Transmission Gear Slipping problems of the 2004 Lexus ES330

Vehicle have experienced hesitation when need to accelerate. The consumer was told that the problem was with the computer that caused a delay between the depression of the accelerator and the response by the transmission. The transmission would slip between shifts and the driver seat squeaked.

I during the first weeks, the transmission acted erratically. Driving at slow speeds, when I release the accelerator to coast, and then accelerate, the transmission slips or takes time to engage, causing the vehicle to lurch forward. (this has been described as a "delay/hesitation in shifting," or that the transmission is "searching for a gear. ") the transmission did not shift up or down smoothly. I brought the vehicle in. The service tech acknowledged the problem. I was then asked to bring the vehicle in and leave it for a few days. Not hearing back from anyone, I called and was informed that they had been unable to fix the problem. A few days later, I was told to pick up the car. I spoke with keith hollis. He informed me that Lexus drove the vehicle and speculated the cause was the gas. I was told that I needed to "run through a few tanks of gas. " when I went to pick up the vehicle, I was reading the service ticket and saw a statement on the ticket that: "no fault found. " despite this, the ticket was inaccurate. Work was done on the vehicle, including resetting the memory, replacement of a filter and new gas. I then spoke with mr. Pernell, service manager. He conceded that the service ticket was inaccurate. He told me that he was looking into the issue. He called me back and said the Lexus engineers were aware of this problem and it was a software problem. The vehicle is defective. I have now driven 2-3 of these cars, and the symptoms are consistent. I contacted Lexus. They stated that the problem was a "characteristic" of the car, and that there "was nothing wrong with the car. " Lexus knows the car's transmission is defective, but the fix is too costly. So, consumers are going to be stonewalled. The NHTSA should immediately recall all Lexus vehicles with the 330 engine mated to this new 5 speed transmission before someone is injured/killed. If you or anyone else has any questions, please feel free to call me at 713/781-6815.

Automatic transmission produces unpredictable and erratic behavior, including vehicle hesitation, transmission slipping, and lurching on acceleration. I feel this is a serious safety concern for which the public should be made aware. I have had the vehicle serviced on four occasions without successful remediation. The dealer claims awareness of the issues and insists that there is no immediate repair available.