE DAMAGE SOMEHOW TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER THAT IS IRREPARABLE. APPARENTLY, THE FIX IS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD FIX. I WAS TOLD THE FIX CANNOT BE SET BACK ONCE IT IS BEEN ADDRESSED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THOUSANDS OF LEXUS DEALERS HAVE BEEN EFFECTED. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY I FEEL LIKE MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD SUDDENLY AND BRIEFLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ANY GUIDANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE ABOUT THESE MATTERS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED TO REMOVE THE FLOOR MAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT REMOVE THE FLOOR MAT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2005 LEXUS MODEL ES330(VIN#[XXX] ). AFTER ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING MALL AT VERY SLOW SPEED. MY LEXUS ACCELERATED FORWARD WITH MY FOOT HARD PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, JUMPING AN ISLAND IMPACTING HEAD ON WITH THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT. THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ON BOTH CARS. REPLACED THE HOOD, GRID, BOTH HEAD LAMPS, AND FRONT BUMPER ON MY CAR. THE PASSENGER OF THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT IN THE CAR AND WAS SHOPPING IN THE MALL. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. I CALLED MY LEXUS DEALER (LEXUS OF SILVER SPRING, MD AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 2005 LEXUS ES330 WAS NOT COVERED BY TOYOTA'S RECALL FOR BRAKING OR ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. SINCE THEN, I CAREFULLY PULL THE CARPET BACK WHEN START DRIVING. HOPE YOUR INVESTIGATION WILL INCLUDE THE 2005 LEXUS ES330 MODEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC ARRIVED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED EXTREMELY HARD, CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND BECAME WORSE WITH EACH INCIDENT. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A REMEDY FOR THE ISSUE BUT THE REMEDY WOULD DESTROY THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ

NOKIAN 215/55 R17 98V XL TIRES PURCHASED JAN. '09 FOR 2005 LEXUS ES330 DO NOT HOLD AIR. FACTORY TIRES THEY REPLACED HELD AIR W/O PROBLEMS. TIRE DEALER, BORST TIRE CENTERS, 3361 SO. THOMPSON ST., SCHENECTADY, NY 12306, ATTEMPTED 3 TIMES TO CORRECT, BLAMING LOSS OF AIR ON CORROSION OF THE RIMS. ON 3RD ATTEMPT GROUND OFF THE "CORROSION" BUT LITTLE OR NO IMPROVEMENT RESULTED. MUST ADD AIR 2X WEEKLY. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG DETERIORATION (SEPARATED) ON DASHBOARD.

MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT ON 9/22/2008 WITH 30,057 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WILL AT TIMES HESITATE AND/OR SEEM TO BE UNABLE TO FIND THE CORRECT GEAR TO BE IN FOR THE SITUATION.IT SHOWS UP MOST OF THE TIME IN THE 30-45MPH RANGE BUT IT ALSO HESITATES FROM A STANDING START. AT TIMES IT "LOOKS" FOR A GEAR TO BE IN AND HESITATES THEN HARD SHIFTS IN TO A GEAR. I ALSO OWN A 2000 CAMRY AND A 2008 COROLLA AND THEIR TRANSMISSIONS WORK JUST FINE. THE LEXUS TRANSMISSION JUST WILL NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY FOR THE SPEED AND THROTTLE INPUT. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF LEXUS CARS. THE LEXUS DEALER SAYS IT IS "NORMAL". THIS CAN NOT BE NORMAL. SINCE I GET TO DRIVE TWO OTHER TOYOTA CARS WITH AUTO TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY WORK JUST FINE I CAN TELL QUITE EASILY THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. IT NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY LEXUS BEFORE THEIR IS A FATALITY DUE TO THE EXTREME LAG AT START FROM STOP CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD THE GAS PEDAL ONE QUARTER OF THE WAY DEPRESSED BEFORE THE CAR EVEN RECOGNIZED I HAD APPLIED THE THROTTLE. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT EITHER STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN WITH TRAFFIC CROSSING YOUR ROUTE OR THE VEHICLE "JUMPING" AT A START BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE PEDAL PART WAY DOWN BEFORE THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION GETS THE SIGNAL AND YOU ACCELERATE RAPIDLY FROM A DEAD STOP. CORPORATE TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM AND COME UP WITH A FIX. IT MAY HAVE TO BE A RECALL OR PERHAPS JUST A SERVICE NOTICE TO ALL 2005 LEXUS ES330'S OWNERS. WHATEVER IT TAKES IT NEEDS TO BE DONE SOON. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR

I OWN A 2005 LEXUS ES 330. LAST JUNE AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON THE 3RD LEVEL OF A PARKING GARAGE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I WAS ACTUALLY AT A STANDSTILL AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE ROARED AND PROCEEDED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE ENGINE THEN DIED DOWN. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT OBSTRUCTING THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS NOT. AT THE TIME, I CHALKED IT UP TO "A FLUKE"; HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE TOYOTA VEHICLES, I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS OCCURRENCE. I PERSONALLY DO NOT THINK THIS WAS RELATED TO THE ACCELERATOR, I THINK IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONICS. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY FURTHER OCCURRENCES; HOWEVER, IT IS WORTH A NOTATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT BECAME STUCK AND THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY. HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; YET, HE REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 2/22/10 *CN

I OWNED A 2005 LEXUS ES330 THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. ON 4/29/09 THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AFTER HER FOOT WAS OFF ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH THROUGH A STOREFRONT WALL AND WINDOWS, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BUILDING AND TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM NOR DID I, UNTIL HEARING THIS RECENT REPORT ON THE NEWS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING OUR LEXUS ES330 WITH MY WIFE FROM NJ TO CT ON A HIGHWAY. AT ONE POINT DURING THE DRIVE, REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, BUT INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING. IN PANIC I STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO OTHER CAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MESSY CRASH. IT WAS VERY SCARY. EVENTUALLY ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND THE CAR STOPPED IN LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I CAN'T BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS NOT INCLUDED THIS MODEL IN THEIR RECALL LIST. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. AND, I CHECKED IT THEN, THE MAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS NOT STUCK IN THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

CAR OUT OF CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL STREET NEAR MY HOME. SUDDEN ACCELERATION; BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP CAR AND I COULD NOT CONTROL STEERING. HIT TELEPHONE POLE THEN A PARKED CAR. THAT CAR AND MY 1905 LEXUS ES 330 WERE TOTALED. *TR

LEXUS ES330 2005 CAR SHIFTS IMPROPERLY WHEN DRIVEN AT 20-35 MPH, UNEXPECTED UP SHIFTS THAT OCCUR TO EARLY AND DOWN SHIFTS WHILE SLOWING DOWN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO MODULATE THE BRAKING TO AVOID EITHER COMING UP TO CARS IN TRAFFIC AHEAD TO QUICKLY OR TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND SO AS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT FROM BEHIND AS YOU SLOW TO QUICKLY. HAPPENS ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME BUT FORCES THE DRIVER TO BE VIGILANT CONSTANTLY TO AVOID PROBLEMS. *TR

MY 2005 LEXUS ES 330 CAUSED THE MOST HORRIBLE ACCIDENT YESTERDAY. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT ACCELERATED TO SUCH AT HIGH SPEED BACKWARDS, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND THE CAR STILL PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE, I HIT THE BRAKES AND IT STILL WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL I SLAMMED INTO A TREE. I WAS COMPLETELY HELPLESS. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE TREE, I WOULD HAVE GONE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON THE MAIN ROAD. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND AM PRETTY BANGED UP. MY NECK & BACK ARE IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN AND MY HAND MUST HAVE SLAMMED INTO MY SIDE WINDOW AND IS CUT, BRUISED, AND SWOLLEN TO 5 TIMES THE SIZE OF MY OTHER HAND. THE POLICE HAD MY CAR TOWED AND THE WHOLE BACK OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED ALMOST TO THE BACK SEAT WITH THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT HAVE A TREE TO STOP THE CAR AND MAY NOT SURVIVE. *TR

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CAR SPED UP TO A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. I SWERVED IN AND ABOUT THE CARS IN THE PARKING LOT AND HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE SPEED, BRAKING OR STEERING. I EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 200 YDS. BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND BOUNCING OVER AT LEAST FOUR CURBS. NO PHYSICAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERS FOR INSPECTION. *TR

2005 LEXUS ES 330 DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMPS. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, ESPECIALLY ON ROADS WITH NO STREET LIGHTS, REFLECTORS OR LANE MARKINGS. THERE IS A SHARP CUTOFF OF LIGHT ABOUT 40-50 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR BEYOND WHICH THERE IS LITTLE OR NO LIGHT CAST ON THE ROADWAY SURFACE. REFLECTIVE SIGNS CAN BE SEEN FARTHER AWAY BUT ONE CANNOT HELP BUT OVERDRIVE THE LIGHTS AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 20MPH BECAUSE NOTHING ON THE ROAD ITSELF IS ILLUMINATED. THE LOW BEAMS SEEM TO BE DELIBERATELY AIMED AT THE GROUND 40-50' AWAY. LIGHT IN THE 40-50' ZONE IN FRONT OF THE CAR IS ADEQUATE. BEYOND THAT IT IS NOT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JAN 2005 AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT ARISE UNTIL 2-3 YEARS LATER, OR AT LEAST THAT'S WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT. THE DEALER CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND STATED THE HIGH INTENSITY LIGHTS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED TO RAISE THE CUTOFF POINT(LIGHTS ARE SELF LEVELING) AND THAT THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING NORMALLY. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM IF THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THEIR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD BETWEEN MY CAR AND THEIRS. HOWEVER ON A DARK STREET WITH NO ONCOMING CARS IT'S LIKE DRIVING INTO A POOL OF DARKNESS PAST THE 40-50 FOOT CUTOFF OF LIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN ON A PITCH BLACK ROAD, BUT THAT'S NOT A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CAR WITHOUT CHECKING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIGHTS ON A DARK ROAD. LEXUS NEEDS TO FIX THIS - IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IN NOW IN THE MID 40S. THIS CONDITION IS ONGOING, NOT INTERMITTENT. *TR

ON AUGUST 6, 2008, I WAS DRIVING HOME, WHEN I WAS MAYBE A FEW MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP,WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO ALMOST 100MPH, WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM STOPPED, THE RESULT WAS THAT THE VEHICLE CROSSED OVER FOUR LANES JUMPED A CURB AND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A NEARBY HOUSE. I SPENT DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, AND NOW I HAVE A FRACTURED KNEE, BROKEN THUMB, AND MAY CUTS AND BRUISES. THIS WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE, AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS, PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE VEHICLE HESITATES ABNORMALLY WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 12/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

ALMOST COLLISION. WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, CAR HESITATES, CREATING HAZARD. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR UPDATED 9/17/13*CN

WHEN I ACCELERATE, THE CAR HESITATES AND ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING TO AVOID OTHER CARS OR CHANGING LANES OR MAKING TURNS. *JS