Automatic Transmission problems of the 2004 Lexus RX330 - part 2

I have a 2004 Rx330. The transmission hesitates terribly, to the point this car is unsafe. I have had it in 3 times, and they tell me that's the way it is supposed to operate. They said, "I'ts trying to learn how you drive" give it time, they say, now I have 10k miles, still same problem. I waited my whole life to get a Lexus, and not they are proving to be lemons, and Lexus of all the companies, should stand behind their product. They are not doing anything. It's going to get someone killed. When are they going to help me and the others that are having trouble? it seems to be when you start from a stop, in the lower gears. Lexus said this car doesn't need the "update".

2004 Lexus RX 330 has intermittant, erratic automatic transmission. Dealer says it is a "hesitatiion issue", but rfeuses to confirm in writing because manufacturer says it's the way the car is designed. Even though countless others have complained, nothing has been done.

Many owners of 2004 Rx330 have reported problems with the 5-speed automatic transmission. There is a substantial "lag" in shifting at low speeds around 20 mph with occasional reports of the car revving to "redline" without the transmission engaging. This results in the vehible becoming immobile in intersections or when exiting toolbooths. There is a similar problem at around 40 mph. It has happened to our vehicle at least 6 times, two of which nearly resulted in an accident from being "rear-ended. " Lexus has released a software upgrade but this reportedly has not corrected the problem. After denying that there waa a TSB for the problem, the dealer said that it could not "recommend" the upgrade.

Hesitation on 2004 Lexus RX 330 transmission. It's unsafe to pull out in traffic with this car. You don't know if the car will proceed or if it will hesitate while in traffic. Lexus says it's a design issue, with no fix. Lexus told us to use premium gas - then did an ecm reflash - then said it's a design issue. This car does this every time I drive it. It's great on the freeway at 60 mph, but from a starting position or a low speed position in the city - it's terrible - more importantly it doesn't feel safe. Today - it even surged when I pulled away from a light.

Purchased a new 2004 Lexus RX 330 in August of 2003 and repeatedly brought the car to dealerships complaining of a disconnect between the electronic accelerator and the transmission. When attempting to accelerate in an intersection or on a freeway entrance ramp, the car will hesitate for a few seconds and then catapult forward. Also, when driving at low speeds, the transmission will erratically jump between different gears, as if looking for the optimal gear. I can best describe this transmission as schizophrenic. I have contacted multiple Lexus dealers over the years from minneapolis, to chicago to salt lake city and they all told me they are aware of the problem as many customers have complained. However, Lexus has never offered service or a recall to fix the problem. They have reprogrammed my transmission on 2 occasions and told me to use premium fuel. None of these actions corrected the situation. I feel that in a busy intersection, the unpredictable acceleration of my vehicle provides no assurance that my car will move forward when the accelerator is pressed. This can lead to collision and injury.

I am leasing a 2004 Lexus RX 330 fwd with about 20,000 miles on it. When I try to apply the throttle after slowing down there is a severe hesitation, usually followed by a sudden surge in power. At times there is an additional hesitation while the transmission is deciding what gear it should be in. This is especially noticeable while making a turn at an intersection, and especially dangerous if there are pedestrians in the intersection. I have had it to the leasing dealer (longo Lexus) and they reprogrammed the transmission, which provided a temporary and partial fix. After a few weeks, aparently the transmission reprogrammed itself and the problem returned. I took the car to a second dealer and he said that they had many similar complaints about that driveline, but there was no factory fix. I called Lexus customer service and they said the same. This problem began shortly after I got the car in April 2003 and still exists. If Lexus truly wanted to fix this problem, it would have already been done. They need a push.

Lexus 2004 RX 330 - transmission. Shifting hesitation, Lexus has addressed the problem with a change in computer shifting points but it has not fixed the problem. They now refuse to help further saying only that it is within design standards. Many complaints on this problem in Lexus owners forum web site, but no help from Lexus.

I too have had ongoing problems with my 2004 Lexus RX 330. I have had my car in the repair center three times already for hesitation and lagging between gears and vibrations noises throughout the car. I personally do not feel safe in this car because it drives inconsistently and on several occasions, I have almost been rear-ended or have stalled in an intersection because the car does not properly accelarate. I have written a letter to the dealership and have contacted Lexus customer service numerous times. I am being told that this is normal. Normal to who? it is obvious, by many comments I have reviewed by other owners of this same vehicle that there is a serious issue here that Lexus is choosing to ignore because they do not have a solution. I wonder how long they will continue to turn their heads. I drove an RX 300 for several years and it was completely different. I bought another Lexus for safety and reliability factors and I do not feel either in the new RX 330. Please investigate this problem before someone gets seriously hurt.