general problems of the 2003 Lexus ES300

Sir/madam, I am trying to help my friends margaret and michel arotcharen, long time residents of huntington beach and a very sweet couple. Peggy was driving her husband to a doctor's appointment and due to a fault in the engine (there is a recall and they were not informed), the engine caught on fire. If it hadn't been for the driver behind them who ran to them and got them quickly out of the car and walked them to safety, the outcome would have been very bleak. They are an elderly couple and the husband, michelle, has great difficulty walking and the car burned very quickly. They, thank god, made it to safety in time only to watch their car burn. They informed Toyota and since they are on fixed income asked Toyota for help with the purchase of another used reliable car (the Lexus they were driving was 15 years old but in good condition and more than enough car for their trips to local stores or doctor appointments. Surprisingly, Toyota only responded with one letter from customer service. Peggy's follow up calls and letters to customer service, eco mark templin were never acknowledged or answered. Please help this couple believe in humanity again. Toyota is a reputable company and to have something like this happen without so much as a phone call from the company is surprising to all that know of this case. I am attaching all the evidence: pictures, copies of letters for your reference. Please provide case number. Thank you so much for your help. Alice lastuvka for margaret and michel arotcharen.

After the vehicle has been running from a light or stop there is hesitation when trying to accelerate. I have taken the vehicle to the Lexus dealer in owings mills,MD. Several times. The first instance they said could not get the vehicle to repeat it. I went back complaining for the second time a was told that it could be fuel injectors clogged followed by another list of potential service items for about $1000+ expense which we deniedit since we have always maintained our car good & alwaysuse 93or 89 octane gas with maintenance service as recommended. This is my wife's car and I am always worried about a potential accident with this car. Lately this hesitation frequency has increased from what we hear is that we are not alone and seems to be an ongoing problems.

We have experienced on several occassions that vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate at stop sign or when initialy in start to drive at about 20-30 miles per hour at times for few seconds & at times it rattles 3-4 times. This car was purchased as certified pre-owned from Lexus dealer in excellent condition in 2006 that came with extended warranty upto 75000 miles but this problem started with slight & smooth jerk about 3 years back, took it to dealer after noticed for few times to diagnosis. At first instance they could not feel it since it was not consistent but when again complained for second time was told that it could be fuel injectors cloged followed by other list of potential service items we were talking about $1000+ expense which we denied it since we have always maintained our car good & always use 93 or 89 octaine gas with maintenance service as recommended. This one is my wife's vehicle & used to commute to work mostly on express way. We do have couple other issues with this car but not as important. Now, lately this hesitation frequency have increased & from what I hear is that we are not alone and this seems to be an ongoing issue with some other Es300 owners as well.

2003 ES 300 - transmission issues: I have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration almost every time, along with hard shifting 50% of the time. The acceleration hesitation can be scary if I'm trying to enter the highway, or turning left. The hard shifting feels like I got hit from behind. Both problems have been going on for years and Lexus dealer has never been any help. I read many of the online forums and found that both of these problems are very common as are their results for getting these issues fixed - not much luck from the dealer - "it works as it is designed". Really? Lexus needs to stand behind their product. I can't believe how many complaints I have read (100s) and their hasn't been a recall. How does a consumer go about pushing for a recall, or class action or will the lemon law work?.

There is a delay after sitting at a stop light and then at take off. The dealer could duplicate the problem and the manufacturer and dealer states that it is the new design. The problem would also occur when making a left turn, merging into traffic, entrance ramps, intersections and parking spots.