2005 Lexus ES

I have a better picture… ODI = 11773574 Please consider expanding the recall …

Description of Defect: The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) experienced an adhesive bond failure between its inner hub and outer metal ring, mirroring the exact factory defect in NHTSA Campaign 11V539000 (Lexus Campaign BLG). The issue manifested directly following an air conditioning Freon recharge at a licensed automotive service facility. Restoring the correct system pressure introduced normal mechanical load back onto the compressor accessory drive belt. The defective factory adhesive could not withstand standard operating resistance, causing the outer ring of the pulley to immediately begin slipping against its internal torsional rubber damper. This resulted in a chronic, severe rotational squeak during startup and accessory engagement due to the structural failure of the pulley's vulcanized rubber layer. Why this needs federal review: NHTSA Campaign 11V539000 strictly cuts off coverage for the 2005 Lexus ES 330 at a production date of late March 2005. My vehicle was manufactured in May 2005—mere weeks outside the boundary—and features the identical 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6 powertrain and pulley assembly. The vehicle has only 82,750 miles and a meticulously documented 5-to-7-year service history showing proper maintenance. Because this component failed identically under standard operating loads, it is clearly the defective batch of adhesive extended past the manufacturer's assumed cutoff. The campaign must be expanded to cover later 2005 production dates.

Authorized dealership service department (Toyota West/Germain Automotive Group) performed structural repairs and released a vehicle back to me as safe. I operated this vehicle on public highways with my child. Upon subsequent inspection, the same dealership declared the vehicle a 'Total Loss' due to structural frame damage caused by their own technician. The dealership knowingly allowed a structurally compromised, unsafe vehicle to be driven off their lot without disclosing the safety risks.

FORMAL COMPLAINT: CONSUMER FRAUD & SAFETY VIOLATION Dealership: Germain Toyota West (Columbus, OH) Case Reference: #[XXX] ​To the Consumer Protection Division: ​I am filing a formal complaint regarding Theft by Deception, Gross Negligence, and Reckless Endangerment by this dealership. ​1. THEFT & BILLING FRAUD On Oct 24, 2025, the dealership charged me $455.00 for labor to install rear sway bar links. I provided my own parts. The technician (Maciah Houpe) failed to install the parts but still charged me. He later admitted via text message: "I did not do your rear links... you didn't pay for rear links." The dealership has refused to refund this money despite the written confession. ​2. PROPERTY DESTRUCTION During the attempted repair, the technician used excessive force and bent the vehicle's "wheel rod" (Tie Rod), destroying the steering geometry. The technician later admitted to a witness that he was fired for "bending the wheel rod" on my vehicle. ​3. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT (SAFETY VIOLATION) The dealership released the vehicle to my family on Oct 26, representing it as "safe." After a near-miss incident on [XXX] where the steering failed at highway speeds, Management admitted to my wife that they knew the vehicle "might be lucky to make it to the North Side" before failing. They knowingly released a vehicle with a critical safety defect onto a public highway. ​4. RETALIATION When I contacted Toyota Corporate to complain, the technician texted me: "You blew up the spot comi

[XXX] : “for parts it's $375. I'll drop the labor down to $80 for $455 total…”You: “Well I already have the sway bar links but yes that's fine bro. [XXX] : “Got it let me see if I can change the order real quick. [XXX] : “Got it changed 👍🏽”Screenshot that whole block.Text 2 – “Good to go” / work doneFind where he talks about finishing and testi [XXX] ah: “Got the rear brakes done, fighting the links right no [XXX] ah: “First ones out 👍🏽 should be [XXX] ciah: “Got it done, about to test drive and bring it up”Screenshot from “Got the rear brakes done” through “bring it up.”Text 3 – Apology and refund offerFind this [XXX] ciah: “XXX bro it was smooth when I test drove it. I can't do anything until 5 tomorrow. I'll send your money back too, I apologize about that.“I definitely got everything tight… If you can pull up at 5 tomorrow I'll check it over.”Screenshot that entire message.Text 4 – “Through me not Toyota / blew up the spot / arm and a leg”Find the long message from later:“At home, brother you did work through me not Toyota. They can't help you with anything…“You blew up the spot coming through Toyota. I can't even have your car in the shop now without you going through them first and charging you an arm and a leg.“I tried to do something nice for you… you ha [XXX] ‑old vehicle…” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Passenger dash airbag is coming apart at the seems.

Severe vibration from 30-70mph when acceleration, outboard boot split/slinging grease on left/right sides. CV axle has alot of movement. Right and Left axle shaft needs removed and replaced.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADES THEREBY CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO APPEAR EXTREMELY DIM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

MY PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON FRONT DASH HAS BEEN SLOWLY BEEN LIFTING AND SEPARATING THOUGH THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IS THE AIRBAG GOING TO IMPLODE ONE DAY ON A PASSENGER WITHOUT US KNOWING? IT IS LOOKING SCARY BUT I SEE THERE IS NO RECALL.

JUST BOUGHT CAR TODAY. HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THEY PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT IR STARTED ROLLING. HAD TO RESTART IN NEUTRAL AND PUT IN PARK AGAIN. WHEN I LEFT WENT TO AUTO PARTS STORE AND PARKED AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. AS I WAS GETTING OUT REALIZED CAR WAS ROLLING. I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT PUTTING IN NEUTRAL. SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK AND IT STOPPED THIS TIME.

DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND MAKING THE GLARE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR SOME TIME. JUST NOW FINDING OUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS. IT HAS LARGE BUMPS ON THE MELTING DASHBOARD. STARTED DOING THIS AROUND MAY, 2012.

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS BULGING AND HAS SEPARATED ALONG THE SEAM NEAREST THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO SHRINKAGE OF THE DASH. THIS MAY IMPACT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND CAUSE INJURY.

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL COLLISION, VEHICLE MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET..

I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY UP AN AISLE IN A PARKING LOT AND SPOTTED A SHADY PLACE ON MY LEFT JUST NEXT TO A CAR ALREADY PARKED. I MOVED IN SLOWLY AT 90DEGREE ANGLE TO SET THE CAR INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ALREADY ON THE BRAKE. I PRESSED DOWN THE BRAKE FURTHER AS THE CAR WAS ABOUT TO BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE. SUDDENLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED AT WHAT SEEMED FULL THROTTLE INTO A BRICK RETAINING WALL 9-10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR BACKED DOWN IN THE PARKING SPACE WHERE IT IMMOBILIZED. THE ACCELERATION WAS SUDDEN AND UNCONTROLABLE. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OUT. THE SHOCK AGAINST THE WALL RESULTED IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR BEING DAMAGED AND A PASSENGER I HAD IN THE FRONT SEAT (WE BOTH HAD OUR BELTS ON) GOT A COMPRESSION FRACTURE TO THE LOWER SPINE AND HAS BEEN BEDRIDDEN EVER SINCE. *JS

MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES PERIODICALLY RESULTING IN CLOSE-CALL ACCIDENTS. THERE IS NO WARNING SIGN OF WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP (HEYWARD ALLEN TOYOTA) WHERE I BROUGHT THE USED VEHICLE IN 2008. ONE OF THE SALESMEN DROVE WITH ME AROUND THE DEALERSHIP AND DECIDED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I LEARNED 24-HOURS AFTER THE PURCHASE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING IT WHICH WAS NOT REVEALED. I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM PUTTING MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS IN DANGER. *TR

MY WIFE ENTERED AN INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW EXPLODED ON IMPACT AND SHE WAS HIT WITH FLYING GLASS IN THE FACE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS BENT INWARD APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES FROM THE FORCE. WE BELIEVE SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE B PILLAR, BECAUSE SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND A JAGGED CUT ABOVE HER LEFT EYE. SHE ALSO SUFFERED A BROKEN LEFT RIB IN THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIR NOTED THAT THERE WAS INTRUSION ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THAT THE LOWER ROCKER HAD BEEN PUSHED IN, AND THAT DUE TO PRESSURE ON THE B PILLAR THE REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN PROPERLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRS BAGS WHICH DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS AIRBAG SENSORS IN ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE CAR. GIVEN THE DIRECT HIT ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE RESULTING EXPLOSION OF THE DRIVERS WINDOW, WE FEEL THE SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, WHICH WOULD HAVE LESSENED OR ELIMINATED THE INJURIES MY WIFE SUFFERED. I INFORMED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE AIRBAG'S FAILURE TO DEPLOY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE "THE IMPACT FORCES WERE NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE B-PILLAR, DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT WARRANTED". TO ME THIS INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NOT SENSORS IN THE DOORS AS SHOWN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FORCES EXERTED TO THE B-PILLAR IN THE ACCIDE

DRIVING SOUTH ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED --UNABLE TO STEER IT OR SLOW IT DOWN--HAD TO GET OFF HIGHWAY TO AVOID COLLISION --TURNED WHEEL TO RIGHT AND SLID ACROSS SWALE INTO THICKET OF TREES WANT TO GET A USED LEXUS TO REPLACE THIS BE BUT AM AFRAID OF SAFETY ISSUES NOW. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR THAT WAS 6 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS THAT OF A SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION JUST LIKE THE INCIDENT WE HAD ON APRIL 30, 2013. THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE LEXUS SUSTAINED OVER $10,000. WORTH OF DAMAGE AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE INCIDENT ON APRIL 30 CONSISTED OF OUR CRAWLING FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPOT, SUDDENLY THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE CEMENT PARKING BARRIER AND HIT A CAR APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET AWAY. LEXUS LOOKED AT THE BLACK BOX AFTER THE 4/30 ACCIDENT AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

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

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

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 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

ON NOV. 6, 2007 I WAS THE LAST VEHICLE IN A FOUR CAR PILE-UP. THE HONDA IN FRONT OF ME WAS TOTALED AND MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAD OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WITH SUCH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE I WAS SURE THEY WOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME BUT THEY DID NOT. I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM AND I WILL NOT BE PROTECTED IN THE FUTURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT'S WIFE BLACKED OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HIS WIFE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED BY LEXUS AND HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH ANY OF THE CRASH INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WENT 70 FEET ACROSS FIVE TRAFFIC LANES AND LANDED PERPENDICULARLY TO A POLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES. THE FRONT TIRES WERE BALD ON THE OUTER AREA OF THE TIRES. THE REAR TIRES WERE DRY AND CRACKING. THERE WAS NO FRONT END VIBRATION OR LOOSE STEERING EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOOKED AT BY A DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE NOT CHANGED. THE TIRES WERE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 SIZE P235/45R17. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,642.

ON SUNDAY JULY 9, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 P.M. I DECIDED TO STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE. I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE I TURNED LEFT AND EASED SLOWLY INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE MOMENT I STOPPED I REACHED OVER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SURGED ENOUGH TO MOVE THE FRONT WHEELS OVER THE CAR STOP IN AN INSTANT WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I WAS SHOCKED. WHY WAS THE CAR DOING THIS? I STILL HAD MY FOOT POSITIONED ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED DOWN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, AND THE BACK TIRES CAME OVER THE CAR STOP. AT THIS POINT I REMOVED THE FOOT TOTALLY FROM THE BRAKE TO SEE IF THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN NATURALLY WITHOUT ANY ACTION AT ALL BY ME. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE TOTALLY ON ITS OWN. I TRIED THE BRAKE AGAIN AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT STOP. AT THIS POINT I REALIZED THAT I WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE ROAD. I LOOKED BOTH WAYS AND SAW A SILVER TOYOTA WITH A LADY DRIVING IT. A COLLISION THEN HAPPENED AND I JAMMED THE BRAKE ON AGAIN AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. I WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL. MY BROTHER WORKED AT LEXUS. HE TOLD ME ANOTHER LADY HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT WHILE SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND THE ENGINE SURGED AND SHE RAN INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER ON THE INTERNET WHEN I GOT HOME. THE INFORMATION I FOUND WAS UNBELIEVABLE. COMPLAINTS WERE STILL BEING MADE ON ONGOING BASIS. I W

WED MAY 23, 2007 WENT TO JM LEXUS TO CHECK ON THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH SAY AIR BAG ON AND AIR BAG OFF. SAW JOSHUA LENTZ WHO SAID THEY RECALIBRATED THE SYSTEM. HE TOLD ME THAT AS LONG AS FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHS ABOVE 70 LBS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM SHOULD OPERATE. I ASKED IF THE AIR BAG WOULD ACTIVATE IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT IF THE AIR BAG OFF SIGN SHOWS. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. TODAY AS WE DROVE THE SIGN AIR BAG ON SHOWED. AFTER A STOP AT A STORE WE DROVE HOME AND THE AIR BAG OFF SIGN SHOWED ALL THE WAY HOME. TODAY I CALLED 1-800-255-3987, WHICH IS THE LEXUS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER & SPOKE TO MR CALEB. HE WILL HAVE SOMEONE CALL ME IN TWO DAYS WITH SOME ANSWERS. AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL. FRI MAY 25, 2007 GOT CALL BACK FROM JOHN HALL, SERVICE MANAGER AT JM LEXUS. TOLD ME HE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH LEXUS IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. HE BELIEVES THEY ARE WORKING ON THE SOFTWARE FOR THE AIR BAG AND HE WILL TRY TO FIND OUT WHEN THEY THINK THEY WILL HAVE A SOLUTION. HE WILL CALL ME TODAY AFTER HE SPEAKS TO CALIFORNIA. SUN MAY 27, 2007 HAVEN'T HEARD FROM SERVICE MANAGER JOHN HALL. *TR

ON JULY 9, 2006 AT 3:30 P.M., I STOPPED AT FISHERS FOODS IN CANTON, OHIO. I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT FROM THE FRANK RD. SIDE OF FISHERS AND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE. THE PARKING SPACE WAS LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE ENTRANCE AND I TURNED LEFT AND EASED SLOWLY INTO THE SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE MOMENT I STOPPED, I REACHED OVER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ENGINE SURGED ENOUGH TO MOVE MY FRONT WHEELS OVER THE CAR STOP IN AN INSTANT WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED. I STILL HAD MY FOOT POSITIONED ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED DOWN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BACK TIRES CAME OVER THE CAR STOP. AT THIS POINT, I REMOVED MY FOOT TOTALLY FROM THE BRAKE TO SEE IF THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN NATURALLY WITHOUT ANY ACTION AT ALL BY ME. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE JUST AS FAST TOTALLY ON ITS OWN. I TRIED THE BRAKE AGAIN AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT STOP. I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AGAIN AND AT THIS POINT REALIZED I WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE ROAD. I LOOKED TO THE LEFT AND SAW A CAR COMING DOWN THE ROAD A FAIR DISTANCE AWAY. I THEN LOOKED TO THE RIGHT AND SAW A SILVER TOYOTA WITH A LADY DRIVING IT. I KNEW I WAS GOING TO HIT HER. THE COLLISION HAPPENED AND I PUT THE BRAKE ON AGAIN AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE POLICE CITED ME FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL. AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO PICK ME UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE

I PURCHASED THE 2005 LEXUS ES 330 IN AUGUST OF 2005. SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE I HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOTICEABLE HESITATION AND LURCHING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM SLOW SPEEDS. THE HESITATION AND SUBSEQUENT LURCHING IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 24 MPH. SINCE THE PURCHASE I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM THROUGH THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL GOING BACK TO 2002. SEVERAL WEB FORUMS, SUCH AS EDMONDS.COM AND LEXUS OWNERS CLUB SHOW OVER TWO THOUSAND POSTINGS ON THE PROBLEM. EVEN THE NHTSA HAS COMPLAINTS. LEXUS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SENT NUMEROUS E-MAILS AND LETTERS TO BOTH LEXUS AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE FEIGNED SURPRISE AT THE PROBLEM, AND THEN HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM TO BE FOUND. THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED PREMIUM FUEL, REBOOTING THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND WAITING FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO "SELF ADJUST". NOTHING HAS HELPED. LEXUS WILL NOT, OR CANNOT, FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE HESITATION AND LURCHING IS NOTICEABLE WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR DOING A "ROLLING STOP". IT IS HAZARDOUS. LEXUS HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE IT FIRST EXISTED IN 2002. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN UNCOMFORTABLE PROBLEM IN THIS SO-CALLED LUXURY CAR, BUT IT IS A DANGER. *NM

TODAY MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO STOP BY BRAKING. *JB

THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND THEN LURCH FORWARD WHEN YOU ARE GOING AT A SLOW SPEED AND THEN PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND COULD PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DEALERS AND ALWAYS GET THE SAME "COMPANY STORY". IT'S A NEW DRIVE BY WIRE AND IT HAS TO LEARN HOW YOU DRIVE. WELL, I HAVE HAD MY SOFTWARE CHANGED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT NEVER IS FIXED. I HAVE HAD 4 LEXUS AUTOS, WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER. THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND HAVE CORPORATE COVERUP PROGRAM IN PLACE TO HIDE IT, JUST BECAUSE NO ONE DIED YET. THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO FIX IT AND SPEND THE MONEY AND NEGATIVE PUBLICITY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING. IT STALLED DURING START UP AND BACKING OUT AS WELL AS DURING CRUISING WITHOUT ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS HOWEVER THE ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT. UPDATED *JB

I OWN AND PURCHASED NEW A 2005 LEXUS ES 330 OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH A LAGGING TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN NOT BE FIXED PER LEXUS BUT POSES A DEFINITE SAFETY PROBLEM AS REPORTED BY MANY LEXUS OWNERS OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO. I FEEL LEXUS SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSIONS WITH ACCEPTABLE PERFORMING TRANSMISSIONS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *NM

SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DUE TO SIGNIFICANT THROTTLE LAG. PEDAL IS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE CAR MOVES, AND THEN DOES SO AS IF YOU HAD DELIBERATELY PUSHED IT THAT FAR. ALSO, UPON ACCELERATION, CAR STALLS FOR ONE TO TWO SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS, ONE WITH A DUMP TRUCK. LEXUS CLAIMS THIS IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED." *JB

THROTTLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO COMMANDS FOR MORE RPM AND SPEED. *JB

I OWN A 2005 LEXUS RX 330 WITH APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES ON IT.--MY RIGHT REAR BREAK LIGHT DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. LINDSAY LEXUS, ALEXANDRIA, VA, WAS TOLD OF THE PROBLEM, CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER AT NIGHT, AS WELL AS BEING TOLD BY FOLKS WHO FOLLOWED ME AT NIGHT, THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. I AGAIN, TOLD LINDSAY LEXUS WHAT WAS OCCURRING AND WAS TOLD THAT UNLESS IT DID NOT WORK WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED THAT I COULD PURCHASE A NEW BULB FOR $300.00. ADDITIONALLY, THEY SAID IF IT WAS NOT WORKING WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY. I CONTACTED THE LEXUS HEADQUARTERS IN CA, AND THEY OFFERED NO SOLUTION AS WELL. I WOULD SPECULATE THAT I WILL BE PULLED OVER AGAIN BY AN OFFICER, AS THE FIRST OFFICER TOLD ME IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SINCE IT OCCASIONALLY WORKS, IT MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY LINDSAY LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE HAVE PLACED THE ONUS ON THE CUSTOMER. *NM

THE TRANSMISSION OF MY ES 330 IS ERRATIC DURING BOTH UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT. INITIALLY THE DEALER RIVERSIDE LEXUS, COVINGTON,KY, SAID THAT IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. A FEW WEEKS AGO THE DEALER THEN CHANGED THEIR STORY TO ONE THAT LEXUS KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM. . I DID SEE A NUMBER OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ES 330 TRANSMISSION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE OTHER COMPLAINANTS SEEMED TO GET THE SAME TWO STAGE RESPONSE FROM LEXUS THAT WE DID. *NM

MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAS TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHEN AFTER SLOWING TO ABOUT 5 MPH, I ACCELERATE. IT TAKES 1 TO 2 SECONDS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT AND THEN THE CAR LURCHES DANGEROUSLY FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A SOFTWARD FIX TO THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM

MY NEW 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAS A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT HESITATES WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE. FIRST IT DELAYS UPON ACCELERATION AND THEN IT JERKS AHEAD QUICKLY CAUSING WHIPLASH AND I EVEN CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE BECAUSE IT JERKED AHEAD WITHOUT ME BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT. THE DEALER SAID TO JUST USE BETTER GAS AND COMPLAIN TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LEXUS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. BASICALLY, I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH IT BUT NO RECALL AS OF YET. WELL THIS IS AN OUTRAGE. I HAVE A NEW LEXUS THAT DRIVES WORSE THAN AN OLD CAR AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. *NM

HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION OF 1-3 SECONDS. AT CRUCIAL DRIVING POINTS (E.G., THROUGH INTERSECTIONS), THE HESITATION IS DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. THE PROBLEM NOW OCCURS REGULARLY. *JB

I PURCHASED MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 IN AUGUST OF 2004 AND HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION ACCELERATION / DECELERATION PROBLEMS CITED HERE IN SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR, PLUS A FIFTH VISIT WITH THE LEXUS MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE. THEY HAVE UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE AND RESET THE ECM MEMORY EACH TIME, AND STATE THAT THERE IS NOTHING MECHANICAL WRONG WITH THE CAR. I CONCUR THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, DUE TO THE DELAY AND LUNGING THAT CAN CAUSE YOU TO BE REAR ENDED OR TO REAR-END SOMEONE ELSE. LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT - HOWEVER GIVEN THAT THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE LEXUS ES SINCE THE 2002 MODEL, I WOULD EXPECT LEXUS OR THE NHTSA TO HAVE DONE SOMETHING BY NOW. NOTE THAT I HAVE ALSO DRIVEN THE 2006 ES AS A LOANER WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED, AND IT TOO HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF FAILURES AT 300, AS THAT IS THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF DAYS I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. *NM *NM

DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE FOR ONE-HALF TO ONE FULL SECOND AND THEN LURCH FORWARD, SUDDENLY. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK WHEN CHANGING LANES OR ACCELERATING TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC INDICATED (TWICE) THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL'S "ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR," AND THAT AN INTERNAL COMPUTER IS SUPPOSED TO "LEARN FROM THE DRIVERS' HABITS AND ADJUST THE ACCELERATION ACCORDINGLY." AN ACCIDENT CAN EASILY OCCUR WHEN EXPECTED POWER IS DENIED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ACCELERATION AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A TRANSMISSION CHIP THAT WAS RECOGNIZED IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE PROBLEM DIMINISHED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE CORRECTION DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT ENOUGH TIMES TO CAUSE THE CONTACT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE DECLINING TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS FOR A VEHICLE WITH ECTI. *AK

2005 LEXUS ES330 WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2004. SOMETIME BEFORE TAKING IT IN FOR THE 5000 MILE SERVICE I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD LURCH WHEN ACCELERATED FROM A SPEED AROUND 10 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I EXPLAINED THIS AT THE 5000 MILE SERVICE, BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. AT THE 10,000 MILE SERVICE I EXPLAINED THAT THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED. AGAIN, WHEN I TALKED TO THE SERVICE CONSULTANT BEFORE PICKING UP THE CAR, HE SAID THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT REPLICATE IT ON THE 2 MILE TEST DRIVE. BUT HE SAID THAT THIS WAS THE DRIVER'S FAULT. THEN HE DID LET ME KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE ES330 WERE DESIGNED AND THAT OTHERS HAD COMPLAINED OF THE SAME THING. THERE WERE NO ADJUSTMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE, THIS WAS THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO REACT. *JB

THE CAR HAD JUST COMPLETED IT 5000 MILES SERVICE. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I FELT A JOLT AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WALKED AROUND THE REAR AND SAW A TIRE LAYING IN THE ROADWAY BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME SAID THAT THE TIRE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE AND BOUNCED UP AND UNDER HIS CAR AND THEN BOUNCED BACK AND HIT MY BUMPER. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE 2005 LEXUS RX 330. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER THE TIRE AND THE COVER FOR THE TIRE WHICH HAD ALSO FALLEN OFF. HE OPENED THE COVER AND FOUND THAT THE METAL CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE HAD SEVERED. HE SAID HE WANTED TO KEEP THE CAR TO SHOW TO A COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE. IT IS NOW 4 WEEKS LATER AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR CAR BACK OR HEARD FORM LEXUS AS TO THE RESOLUTION. SHORTLY BEFORE THE INCIDENT, I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE MOVING. *NM

I PURCHASED A 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND HAVE HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE HESITATES DURING ACCELERATION AND SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD. ALSO, DURING DECELERATION THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN UPON RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS BECOME A SERIOUS ISSUE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I''M CONCERNED IT MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT HAVE RECEIVED A STANDARD RESPONSE THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I''M HOPING THE DOT WILL INITIATE A RECALL AND HAVE THE MANUFACTURER FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED AND SHOCKED AT THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR REPORTS FILED WITH THE DOT. *NM

THE CAR HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT LUNGES FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE. *NM

WE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE A SECOND CAR MISSED A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR, BUT THE AIR BAGS ON MY CAR LEXUS ES 330 YEAR 2005 DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH THEY SHOULD HAVE. ARE THE AIRBAGS DEFECTIVE ON THIS CAR?*JB

HIGH DENSITY DISCHARGE WITH AUTO LEVELING SYSTEM.LOW BEAMS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO DRIVE SAFELY ON UNLIT ROADS.DEALER SAYS THE LIGHTS ARE SET TO SPECKS BUT,I BELEIVE IF THEY ARE THEY WOULD HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS.I BELEIVE THIS TO BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE ESPECIALY IN COUNTRY WITH WILD LIFE AS IN WI,MN.MI ECT