12 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2002 Lexus ES300. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Dealer and finance company claim clean title but documents reflect otherwise.
My 2002 Lexus Es300 has been jerking and shifting very hard on acceleration. It seems to have more of a problem when I accelerate slowly in the lower gears. It jerks very noticeably. I was told it was just the nature of the car, but it has been getting much worse over the course of the last year. It also hesitates when stepping on the gas after deceleration.
On 11/20/09, I was parked in front of my house in my 2002 Lexus Es300. When I put the car in drive, it boomed forth, and the brake didn't work. I tried to get around the car that was parked in front of me but the speed was such that I hit it. There was damage to my car and the car I hit. The driver was in the car and has since claimed she was injured. I had another instance of unintended acceleration 2 years prior to this incident but was able to stop. I urge you to push Toyota to admit that there are cases of unintended acceleration in models that pre-date the ones they are recalling and to rectify the problem.
Transmission gets confused when shifting into and out of the lower gears, then spends too long trying to figure out what gear to be in. This causes dangerous delays in acceleration, the effect is the same as a momentary engine stall. We have had this happen on several occasions, freeway ramp entrances are certainly the most dangerous place that this has occurred. Dealer acknowledges that there have been complaints about the shifting delays but they say no fix is available. This is our third Es300, the previous models used a cable between the gas pedal and the throttle, this new one uses what is called "fly by wire", a position sensor on the accelarator that a computer is supposed to use to figure out what to tell the engine and transmission. It isn't working very well. If not rectified this problem will certainly lead to a crash someday, then we'll get to see how good the safety equipment is.
The consumer states that he cannot view the instrument panel during the daytime. The mfr advised the consumer that the panel is designed that way. The consumer states that the white numbers on the instruments were okay, but it is extremely difficult to see the red needle during the day light (unless your in the shade/or in the evening). The consumer states that he is unable to tell the speed of travel, whether the engine is overheating, and/or the amount of fuel left. Also the multi-information displays and the odometer readings are barely visible during the daylight hours. The consumer states that he receives a standard answer that the instrument panel is working as designed.
In day light hours when sun is out consumer can't see dials on speedometer, unable to tell how fast vehicle was going. Consumer felt this was very unsafe. Consumer also can not see the fuel gauge, engine speed and engine temperature.
When the transmission shifts between first and second gears at a slow steady speed(approx 20mph) the car will frequently violently jerk. My car has 75000 miles and has done it since day one.
2002 Lexus Es300 has a lag in time between stepping on the gas and the transmission responding to put the car in motion. The hesitation is most pronounced when braking and then needing to rapidly accelerate. The consumer feels the inability of the vehicle to respond in a timely manner is hazardous. The manufacturer was contacted.
Can't read speedometer in bright daylight with headlights on and driver wearing sun glasses.
Very difficult to see speedomoter - dark background with dark needle requires too much time to see speed.
Cannot see speed reading on dashboard in sunlight. Dealership is aware of problem. The consumer also states that the change of instruments did not correct the problem. The service department said that this model has the same lighting. Right front door hard to close due to being misaligned, dealer adjusted door striker, speedometer needles difficult to see.
While driving when sun is shining consumer is unable to read speed odometer due to poor design, black back round with white numbers and a black needle. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.