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View Full Version : Any Lexus ES/RX owners out there? Need info =)



dennyk
05-20-2005, 02:26 PM
Hi there!

Just curious, any of you own any Lexus ES/RX in particular 2002-2005 models?
i'm here in the US and own an 2005 ES330, and it has some rather horrible transmission which hesitates and then jerks full-strength when you let it cruise at slow speeds then hit the accelerator (even gently)...

Apparently, other ES/RX from 2002 onwards also faces this problem...
Lexus admits it, and they say it's a software problem which they have been trying to fix all this while (with new Technical Service Bulletins, but still does not really solve the problem)...
Actually, i had the impression that Lexus was a superb trustable brand, but am kinda disappointed and sad that my purchase came like this... din know about this issue before i bought it...

Anyways, this post is not meant to be a mere rant.... while i was searching for more information about this issue, i came up with a post saying that actually, Lexus ES/RX-series from 2002 onwards in other countries do not have this problem... and the whole problem here in the US (or maybe in European countries too?) with the transmission thingy is caused by the EPA... (my bet is that Lexus're trying to conform to EPA's standards to get better emission ratings? Interestingly, i think both these 2 series are rated ULEV-2 (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle))
Well okie the poster was not exactly sure about the whole rest of the world, but he mentioned explicitly that in Japan, these Lexus cars do not have this problem...
So i'm wondering, are there any Lexus ES/RX owners out there, especially in other countries/regions such as Asia, experiencing or not experiencing this problem?

The problem is really obvious, so you'd definitely realize your car suffers from it... because when you slow down (eg nearing red traffic lights) and let it cruise a bit and then hit the accelerator pedal (turns out the traffic light went green as you near the traffic light), your car will not respond at all for 1-2seconds then suddenly speeds (and jerks) uncontrollably, even despite you pressing down the accelerator super gently....

Just trying to learn more about the Lexus brand... and whether it's actually as good as i thought it was...

burnout
05-20-2005, 03:06 PM
i think you would get better answers if you ask this at an auto community rather than an anime one. who here is actually that loaded to own a lexus?

dennyk
05-20-2005, 06:44 PM
Ah hmm... didnt mean to brag...
Genuinely thought maybe with HF's big community, i'd get some answers from say Asia or elsewhere...
It's just that the automobile forums that i've randomly googled for seems to have only American members.... or maybe Europeans too.... but either way, all of them complained about the issues i mentioned above....
N i came from Asia, and i dont think people there would have some kind of automobile club online forum where they'd be discussing issues online...
Then suddenly, i just remembered there's Hongfire.... bound to have lotsa people hahah =)

i guess i'm just a bit luckier in that aspect....
But i'm sure there are not few people around in the forum who drive much better cars than a Lexus... well cars and anime arent along the same line of discussion afterall (well unless it's Initial D haha), so we wudn't know what crazy cars HF members are driving out there.... -sweats-

Thanks for responding anyways Burnout =)
Still crossing my fingers to have someone elsewhere say his/her car doesnt have this problem >_<

karasuma
05-21-2005, 10:39 AM
Hrm... I am from Asia and I definitely don't understand your purpose here. Are you trying to brag that you have a lexus? Or you are trying to brag that there are more people in Asia that has lexus? Either way, it come across as obnoxious.

Most people here are in their teen and twenties and unless they have rich parents, won a lottery or willing to mortgage their next 5 years on a car. They are not going to spend US $40,000 on a car. Like burnout said, if you can afford a lexus, you will get good customer support. Just call them up.

dennyk
05-21-2005, 02:10 PM
Errr no no, that's not what my purpose is....
i wudn't brag a car that has a poor transmission problem wud i?
My purpose is trying to find out whether these 2 models (ES/RX) in Asia (or anywhere non-US/Europe) has the same problem...

Lexus America has acknowledged this problem on ALL their ES/RX cars from 2002 model onwards and CANNOT do anything about it... they have been giving software upgrades but the problem does not go away.... [trust me, when the problem happens, you'd be so disappointed with the car]

N there's this one guy's post on a forum whom i read that said he heard the problem does not happen in Lexus cars in Japan, and the problem with their US cars only happens because Lexus US is trying to conform to some EPA standards... (tt's the Environmental Protection Agency)

So i'm just rather curious how true his statement is, that's all....
Trying to restore my brand confidence in Lexus....
Err sorry for misunderstanding.....

dennyk
05-21-2005, 02:11 PM
N maybe it'll warn anyone who wants to buy any of these 2 car models....

OniKyatto
05-21-2005, 02:31 PM
"Just curious, any of you own any Lexus ES/RX in particular 2002-2005 models?
i'm here in the US and own an 2005 ES330, and it has some rather horrible transmission which hesitates and then jerks full-strength when you let it cruise at slow speeds then hit the accelerator (even gently)..."

Sounds like your transfer case.... does your RX have all time AWD or can u change it? Does this problem happen in 2wd front? (my guess is yes) does this happen in 2wd rear (less likely its the rear transfer case). I have also heard problem with the door handles (doors dont open) and with the headlights that change angle as you turn to keep the light pointed at the turn...they simply stop turning after 2 or so years. You didnt pick the best car to buy. motortred did a 2 year test on the 2003 Rx330 and it failed. Try to find the motortred article if you can it has lots of info on it...sorry I cant give you a link or anything. Lexus does make good cars but thier Rxs are horrible.... I recomend you sell it before u lose money on it. Well hope i was helpful

dennyk
05-22-2005, 04:11 AM
Thanks OniKyatto =) !!

Oh as i typed, i have an ES, not an RX...
But thanks for the info!! ^^
Not too sure about the problem in RX, i din read too much of it... except it does have the same problem with the ES... Toyota's cars here also seem to have the same problem... Prius n Camry if i'm not wrong... since they use similar software i guess...

Thanks again for responding OniK =)