2004 Lexus ES330

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/22/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2008 I HAD THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR JERKING BETWEEN 40-60MPH AND HAD THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE MY CONCERNS WHICH I TOOK THE CAR TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH THEY NEVER FOUND; I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL 2004 330ES AND THE PROBLEM WASN'T DETECTED. SO I DROVE THIS CAR FOR ALL THE YEARS I HAVE IT WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS; UNTIL 12/19/2015 THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WHEN I WAS ENROUTE TO ANOTHER TOWN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SLOWED DOWN AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE THE ENGINE; WHEN DOING SO THE CAR MADE AN ARKWARD SOUND; SO I BEGAN TO TURN AROUND AND HEAD BACK HOME FROM WHERE I WAS IT WAS 8 MILES BACK; AND THE CAR WAS JERKING AND SHAKING TO WHERE IT WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND STILL PULLING; I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT OVER THE WEEKEND; AND THEY FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM CODE P0303 CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE AND PO353 IGNITION COIL, WHICH WAS THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND IT BECAUSE AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO LIGHT INDICATOR ON; BUT NOW THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED FOR WHICH THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WAS RELIABLE FOR THE PAYMENT. $500 LATER THE PROBLEM DISCOVERED. ALSO RECALL ON THE ISSUE BUT NOT THE VEHICLE I OWN; SINCE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS I FEEL THAT THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED MY VEHICLE AND A REFUND DUE.

• 12/22/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR RAPIDLY DECREASES SPEED WHEN ONE LETS UP ON THE ACCELERATOR. CARS FOLLOWING HAVE NO WARNING OF THIS AS THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. I HAVE HAD THREE VERY CLOSE CALLS OF A REAR END COLLISION. THE ACTION DOES NOT TAKE PLACE ALL THE TIME, SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOUNT FOR IT BY DIFFERENT DRIVING. *JB

• 12/21/2016· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

• 12/21/2004· POWER TRAIN,SEATS

  VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHEN NEED TO ACCELERATE. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CAUSED A DELAY BETWEEN THE DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE RESPONSE BY THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP BETWEEN SHIFTS AND THE DRIVER SEAT SQUEAKED. *SC

• 12/11/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION IS ERRATIC SHIFTING THROUGH SECOND AND THIRD. IT SLIPS AND HESITANT WHEN SHIFTING UP. WHEN SHIFTING DOWN IT IS ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT. THIS CREATES A IN TRAFFIC SAFETY SITUATION. LEXUS OF SARASOTA SERVICE MANAGER, FIRST COMPLAINT, RESET THE COMPUTER. ON THE SECOND COMPLAINT, SIMPLY STATED THAT LEXUS IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS BUT SINCE THE TRANSMISSION HASN'T FAILED THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THE DEFICIENCY. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY. *JB

• 12/08/2015· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER IS SEPARATING FROM THE DASH. I APPEARS TO BE RISING UP FROM ITS FLAT POSITION ON THE DASH AND I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT DEPLOY AND INJURE A PASSENGER. IS THIS A TAKATA AIRBAG?

• 12/05/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330 HAS A MALFUNCTIONING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THERE IS A LIGHT THAT SAYS PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF THAT IS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THERE IS A GAP IN THE HOUSING WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED ON THE DASH OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM CONSUMERS WITH SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME MAKE/MODEL. PLEASE ADD THIS VEHICLE TO THE RECALL.

• 11/29/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  THE JENCI'S CONTEND THAT MRS. JENCI PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT THEN SURGED, MADE A LOUD SOUND AND LUNGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. *NM

• 11/28/2005· POWER TRAIN

  VERY BAD HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. TOOK DELIVERY 4/27/04 AND FOUND THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. COMPLAINED AT 1000 MILE CHECKUP. TOLD TO GIVE IT TIME. COMPLAINED AGAIN AT 5000 CHECKUP. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND IT WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. PROBLEM CONTINUED. COMPLAINED AT 15000 CHECKUP (9/28/05). PERFORMED AT THIS CHECKUP PER INVOICE: EG5017 26 99 .9 PERFORM TSB TC004-03. RECALIBRATE ECM ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM IS BETTER BUT STILL EXISTS. HAVE NOTICED VIA INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS ES. SPOKE TODAY (11/28/05) WITH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT MY DEALERSHIP AND HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THEY ARE DEALING WITH AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO ONE GOOD FIX FOR IT. *JB

• 11/27/2006· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) ON MY 2004 ES 330 ENGAGES ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE. WHEN THE VSC ENGAGES THE COMPUTER TAKES OVER CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATION AND BREAKING SYSTEMS. ITS PRIMARY GOAL IS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. WHEN THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND ENGAGES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN A NORMAL TURN OR CURVE THE VSC COMPUTER WILL TAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FORCE IT TO TRAVEL IN WHAT IT BELIEVES IS A STRAIGHT LINE, PLACING THE DRIVER, OCCUPANTS, AND NEARBY VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS IN JEOPARDY. BEING FORCED TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM COMPLETING A CURVE OR TURN AND FORCES THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ACROSS TRAFFIC LANES AND OFF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VSC ENGAGES DUE TO A MALFUNCTION, THE VEHICLE IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES, TWICE WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND ARE UNWILLING TO REPLACE ANY PARTS UNLESS THERE IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTION. *NM

• 11/27/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKES ON MY NEWLY LEASED 2004 LEXUS 330 DO NOT ENGAGE WITH PRESSURE FOR THE INITIAL 1/2 TO 1 INCH OF PRESSURE AND ARE INCONSISTANT. THEY ALSO MAKE A DISTRACTING AND IRRITATING KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS RELEASED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD ME THE BRAKES WERE FINE, BUT THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT.

• 11/23/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  UPON STARTING AND PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE ENGINE EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION. CAR IT BACKED ACROSS A THE TRAFFIC LANE IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED STUCK TWO PARKED CARS AND ENDED UP ON TOP OF A PLANTING AREA AFTER HITTING A TREE PLANTED THERE. POLICE WERE CALLED AND RESPONDED. THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC BUT COULD NOT FIND A VISIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. *TR

• 11/23/2004· POWER TRAIN

  1. CAR HESITATES, TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT SMOOTHLY. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES. DELAER "RESET TRANSMISSION". NO HELP WITH PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/17/2005· POWER TRAIN

  WE HAVE A 2004 LEXUS ES330 WITH 22,000 MILES. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION, HARD SHIFTS AND MISSED GEARS FOR THE LAST 10,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE AT 16,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS A LITTLE BETTER BUT NOT MUCH. I TOOK IT BACK IN FOR THE PROBLEM AT 21,000 MILES AND THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT LEXUS TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH A NUMBER OF THE ES CARS AFTER THE MODULE WAS CHANGED BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TELL THE DEALER TO FIX IT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH LEXUS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING IN THE ES. ALTHOUGH BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BOTH ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THEM TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER 1/3 OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD THE CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 2 MORE WEEKS FOR A LEXUS REP TO COME INTO TOWN TO "TALK TO ME". THE LEXUS PEOPLE TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO MY COMPLAINTS AND CALL ME BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND 10 DAYS LATER I STILL HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM. NOT ONLY DO I FIND THE PROBLEM VERY ANNOYING I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE HESITATION PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, AND I AM QUITE SURE THAT THE ERRATIC SHIFTING WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

• 11/16/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  CRUISE CONTROL DOING 5-10MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR SURGED FOWARD AND EVEN BRAKING I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME

• 11/16/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ELECTRONIC GAS PEDAL - WHEN AT LOW SPEED OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE CAR HESITATES FOR 1.5 SECONDS OR MORE BEFORE RESPONDING AND THEN ACCELERATES VERY FAST. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZZARD WHEN TRING TO ENTER OR CROSS BUSY HIGHWAYS. THE DEALER SAYS ALL THE 2004 7 2005 MODELS DO IT. IT IS A CONSTANT COMPLAINT. LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF IT BUT HAVE NO CURE. A SAFETY WARNING AND RECALL SHOPULD BE ISSUED.*AK

• 11/12/2004· POWER TRAIN

  UPON ACCELERATION THERE WAS A LONG PAUSE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ACCELERATED TO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSE TO OPERATE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS SEARCHING FOR A GEAR WHEN HE IS TRYING TO SPEED UP. *TC

• 11/07/2016· AIR BAGS

  NO ONE HAS NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL OF MY TOYOTA LEXUS 2004 MODEL 330 TO LET US KNOW IF WE NEED THE AIRBAGS REPLACED.

• 11/03/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER WAS WARPED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

• 11/02/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS CONDITION WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK *NM

• 10/30/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE 2004 LEXUS ES330 TRANSMISSION HAS A NUMBER OF OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO POOR DRIVEABILITY, BUT TWO IN PARTICULAR ARE SAFETY-RELATED HAZARDS:(1) A HESITATION ON ACCELERATION WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS AND(2) A FORWARD LURCH WHEN DECELERATING TO A STOP WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ROADS ARE COVERED WITH SNOW OR ICE.*JB

• 10/29/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I REPORTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ON MARCH 2, 2006 AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING A 2004 LEXUS 330 ON JANUARY 28, 2006 IN TUCSON ARIZONA. I REPORTED THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF MY ACCIDENT TO THE LEXUS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER (LCSC). I FOLLOWED UP WITH A LETTER INCLUDING MY NHTSA WEBSITE REPORT, OTHER NHTSA REPORTS OF SIMILAR TYPES OF ACCIDENTS WITH LEXUS ES330, POLICE REPORT FOR MY ACCIDENT AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION THAT LED TO THE ACCIDENT. A TECHNICIAN FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. CAME TO THE LEXUS DEALER IN TUCSON AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR-LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. INDICATING THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT CONCLUDED "IT (MY VEHICLE) WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT THE TIME " OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS LETTER DID NOT INCLUDE AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT. I WROTE ANOTHER LETTER TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR STATING THAT HE HAD NOT ACCURATELY DESCRIBED THE ACCIDENT DETAILS AND I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT. I RECEIVED A LETTER ON JUNE 6, 2006 FROM THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR STATING THAT "WHILE I (THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR) HAD THE SCENARIO INCORRECT, THE CIRCUMSTANCES REMAIN THE SAME. THAT OVERSIGHT ON MY (CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR) PART HAS NO BEARING ON THE TESTING CONDUCTED BY THE LEXUS FIELD TECHNICIAN." THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT "BE ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT OUR POLICY TO RELEASE OUR INTERNAL REPORTS". I SENT A FOLLOW UP LETTER VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR ON JUNE 6, 2006 REQUESTING THAT AN EXCEPTION TO THE POLICY BE MADE IN MY CASE AND ASKING AGAIN TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT. I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO MY LETTER. THUS, I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. *NM

• 10/28/2014· AIR BAGS

  AROUND JANUARY 2014 (BUT IT COULD HAVE STARTED SOONER) I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG STARTED LOOKING LIKE THE EDGES ARE PEELING AWAY FROM REST OF THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE AREA AROUND THE AIRBAG IS PULLING AWAY AND THE AIRBAG ITSELF LOOKS SO STRETCHED I FEAR THE AIRBAG IS GOING TO DEPLOY. I AM AFRAID TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I WORRY THAT ANY BUMP COULD CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT INJURING SOMEONE. *TR

• 10/28/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A VERY LOW RATE OD SPEED. ACCELERATOR STUCK AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. CAR SPED UP AND HIT FOUR OTHER CARS. TOTAL DAMAGE TO ALL CARS EXCEEDED $40,000.00 AND MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN AIR BAG INFLATED. *TR

• 10/26/2014· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

  THERE IS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OF MY CAR. IT IS PROTRUDING AROUND THE AREA OF THE AIRBAG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP ON JULY 14, 2014, FOR THIS PROBLEM. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY DASH BOARD AND IT WOULD COST ME OVER 2,500 DOLLAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE EVER. THIS IS TRULY A VERY STRESSFUL AND UNCERTAINTY WONDERING EVERYTIME I GET INTO MY CAR, AFRAID AND HOPING THAT THE AIRBAG DOES NOT EXPLODED. BASED ON THE RECALL OF MY CAR MODEL, MAKE I NEED TO BE CONTACTED ON THE NEXT ACTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE BACK. THANK YOU KINDLY. *TR

• 10/24/2004· POWER TRAIN

  COMPLAINT RELATING TO LEXUS ES 330. TRANSMISSION AND ACCELLERATION HAVE BEEN UNSATISFACTORY SINCE PURCHASE. CAR IS MOMENTARILY UNRESPONSIVE TO ACCELLERATOR WHEN GAS APPLIED. DEALER SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE NOTED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHIFTING BETWEEN 1 AND 2 AND 2 AND 3 IS HESITANT AND THERE IS A LONGER HESITATION THAN I HAVE NOTED WITH OTHER CARS. THIS CAR MODEL CANNOT BE RELIED UPON TO ACCELLERATE ON DEMAND. I BELIEVE THAT THIS REPRESENTS A SAFELY RISK IN THE EVENT THAT ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE SHOULD REQUIRE PREDICTALBE ACCELLERATOR RESPONCE. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS AND ON GOING PROBLEM.*AK

• 10/23/2014· AIR BAGS

  NO ACCIDENT- THE PASSENGER AIR BAG- THE COVER IS RAISE AND THE EDGES TURNED UP AS IF READY TO OPEN-WE FEAR DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER -THE NEWS TODAY SAID THERE IS A RECALL-WHAT DO WE DO. *TR

• 10/10/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, I CONTINUED TO BOUNCE OFF THE WALL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD STOP. I FELT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED OR THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER, THEY CALLED ME BACK 30 MINUTES LATER AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR AND I COULD PICK IT UP. I FELT AS IF I HAVE BEEN "BLOWN OFF' AND I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICES AND PLACED A COMPLAINT, HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE STILL REMAINS UNRESOLVED. THE FORM WILL NOT LET ME ENTER THE CORRECT MODEL OF MY CAR, IT IS AN ES330 NOT AND RX. *LA

• 10/07/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES 330. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL BUT BOTH HAD NEVER FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT TWO COMPUTERS THAT CONTROLLED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

• 09/29/2004· POWER TRAIN

  ON MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH IN SHIFTING AND HESTITATES FROM A ROLLING OR FULL STOP SITUATION SUCH AS TRAFFIC. THIS HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT EITHER BY BEING REARENDED OR BROADSIDED. I HAVE RAISED THIS QUESTION WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *AK

• 09/27/2011· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  IGNITION KEY HOUSING/CASE CONTAINING METAL KEY BLADE AND ELECTRONIC REMOTE TRANSMITTER FOR UNLOCKING/LOCKING DOOR CRACKED ALLOWING TRANSMITTER TO FALL OUT. INQUIRY WAS MADE WITH DEALERSHIP ON REPLACEMENT. INFORMED KEY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - CONSIDERED TO BE LIKE TIRES OR WIPER BLADES. REPLACEMENT COST $200.00 PER KEY. USED TAPE TO HOLD KEY AND TRANSMITTER TOGETHER AND USED SECOND REMOTE KEY. SECOND KEY HOUSING CRACKED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. USED TAPE TO ALSO HOLD TOGETHER. KEY CASE CAME APART IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT AND TRANSMITTER WAS LOST. KEY WOULD UNLOCK DOOR BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. FEMALE STRANDED ALONE AT NIGHT WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. CALLED WRECKER - QUOTED $80 FOR NIGHT PICKUP AND TOW TO DEALERSHIP. A FRIEND WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND RIDE HOME INSTEAD. NEXT DAY, BEFORE TOWING, CALLED DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE WHAT WOULD CAUSE CAR NOT TO START. INFORMED CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT CHIP INSIDE (LOST) TRANSMITTER. RETURNED TO CAR WITH SECOND (CRACKED) KEY AND WAS ABLE TO START AND DRIVE HOME. KEY HOUSING DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE AND MANUFACTURE IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE GOING BACK 10 YEARS FOR LEXUS AND TOYOTA MODELS. WILL NOT REPLACE BROKEN KEYS WITHOUT PAYMENT OF $200.00 PER REPLACEMENT KEY !!! THIS IS A RIPOFF !!! INTERNET SEARCH AND CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER LEXUS OWNERS CONFIRM SAME EXPERIENCES. LEXUS MAKES A DEFECTIVE KEY FOR PROBABLY $10 COST AND WANTS CONSUMER TO PAY $200 TO REPLACE. BROKEN PLASTIC KEY HOUSING CAN CUT SKIN ON FINGERS. LOST TRANSMITTER MAKES THE REST OF KEY WORTHLESS. LEAVES OWNER STRANDED AND POSSIBLY INCURRING TOWING FEES BECAUSE OF A CHEAP PLASTIC KEY HOUSING THAT MANUFACTURE WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE. *TT

• 09/26/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  2004 LEXUS ES330. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET AND PLUNGED IN HIS NEIGHBOR'S BRICK FENCE COMPLETELY DAMAGING THE CAR, WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY DECLARED TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED, THE FLOOR MAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT A CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOTED, THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT SECURED AND THE HOOKS WERE MISSING. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE NO HOOKS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND THE FLOOR MAT ISSUE WAS NEVER DISCUSSED ON THE NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE WENT TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER SERVICES. *JB UPDATED 11/05/12

• 09/23/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM HESITATED AND AS A RESULT, THE COMPUTER MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UP TO THEIR STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

• 09/19/2006· SEAT BELTS

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR MIDDLE SHOULDER BELT WAS PULLED AND WRAPPED AROUND THE NECK OF THE CHILD WHILE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD SEAT WAS INSTALLED BY THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE SEATBELT RETRACTED AND LOCKED, BUT WOULD NOT EXTEND EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE HOLD ON THE CHILD'S NECK. THE SERVICE DEALER HAD NO SOLUTION, BUT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

• 09/17/2008· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  DISCONNECTED AC DRAIN HOSE CAUSED LEAK UNDER PASSENGER-SIDE CARPETS. HUMIDITY ISSUES/DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAUSED SERIOUS FOGGING ON WINDOWS REPEATEDLY OVER 4 YEARS. COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM UNTIL WE TOOK APART CAR AND LIFTED CARPET. COULD BECOME A SERIOUS MOLD ISSUE. ODD SMELL IN VENTILATION SYSTEM. WE BELIEVE IT CAME THIS WAY FROM THE FACTORY AND WAS POSSIBLY KNOCKED LOOSE WHEN THE CARPETING WAS INSTALLED. IT WAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. WE STERILIZED IT AND AIRED IT OUT FOR A FEW DAYS WITH A HIGH POWERED FAN. HAD TO REMOVE THE SEAT TO GET TO IT AND GLOVE BOX. NOT EASY. PROBLEM RECTIFIED NOW. NO HUMIDITY ISSUES. CHANGED CABIN FILTER. NO MORE BAD ODORS WHEN USING THE DEFROSTER. DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL.*TR

• 09/17/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND HESITATION IN ACCELERATION. HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES SINCE OCT 2006. DEALER "REPROGRAMS" THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT DOES NOTHING. *TR

• 09/16/2005· POWER TRAIN

  2004 ES 330 EXHIBITING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER "DEALER FIX". THERE IS SEVER GEAR HUNTING AT EVERY SPEED SOMETIMES RESULTS IN A LAG OF ACCELERATION OR ACCELERATION LURCHES THAT RESULT IN CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS. NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT START OCCURRING UNTIL AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AS BRAND NEW. *NM

• 09/14/2004· POWER TRAIN

  2004 LEXUS ES330. TRANSMISSION HESITATES, SLUGGISH, SLOW TO RESPOND, HICCUPPS, UPSHIFTS/DOWNSHIFTS FREQUENTLY.

• 09/12/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I WAS RIDING THE BRAKE INTO A PARKING SPACE AND WAS ALMOST FINISHED PARKING (MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE) WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND TRAVELED THROUGH A SHORT WOODED AREA THEN OVER A 12 FOOT DROP TO A ROAD WITH TRAFFIC BELOW. THE FRONT OF THE CAR CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL, CRASHED BACK INTO THE STONE WALL THAT THE CAR FLEW OVER, AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FROM WHERE IT FLEW OVER THE DROP. AIRBAG DEPLOYED, SEATBELT WAS ON. I WAS TAKEN TO THE ER VIA AMBULANCE WITH A BROKEN NOSE, CONCUSSION, BRUISING... AND HAVE ONGOING SORENESS, STIFFNESS, DIZZINESS... *TR

• 09/12/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE HESITATES THEN LURCHES FORWARD. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE MANY ACCIDENTS AND MIGHT EVEN END UP IN INJURY OR DEATH!!*AK

• 09/10/2004· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: THE CAR GETS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING TO SECOND GEAR.*AK

• 09/09/2006· POWER TRAIN

  OUR 2004 LEXUS E330 HAS EXHIBITED MANY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS INVOLVING ITS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE. OF GREATEST CONCERNS ARE LIFE THREATENING INSTANCES OVER THE TWO YEARS. HESITATIONS OCCUR WHEN PRESSING THE GAS DURING CRITICAL ENTRY ATTEMPTS ONTO INTERSTATE HWYS, ETC. WHERE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NEAR DEADLY TRANSMISSION HESITATIONS OF NEEDED POWER GETTING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. MY WIFE WAS ALMOST KILLED BY AN 18 WHEELER WHEN SHE OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE HAD ADEQUATE TIME TO SAFELY MERGE HAD THE TRANSMISSION NOT HESITATED. SHE WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED. JUST ONE OF MANY CLOSE CALLS. ANOTHER ES 330 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS THE UNTENABLE, UNTIMELY, ROUGH DOWN AND UP SHIFTING BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND GEARS THAT LEXUS HAS ADVISED HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN THE 2007 MODELS WHICH OF COURSE WILL NOT HELP WITH THIS VEHICLE I AM STUCK WITH. SUCH ADMITTANCE SUPPORT MY ARGUMENT THAT THEY ARE QUITE AWARE OF THIS VERY UN- LEXUS TYPE PERFORMANCE IN THE 2004. WHAT A SHAME THAT LEXUS WOULD LET THE GREAT LEXUS NAME BE SO DEGRADED BY THEIR FAILURE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS IN SUCH JUSTIFIED COMPLAINTS; THIS IS OUR THIRD LEXUS! *JB

• 09/09/2004· POWER TRAIN

  04 LEXUS ES 330. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH (ESPECIALLY "ROLLING STOPS"), VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AT LEAST 2-3 SECOND LAG BETWEEN THROTTLE ACTUATION AND ENGINE/TRANSMISSION RESPONSE. THIS PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHEN PULLING OUT INTO BUSY TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY LEXUS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL.*AK

• 09/08/2007· POWER TRAIN

  THE 2004 LEXUS MODEL ES 330 HAS A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE ITS TRANSMISSION THAT THE COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX. WHEN THE DRIVER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS AND SLOWS DOWN, THEN STEPS BACK ON THE GAS, THERE IS A HESITATION AND AT TIMES A JERKING IN THE TRANSMISSION. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO LEXUS HAVE ONLY BROUGHT THE RESPONSE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, BUT LEXUS WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER SPENDING 35,000 DOLLARS FOR A CAR, THIS IS NOT THE RESPONSE ONE EXPECTS TO HEAR! AS ONE'S LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION WITH THE PROBLEM INCREASES, THE TEMPTATION IS TO SLAM YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WHICH COULD OBVIOUSLY LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS ISSUES. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP STATES HE HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT LEXUS REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE DATE REFERENCED BELOW IS ONLY ONE OF CONTINUOUS DATES THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED; AGAIN LEXUS HAS BEEN NON RESPONSIVE AND BLATANTLY CALLOUS TO REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 09/07/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2004 LEXUS ES 330 DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING.*MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOISEY WHEN PRESSED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. *NM

• 09/07/2005· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 ES330 I AM BECOMING VERY CONCERNED WITH MY NEW 2004 LEXUS. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOUR (4) TIMES NOW WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SERVICE CENTER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE... MY 1999 LEXUS DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND I AM PERPLEXED ON WHY I AM BEING TOLD IT IS ME AND NOT THE CAR. THIS LAST SERVICE CALL ON AUGUST 22ND I WAS TOLD TO USE A HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. I HAVE NOW GONE THROUGH A TANK OF THE HIGH GRADE GAS AND MY TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING. I NOTICE IT WHEN I SLOW TO NEGOTIATE A TURN, WHEN I AM DRIVING BETWEEN 15 AND 20 MILES PER HOUR, ALSO NOW WHEN I AM MERGING INTO TRAFFIC EITHER SLOW OR FROM A STOP THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD WITH A KICK.. I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE SHUTTLED AROUND EVERY DAY AND I AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL.. I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER BUT THE FEELING I AM GETTING IS THAT THEY THINK I AM CRAZY. THIS IS DUE TO THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, I DON'T NEED EXTRA HORSE POWER WITH THE HIGHER GRADE OF GAS, THE LEXUS HAS PLENTY OF POWER... CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER? THIS TRANSMISSION IS JUNK... I HAVE HAD MY HUSBAND DRIVE THE CAR AND HE CONCURS THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES SLIP AND HE FEELS IT MUST BE SOME TYPE OF MODULATOR THAT IS NOT GETTING THE FLUID TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.. I HAVE LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND WITH THIS PROBLEM IT FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH 150,000 MILES ON IT... I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE NOR SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR... PLEASE HELP... I HAVE CALLED LEXUS 2 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR WHEN I FIRST FELT THE IRREGULAR SHIFTING PATTERNS.. THINKING IT WOULD GET BETTER I WAITED UNTIL MY 1000 MILE SERVICE CHECK TO BRING IT UP A AGAIN.. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. *JB

• 09/05/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTING LURCH BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH STILL RE-OCCURRING AFTER TWO SOFTWARE PROGRAM UPDATES. *TR

• 09/04/2008· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2004 ES330, WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE ON A 15 MPH SPEED, THE CAR INSTEAD SURGE FORWARD WITH A VERY HIGH SPEED AND SHE HEARD A ROAMING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR RAN UP A CURB AND SHE MANAGED TO AVOID HITTING THE TREES AND WALL. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AND SHE IS NOT GOING TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. LEXUS DEALER SIMPLY SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I DID RESEARCH ON THIS NHTSA DATA AND FOUND A LOTS OF SAME COMPLAINS AGAINST ES330 AND ES350. I AM VERY UPSET BY THE WAY LEXUS HANDLED THE ISSUE. *TR

• 09/03/2014· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES IT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB, FLIPPED OVER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

• 09/02/2004· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK