Lexus GS350 owners have reported 6 power train related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common power train problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's power train (6 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
On a hill in a residential community, car in drive with foot on the brake , let passenger out started to park then car started going backward down hill and there were no brakes to stop ,therefore had to hit something to stop car from going down hill and gaining speed where I could of been killed. Hit a large planter in front of a house.
Three times in the last week I have experience a dangerous hesitation in accelerating at a low speed after applying the brakes. No matter how hard I press down on the accelerator, the car does not respond.
2009 Lexus GS 350. Consumer stated the first time he experienced sudden acceleration, he was pulling out of his driveway, when the vehicle surged forward uncontrollably. He applied the brake, but could only stop the vehicle by putting the transmission gear into neutral. Fortunately, there was adequate space and time to take action and avoid an accident. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The second event took place nearly a year later, as the consumer was pulling into a parking space, when the vehicle suddenly surged forward uncontrollably. I'm quoting an excerpt from another report that I found documented on your website which is almost the exact same history as mine. The only difference is the last and most recent episode resulted in a minor crash. I was going to work in phila on a tues morning at about 6:45 when I saw the car in front of me stopping for a red light and proceeded to brake, only to have the car lurch forward when I had my foot fully depressing the brake and the speed had already declined to about 5 miles per hour. My front bumper made contact with the rear of the car in front and after coming to a complete stop, again surged forward to hit the car a second time. Both drivers got out to examine if there was any damage and finding none except for a possible minor scratch to the rear bumper of the car I hit, we decided not to file a police report. The weather that morning was bitterly cold but the recent snow fall in phila had been cleared and the road was dry. I reported the incident to Lexus and an incident report was filed with Toyota who sent an investigator to recover the edr which I have on a thumb drive and is being analyzed by Toyota. Dealership service dept could not replicate the problem but assured me the car was safe to drive. I'm requesting an independent review of the data.
When starting the my car, 2007 Lexus GS 350, the engine revved up to an estimated 5000 rpm for 5 - 10 sec then settled down to the normal idle (1000 rpm range). This was the first time this has happened. Transmission was still in park, parking brakes still on. I am original owner/driver. The car has approximately 30000 miles. Immediately took to the Lexus dealer. Diagnostics were run, no defects were detected. Floor mat was not involved. I was simply starting the car, with the Smart key, my foot has to be on the brake in order to start the car, thus impossible to be stepping on the accelerator.
Lexus Gs350: experiencing ongoing engine knocking noises during startup, idle, and stop light situations. Dealer service assured that it was normal operation, however the noises did not come until about 9500 miles. It does not sound normal.
2008 ES 350 surge --as I was gliding (no acceleration) into my parking space in front of my town home, my car suddenly surged forward, jumped the curb and crashed into my brick town home. I applied my to the brakes, and the car continued to surge forward. I called my Lexus dealer who said "this is impossible and could never happen and you just accidentally hit the gas pedal" . I did not hit the gas pedal. I had pictures taken of the crash, wrote a letter to Lexus of north amercia stating and requesting a different ES 350 (it is a leased car). I received a grammatically incorrect letter back from Lexus that was there no reason for the problem and that is essentially was my fault. I have a copy of the letter. . The Lexus gm of sales in alexandria denied that a surge could have happened and clearly is was my fault.