ON A SUNNY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 31, 2010, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN IN THE PARKING LOT. WHILE I TURNED LEFT, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITH A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RAN OVER THE CURB. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. I CHANGED THE GEAR TO THE "P" POSITION AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WAS MOVED THROUGH THE "N" POSITION. IT STRUCK A LAMP POST BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT LEXUS OF BELLEVUE, WA, ON AUGUST 11, 2010, BUT THEY DENIED ANY VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. *TR
2004 Lexus ES330 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
2004 LEXUS ES330. CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CHANGED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HIT A FENCE AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2004 LEXUS ES330 WITH 97,000 MILES. CARS WERE SWERVING TO AVOID HITTING ME AS MY CAR ALMOST CAME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. LEXUS CORPORATE GAVE ME HALF OFF THE PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALER GAVE ME HALF OFF OF LABOR. HOWEVER, TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FAIL ON 1984 BUICKS, LET ALONE 2004 LEXUS' WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES. *TR
2004 LEXUS ES 330. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS CERTAIN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION SHE EXPERIENCED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY FLOOR MAT THAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE PINS THAT HELD THE MATS IN PLACE HAD BROKEN. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB
I HAVE A 2004 LEXUS ES330 WITH ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. MY INITIAL PROBLEM WAS AS I COME TO A STOP LIGHT AND IT TURNS GREEN, BEFORE I HAVE TO STOP I WOULD ACCELERATE AND THERE WOULD BE A HESITATION WHERE THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS STALLING. IT WOULD THEN ACCELERATE WITH A THUMP. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LEXUS DEALER IN HAWAII (OAHU) AND THEY RECOGNIZED IT AS A COMPUTER PROGRAM PROBLEM THAT TELLS THE CAR WHEN TO ACCELERATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN "TRY" TO FIX IT BY CHANGING THE COMPUTER CHIP AND RESETTING THE MEMORY IN THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD EITHER FIX THE PROBLEM OR CREATE OTHER ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. THEY KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. IT FIXED MY INITIAL PROBLEM BUT HAS CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS CAR NOW JERKS UPON ACCELERATING WHILE TRAVELING 5-15 MPH. FROM A STOP, MY CAR SOMETIMES HESITATES AND THEN ACCELERATES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. I KNOW OTHER LEXUS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AS WELL AS CAMRY OWNERS THAT HAVE A V6 ENGINE AND THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS THE LEXUS ES330. YOU CAN GOOGLE IT. *TR
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER FROM REGARDING SAFETY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2004 LEXUS ES 330 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT UPPER STRUT MOUNT BOLT WAS LOOSE, THE WIRING SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE IN WHICH THE HOOD CARPET, OXYGEN SENSOR WIRES AND RADIATOR HOSE CAUGHT ON FIRE, BUT MANAGED TO GO OUT BY ITSELF. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT NO CONCLUSIVE CAUSE TO THE UNDER HOOD FIRE WAS FOUND. ALSO THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING WHEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM SLOWED DOWN TO STOP. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. (THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HER FATHER OWNS THE VEHICLE) *JB
2004 LEXUS 330. CONSUMER STATES UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION TWICE. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, STOPPING AND RESTARTING. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL, HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP AND BRAKE, BUT NEITHER ACTION WAS SUCCESSFUL. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0-10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION JERKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE RIDING IN A LEXUS ES330 AND HAD JUST COME OFF HIGHWAY I40 EXIT 270 IN CHAPEL HILL, NC WHEN THE MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALL EXPLODED WITH A 4 INCH RIP, THEY WERE ABLE TO STOP AND FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAVE THE TIRE WITH THE RIPPED SIDEWALL AND WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. HERE ARE THE TIRE DETAILS: BRAND: MICHELIN DESCRIPTION: P215 60 R16 94V, ENERGY MXV4 S8 DOT HN49 JUAX 5007 WDA 836 06-57203-01. *TR
2004 LEXUS ES330 SUDDEN ACCELERATION *GR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, STRUCK A SIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES 330. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL WHISTLE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
THROTTLE CONTROL COMPUTER FAILED ON 2004 LEXUS. COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO MORE THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR. LEXUS/TOYOTA SAYS IT IS UNRELATED TO THE 1000'S OF OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVING TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RELATED AND SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
2004 LEXUS ES 330 ACCELERATION IS STICKING/STALLING AND JERKING WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. CONTACTED LEXUS DEALER AND REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY CLAIM THE CAR COMPUTER IS CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING FEEL LIKE JERKING MOTIONS. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION FEELS CONFUSED IN MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN IN THE CITY OR PULL OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY MY CAR WILL HESITATE AND PAUSE FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AS I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEONE WILL HIT ME IN THE BACK BEFORE I CAN GET THE CAR UP TO THE DESIRED SPEED. I FIND MYSELF ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECKING SOMETIME TRIPLE CHECKING BEOFRE I PULL OUT. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT MANY DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND I HAVE FOUND ABOUT 1900+ PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
2004 LEXUS ES330. CONSUMER STATES ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE CAR TO SKID OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A GUARD RAIL. *TGW ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE LOST TRACTION DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE WROTE TO THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE. UPDATED 12/22/10. *JB UPDATED 08/24/10*JB THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING COULD ONLY CONFIRM THAT THE INTERNAL COMPUTER WAS NOT REPORTING A SYSTEM ERROR. UPDATED 06/23/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED A SLIGHT APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, CAUSED THE WHEELS TO FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL. UPDATED 03/29/10.*JB UPDATED CONSUMER LETTER 07/15/10.*JB
WHEN I TRIED TO STOP AND TURNED RIGHT ON A SIDE STREET THE CAR'S BRAKE DIDN'T WORK AND THE CAR EVEN ACCELERATED ITSELF. IT DIDN'T STOP EVEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE UNTIL IT HIT A STREET SIGN AND KNOCKED THE TREE DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK. THE AIR BAG DIDN'T COME OUT AFTER THE CRASH NEITHER. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST AFTER THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ENGAGED. IN DOING SO, THE MAIN BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
WHILE PARKING, THE CONSUMERS 2004 LEXUS ES 330 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED JUMPED AND CURB HIT A TREE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED SHE GENTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO INCH INTO A PARKING SPACE A LITTLE MORE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER HITTING THE TREE, THE VEHICLE THEN BOUNCED BACK FROM THE TREE AND WENT DOWN AN INCLINE TO THE RIGHT WHERE SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. THE CONSUMER WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR A HAIRLINE FRACTURE OF HER STERNUM. IT TOOK SEVERAL WEEKS TO RECOVER. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE WHICH DISPLAYED THE AIR BAG FOAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR YEARS AND HE ALSO HAD A SHADE IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING COULD BE DONE REGARDING THE DASHBOARD. THE MANAGER AT THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,095.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES 330. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO PERSONALS INJURY. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGES AT AN ESTIMATION OF $1,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
MY LEXUS 2004 MODEL ES330 HAS BEEN ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. THIS ACCELERATION HAS BEEN HAPPENING TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, BUT HAVE NOTICED MORE DURING LAST 3 TO 4 MONTHS. *TR
ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY CERTIFIED/PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2004 LEXUS ES330 ON 9/30/05, I HAD THE DEALER CHECK VEHICLE'S SLOW TO SHIFT, SLIPPING THROUGH GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING, AND 'SURGING' WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, AS IF GEARS/TRANSMISSION WERE SLOW TO GET THE MESSAGE. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE CHECKED 5 TIMES (2005-2009), AND EACH TIME, THEY EITHER SAY THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM OR, TWICE, RESET THE COMPUTER. I FEEL AS THOUGH I'M 'AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN,' HOWEVER, HAVE SEEN NO REPORTS/ INVESTIGATIONS/RECALLS ADDRESSING THESE LEXUS/TOYOTA PRODUCT ISSUES. PLEASE ADVISE HOW NHTSA/I CAN ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
MY 04 LEXUS ES 330 HAD UNEXPLAINED THROTTLE INCREASE WHILE DRIVING ON HWY AT ABOUT 50 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STOPPED. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND CALLED LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED ME TO BRING IT TO THEM. WHEN I STARTED ENGINE AGAIN IT DROVE OK. *TR
WAS PARKING IN A STRIP MALL. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE PARKING BLOCK AND THE SIDEWALK, CRASHED THROUGH THE FRONT OF A STORE AND CAME TO REST INSIDE THE STORE. THIS IS THE ONLY INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE CAR AND WE CONTINUE TO OWN IT AND DRIVE IT. *TR
I HAD 2 ACCELERATING EXPERIENCES WITH MY 04 LEXUS. BOTH LED UP TO SEVERAL $ DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND I OTHER CAR. THEN THE 3RD ONE OCCURRED WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR REPAIR AND THE LEXUS GARAGE LOANED ME A 2009 LEXUS, THE SAME THING - IT ACCELERATED AND I DROVE INTO A BRICK WALL. I THOUGHT THEY WERE MY FAULT. THE STATE OF MINNESOTA INTERVENED AND TOOK MY DRIVERS LICENSE SO I CAN LONGER DRIVE. I FEEL THIS WAS AN INJUSTICE AND WANT MY LICENSE RETURNED. *TR
I OWN A LEXUS ES330 2004. IT ISN'T INVOLVED IN THE ACCELERATOR RECALL. HOWEVER MY CAR DOES DRIVE BY WIRE. THE FOLLOWING IF FROM CAR AND DRIVER. ACCORDING TO THEM SOFTWARE DOES EXIST THAT STOPS VOLTAGE TO THE ETC WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TO ME THIS IS A "NO BRAINER". MAYBE THERE ARE PATENT ISSUES THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPROGRAM THEIR SOFTWARE. I WORK IN INDUSTRY WE USE INTERLOCKS ALL THE TIME. BUT TOYOTA COULD DO BETTER. SINCE THE ADVENT OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, MANY AUTOMAKERS HAVE ADDED SOFTWARE TO PROGRAM THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE?AND THEREFORE CUT POWER?WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CARS FROM BMW, CHRYSLER, NISSAN/INFINITI, PORSCHE, AND VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI HAVE THIS FEATURE, AND THAT'S PRECISELY WHY THE G37 ACED THIS TEST. *TR
2004 LEXUS 330 SINCE THE AUTO WAS PURCHASED AND DRIVEN OFF THE LOT, THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE DELAY FROM STOP OR SLOW SPEED ACCELERATION FROM THE TIME THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED UNTIL THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STARTS TO DELIVER THE POWER. IF YOU STOMP THE PEDAL FOR A JACK-RABBIT START, THE DELAY IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE. THE DEALER J AND M, HAS BEEN GIVING ME THE RUN-AROUND SINCE PURCHASE WITH THE "NORMAL" PARTY LINE. *TR
I WAS IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND AS I PUT IT IN GEAR THE CAR SPED OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED THE OTHER CARS IN THE LOT BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOTHING BUT SQUEAL. UPON HITTING A CURB ON THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO A STOP. MY CAR WAS NOW FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITH A LOT OF DAMAGE. I WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED BUT HAD SEVERAL MONTHS OF THERAPY ON MY NECK. A FEW MONTHS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THERAPY, I HAD TO RETURN FOR A SECOND ROUND BECAUSE OF NECK PAIN. TOYOTA TIED UP MY CAR FOR A MONTH TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER AND SENT ME A LETTER STATING THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT IT WAS THE AFTER MANUFACTURE MATS. WHEN I ASKED FOR A COPY OF THE INVESTIGATORS REPORT, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR POLICY TO DO SO. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE LEXUS ES330, AND OTHER PEOPLE MAY BE AT RISK. SINCE I STILL HAVE THE CAR, I WONDER IF THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND COVERED IT UP OR IF THE SAME THING MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE PROBLEMS WITH THE LEXUS ES330 SERIOUSLY. I DO NOT FEEL THAT TOYOTA CARES ABOUT SAFETY WHEN IT MAY DIG INTO PROFITS. *TR
MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330 SEDAN HAS A TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED TO THE DEALER AS "SLIPPING". WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS UNDER LOAD (GOING UP A HILL) AND YOU ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE YOU FEEL AND HEAR A DEFINITE ABRUPT SHIFT IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IS "TYPICAL". *TR
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
I DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY , ROUTE 50, IN ANNAPOLIS, MD, ONTO AN EXIT RAMP LEADING TO FERGUSON ROAD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I AVOIDED A CAR ON THE RAMP IN FRONT OF ME BUT IMMEDIATELY CAME TO THE STOP SIGN AT FERGUSON ROAD. THE CAR HAD NOT SLOWED DOWN AND I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN ONTO FERGUSON ROAD, BUT HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND ANOTHER CAR IN THE INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I RECEIVED A CUT ON MY LEFT HAND, A BRUISE ON MY RIGHT HIP FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND MY GLASSES WERE KNOCKED OFF. MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT RECEIVED A BRUISED RIGHT ANKLE AND EXPERIENCED PAIN IN THE STERNAL REGION. WE BOTH WALKED OUT OF THE ACCIDENT AND DID NOT DEEM IT NECESSARY TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. MY WIFE'S STERNAL PAIN HAS NOT GONE AWAY NOW 7 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND SHE WILL SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE TOMORROW, ON MARCH 17. ON TWO OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT I EXPERIENCED TRANSITORY BRAKE FAILURE ,BUT THAT CAUSED NO ACCIDENT ,AND RIGHT AWAY AFTER THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SEEMED NORMAL AND I FORGOT ABOUT THOSE TWO INCIDENTS. THE CAR HAD ALL ROUTINE SCHEDULED SERVICES, THE LAST BEING A 90,000 MILE SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 11, 2009. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM LEXUS ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE BRAKE MALFUNCTION ISSUES WITH 2004 LEXUS ES 330 AUTOS. THE CAR WAS DEEMED NOT WORTH REPAIRING BY THE ALLSTATE ADJUSTER. *TR
MY LEXUS ES330 2004 HAS ABOUT 17K MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL INDICATIONS WHERE I TRY AND BRAKE AND IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES WILL NOT FULLY ENGAGE, OR THAT THE EBS BRAKING SYSTEM IS ENGAGED, WHEN I DO NOT BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE ENGAGED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MOSTLY IN THE WINTER OR FALL MONTHS WHEN THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE AIR WAS DRY. IT HAS TAKEN ME WAY TO LONG TO BRAKE AND COME TO A PROPER STOP. IT HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 10 TIMES. I DO NOT DRIVE VERY MUCH AS YOU CAN NOTE FROM THE MILEAGE. A FEW TIMES IT OCCURRED WHEN THE ROAD WAS WET, AND FELT LIKE THE BRAKES ACTUALLY LOCKED UP AND THEN RELEASED AND THEN WENT INTO THE EBS MODE. IF I DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY, AND WANT TO STOP QUICKLY, THIS CAN OCCUR ON DRY PAVEMENT, IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE CAR IS CLEARLY NOT ACTING IN A MANOR THAT IT SHOULD. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO LEXUS AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OR REPORTED PROBLEMS ETC. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT I SUSPECT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO TEST. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS BEFORE, SUCH AS A PORSCHE 944 AND A MERCEDES AND NEVER EVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I DO NOT WANT TO SELL THE CAR TO AN UNSUSPECTING PURCHASER, AND THUS I WANT IT RESOLVED. IF I AM DRIVING AGGRESSIVELY, AND GO TO STOP, AT TIME IT IS AS IF THE CAR ASSUMES THAT THE EBS SYSTEM WILL BE NECESSARY GIVEN THE SPEED, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE. ALSO, A FEW TIMES WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE BACK BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK AND I FELT MY BACK END FISH TAIL. I GOT OUT OF THE PROBLEM BY RELEASIN
PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS OR MAY BE RELATED TO OTHER ODI I JUST REPORTED AT 10261933. I HAVE A LEXUS 2004 ES330 AND IN ADDITION TO WEIRD BRAKING PROBLEMS, I HAVE ALSO HIT THE BRAKE AND BASICALLY FELT THE CAR CONTINUE LIKE I NEVER HIT THE BRAKE AND I AM ACCELERATING OR HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED, I DID NOT FEEL THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGE OR ANY TYPE OF SLOWING DOWN OCCUR. I END UP HITTING AND RELEASING THE BRAKE QUICKLY TO TRY AND GET THE CAR TO BRAKE AND COME TO A STOP. ON ONE OCCASION I ALSO QUICKLY HIT THE GAS TO SEE IF PERHAPS THAT WOULD CLEAR THE PROBLEM, AND IT DID NOT. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED THAT NO DEBRIS OR FLOOR RUG HAD SOME HOW MADE THE GAS PEDAL STINK, AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEMS REPORTED UNDER ODI 10261933, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS W/ ACCELERATING OR STOPPING. I HAVE BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF LEXUS AND THEY HAVE DENIED ANY RECALLS OR OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS. I SUSPECT THEY ASSUME I AM A WOMAN - WHO CANNOT DRIVE. AGAIN, I HAVE OWNED FAST HIGH PERFORMANCE PORSHE AND MERCEDES PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL FIGURE THIS OUT BEFORE I AM INJURED OR PERHAPS SOMEONE ELSE IS. THANKS. PS NO DATE OF INCIDENT, SO I WILL PUT 1/1/09. THIS REFUSAL OF THE CAR TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE ETC HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 5 TIMES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES 330. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING JERKS, CLICKS, AND FEELS AS IF IT COULD DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING AND THE COMPUTER REFLASH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR FREE SO THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT EXCEEDS THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC WILL ONLY PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
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
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
DUE TO A LEXUS ADMITTED TRANSMISSION DEFECT, AT TIMES YOU PRESS THE GAS AND THE CAR SIMPLY DOESN'T GO. IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET CRUNCHED WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THERE'S NO DOUBT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. *TR
THE CAR DOESN'T GO WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. ALSO WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS IT WILL JUMP LIKE ITS ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. LEXUS ADMITS THE ISSUE EXISTS AND SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY SAY IT IS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE DRIVE BY WIRE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS AND WILL CAUSE MORE ACCIDENTS. *TR
THERE'S A "LAG" IN THE SHIFTING OF GEARS DUE TO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2004 LEXUS ES330. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM A MAJOR LEXUS DEALERSHIP AT ROSEVILLE AUTO MALL, ROSEVILLE, CA. ALTHOUGH I NOTICED FROM THE START, A "SLIPPAGE" OR "LAG" DURING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING OF GEARS, AND BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP, THEY BRUSHED IT OFF AS "NORMAL". MY LEXUS NOW HAS 23,000 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER AND THIS "LAG" IS DRIVING ME NUTS! DRIVING IN EUROPE REQUIRES RAPID RESPONSES AND ADVANCED SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAUNS. THIS "GEAR SHIFT HESITATION" IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND OFTEN FINDS ME IN A SEMI-DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY DRIVING SKILL AND HABITS HAVE ACCOMMODATED THIS TRANSMISSION IDIOSYNCRASY BUT WHENEVER ANOTHER DRIVER DRIVES MY CAR THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE SO OFTEN BEEN ADVISED TO PLACE A COMPLAINT WITH THE LEXUS MANUFACTURER, I HAVE YET TO DO SO BECAUSE I SUSPECT IT WILL FALL ON DEAF EARS. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? MY LEXUS HAS FEW MILES ON IT AND IS STILL WELL WITHIN IT'S WARRANTY. I HAVE RECENTLY READ THAT THE 2004 LEXUS ES330 IS WROUGHT WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. HAS LEXUS SERVED A RECALL ON MY MODEL? PLEASE ADVISE. I WILL APPRECIATE WHATEVER ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE YOU MAY SUGGEST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM A US CITIZEN, AND RETIRED FEDERAL SERVICE WORKER. MY WIFE CURRENTLY WORKS FOR US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HERE IN WIESBADEN, GERMANY. WIESBADEN RECENTLY OPENED A NEW AND LARGE LEXUS DEALE
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
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
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING LURCH BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH STILL RE-OCCURRING AFTER TWO SOFTWARE PROGRAM UPDATES. *TR
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
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.
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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING THE DRIVE WAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A CRASH WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE BEFORE IT STALLED IN THE YARD ACROSS THE STREET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPAIRED THE DAMAGES TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRINK IN THE DRINK HOLDER SPILLED AND RESULTED IN THE DRIVER BEING DISTRACTED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE POSITION OF THE DRINK HOLDER IS A POOR DESIGN AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CUP HOLDER HAD BEEN REDESIGNED IN THE NEWER MODEL.
I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 LEXUS ES330 ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM. I STOPPED IN THE LEFT TURN LANE AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. THERE WERE THREE CARS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND I HAD THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE LEFT-HAND TURN-LIGHT SIGNAL CHANGED TO GREEN, I PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. INSTANTLY, THE MOTOR MADE A LOUD REVVING SOUND AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO PUSH ON THE CAR THAT I HAD HIT. I THEN TRIED TO BACK AWAY FROM THE CAR I HAD HIT BY PUTTING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I SHIFTED MY CAR INTO REVERSE IT HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME AND I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. THIS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. THIS WAS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS $4,500 DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND $7,500 OF DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AT THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. UNTIL THIS ACCIDENT I HAD NEVER BEEN THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. NHTSA WEBSITE HAS COMPLAINTS OF VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS POSTED BY OWNERS OF THE 2004 LEXUS ES330 MODEL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO LEXUS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER. *NM
THE ACCELERATOR IN MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330 STUCK IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT AND CAUSED A COLLISION. *NM
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
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2004 Lexus ES330 → · Every ES330 year → · How the figures are calculated →