Shift comfort issue exists at somewhat predictable driving conditions that cause the driver to handle the car in a cautious manner to avoid vehicle malfunction. Dt
2002 Lexus ES300 transmission complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 52 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer states that he cannot view the instrument panel during the daytime. The mfr advised the consumer that the panel is designed that way. *mr the consumer states that the white numbers on the instruments were okay, but it is extremely difficult to see the red needle during the day light (unless your in the shade/or in the evening). The consumer states that he is unable to tell the speed of travel, whether the engine is overheating, and/or the amount of fuel left. Also the multi-information displays and the odometer readings are barely visible during the daylight hours. The consumer states that he receives a standard answer that the instrument panel is working as designed.
While driving at 20mph and with no warning making a turn and vehicle will stall. It will be hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.
Can't read speedometer in bright daylight with headlights on and driver wearing sun glasses.
Car has very poor shifting characteristics. It is always annoying and sometimes unsafe. Twice I have started to quickly accelerate from a stop to turn left and had the transmission start to downshift then wait through a delay as if the software was confused. The result was the car sitting in the intersection with the accelerator depressed but no power to the wheels for around 1 or 2 seconds. Dealer acknowledges "shifting comfort" issues are the number one complaint for the car but says no fix is available. I have been in discussions with the service manager on this issue for over 8 months and have had no help.
Very difficult to see speedomoter - dark background with dark needle requires too much time to see speed.
Cannot see speed reading on dashboard in sunlight. Dealership is aware of problem. *ak the consumer also states that the change of instruments did not correct the problem. The service department said that this model has the same lighting. Right front door hard to close due to being misaligned, dealer adjusted door striker, speedometer needles difficult to see.
In day light hours when sun is out consumer can't see dials on speedometer, unable to tell how fast vehicle was going. Consumer felt this was very unsafe. *ak consumer also can not see the fuel gauge, engine speed and engine temperature.
We have an escalating shudder when down shifting the transmission. The dealer acknowledged that they have a problem with software between the engine and the powertrain/transmission. They do not have a fix and are asking customers to drive the vehicle for another possible 45 to 60 days until the fix is issued. We have requested another car since this is our 4th es400 in the past ten years and the 97 lexus we traded was in perfect condition. We are not willing to wait for a repair and have notified the company that they need to resolve our problem caused by their defective product with a new vehicle.
The car stalls and pauses in traffic. The car has rough vibration when the gears shift. The dealer said the computer was designed to operate in that manner and that there is presently no correction for the problem. The dealer acknowledged the problem, but refuses to replace the car or to buy me out because this problem has not resulted in any fatalities.
Car won't go into gear properly during stop-and-go traffic or pull out into traffic while turning a corner, resulting in unsafe situations as noted by other cars' horns honking and brakes being applied . Dealer says it performs as designed by factory, and there is no way to fix it.
While driving when sun is shining consumer is unable to read speed odometer due to poor design, black back round with white numbers and a black needle. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.
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