Automatic Transmission Problems of Lexus ES300 - part 2

2002 Lexus Es300 had a major surging problem at approximately 40 mph. After a year of promises, Lexus came out with a computer upgrade that changed the problem from annoying to dangerous. The 1/2 and 2/3 shifts are wildly inconsistent, sometimes taking 2/3 seconds and feeling like a slipping transmission. When acceleration, as in a passing or avoidance situation, is called for the motor revs up and the car goes nowhere while the transmission searches for a gear. This can take 3/4 seconds and has already almost caused a accident. Lexus customer service says the car is performing as designed and no further modifications are planned.

See all problems of the 2002 Lexus ES300 🔎.

While driving at 20mph and with no warning making a turn and vehicle will stall. It will be hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.

2003 Lexus hesitates on acceleration when slowing ( e. G. , making a turn) and then proceeding to full speed. The manufacturer was aware of the problem in press reviews on release of the car, and took 2 years to provide a software patch that was alleged to have corrected the problem. The patch does not work, and the condition is a safety problem.

I have experienced significant delay in downshifting when attempting to merge with traffic in my 2002 Lexus Es300. Following the delay, the transmission shifts to the top of the rpm range effectively resulting in no acceleration, then it up shifts to an appropriate gear. This is a dangerous condition. I have had several near misses from being rear ended as a result. The dealer has duplicated this problem on other 2002's and Lexus in California admits there is a problem but has no fix. I have been told for almost a year now that a fix is coming but still no fix. I hope someone does not get killed from this defect before it gets fixed! please do something.

We have an escalating shudder when down shifting the transmission. The dealer acknowledged that they have a problem with software between the engine and the powertrain/transmission. They do not have a fix and are asking customers to drive the vehicle for another possible 45 to 60 days until the fix is issued. We have requested another car since this is our 4th es400 in the past ten years and the 97 Lexus we traded was in perfect condition. We are not willing to wait for a repair and have notified the company that they need to resolve our problem caused by their defective product with a new vehicle.

Power train: automatic transmission. Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal. Ar hesitates on acceleration, lunges at times, searches for proper gear and shifts hard. The heistation can be quite dramatic; enough to lose confidence in critical situations. The car has been "re-programmed" by Lexus, but problems continue. Lexus denies there is a problem and says the car functions as designed. Problems surfaced shortly after purchase and continue.

Faulty computer and transmission causes the vehicle to downshift from 4th to 1st gear while in heavy traffic, starts jerking, and moves at an uncontrolled paced by computer only, driver has no control over acceleration or deceleration. Nlm.

See all problems of the 2000 Lexus ES300 🔎.

On September 7 with the servicemanger and mechanic testing the vehicle at 55 mph in heavy traffic it downshifted from 4th to 1st gear, started jerking, and moving on it's on at a slow uncontrolled pace by computer only. Driver had no control over acceleration or deceleration. This problem happened to me at least six time in heavy traffic barely escaped death by oncoming traffic. Lexus plans to replace the computer and the transmission and give it back to me Tuesday, sept. 12. I have a fear of driving that car and don't wish to take it back. Please help. The car has a factory defect that Lexus does not want publicized. I don't want to die in that car, nor cause someone else to be killed.

Brake rotors were replaced, entire new brake kit installed and all four tire were replaced prior to reaching 20k miles. The consumer has not been pleased with the shifting performance of the vehicle. The automatic transmission demonstrate erratic, rough and inconsistent shifting. The manufacturer installed a software upgrade but it only slightly improved the performance. The consumer also had a 2000 Lexus GS 300 which had a more dramatic transmission problem. The local dealer insisted that nothing was wrong with the vehicle.

Shift comfort issue exists at somewhat predictable driving conditions that cause the driver to handle the car in a cautious manner to avoid vehicle malfunction. Dt.

Car has very poor shifting characteristics. It is always annoying and sometimes unsafe. Twice I have started to quickly accelerate from a stop to turn left and had the transmission start to downshift then wait through a delay as if the software was confused. The result was the car sitting in the intersection with the accelerator depressed but no power to the wheels for around 1 or 2 seconds. Dealer acknowledges "shifting comfort" issues are the number one complaint for the car but says no fix is available. I have been in discussions with the service manager on this issue for over 8 months and have had no help.

Car won't go into gear properly during stop-and-go traffic or pull out into traffic while turning a corner, resulting in unsafe situations as noted by other cars' horns honking and brakes being applied . Dealer says it performs as designed by factory, and there is no way to fix it.