Brake Electric Antilock problems of the 2004 Lexus ES330

2004 Lexus Es330. Consumer states anti-lock braking system caused the car to skid off the road and into a guard rail. According to the police report, the vehicle lost traction due to icy conditions and struck a guardrail. The consumer stated he wrote to the manufacturer several times and never received a response. Updated 12/22/10. Updated 08/24/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. 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. Updated consumer letter 07/15/10.

The brakes on my newly leased 2004 Lexus 330 do not engage with pressure for the initial 1/2 to 1 inch of pressure and are inconsistant. They also make a distracting and irritating knocking noise when the pedal is released. I have had the vehicle in for service 3 times and each time the service manager has told me the brakes were fine, but they are definitely not.

My Lexus Es330 was less than two months old and the mileage read about 950 the time when the accident happened. T occurred on the way to work at 8:40 am March 8th, 2004. It was a sunny warm day. As I was driving on the far right lane of south 5 freeway with speed around 65 to 70 mph, a car next to my lane was trying to cut in front of me. In order to keep a safe distance, I tried to slow down the car by pressing the brake. The moment I pressed the brake the car swerved to the right. I couldn't control where the vehicle was heading and the car didn't slow down as I further pressed the brake. It bumped into the guardrail and turned 180 degree facing the oncoming cars. Luckily, I was able to make a turn and parked the car without hitting anybody. The car was damaged from the right head light all the way to the rear bumper. I immediately called the dealer and Lexus sent a inspector to check on the car. One week later, I was informed the car is ok and there is nothing abnormal after their investigation. I requested an investigation report and the response I got is I have to "go through the legal system". There was no explanation for the exact meaning of this phrase. I am a good driver with excellent record. The whole experience was totally out of nowhere and unpredictable. I kept looking back to find any clues that might lead to the accident. As I studied the NHTSA complaints, most of them happened during slow speed driving. My case happened on the freeway and all I remembered was the car didn't slow down as I applied the brake.