2003 Lexus ES300 transmission problems

Filed May 22, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 177,500 miles · AR

I purchased a used 2003 lexus es30from used car dealer. After a couple days of driving it I noticed it was shifting gears innormally. It would surge up to 4000rmp before shifting to 2nd gear and at one point wasn't moving while I hit the gas the acceleration very fast out of nowhere. My mother also had this same year make and model vehicle a few years back and it had the same problem before the transmission went out. I did some research online and found many other lexus customers experienced the same problem. I found a web site that claimed that there was a tsb put out for this vehicle and that the lexus/toyota dealerships would fix this problem with an upgrade. I was wondering if this upgrade is still available and if my vehicle would qualify? And if so how would I go about this process.

Filed Nov 14, 2013 · Transmission · 86,541 miles · KS

I purchased my vehicle from carmax about 2.5 months ago with an extended warranty. After driving my vehicle daily back and forth to work, I noticed the hesitation while coming to complete stop or a traffic light. The RPM would increase while the transmission would hesitate when I pushed the accelerator between the speeds of 10 - 35 MPH. At first sign, it appeared the transmission was defected, so I decided to take it to carmax service center. Two days later I received my 2003 lexus es300 with a clean slate (the service technicians indicated the transmission did not indicated wear) and I was told to bring it back if I still had the same problem. I am taking my vehicle to the service center with more information tomorrow. Lexus/toyota needs to either recall these vehicles to fix this issue or they will have a major lawsuits from a lot of people with a class action suite. This is a very dangerous situation and needs to be address from lexus/toyota representatives to keep toyota/lexus in good standings. After reading other complaints, I am really nervous about driving my vehicle and I just purchased it.

Filed Jun 21, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 57,000 miles · FL

We have experienced on several occassions that vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate at stop sign or when initialy in start to drive at about 20-30 miles per hour at times for few seconds & at times it rattles 3-4 times. This car was purchased as certified pre-owned from lexus dealer in excellent condition in 2006 that came with extended warranty upto 75000 miles but this problem started with slight & smooth jerk about 3 years back, took it to dealer after noticed for few times to diagnosis. At first instance they could not feel it since it was not consistent but when again complained for second time was told that it could be fuel injectors cloged followed by other list of potential service items we were talking about $1000+ expense which we denied it since we have always maintained our car good & always use 93 or 89 octaine gas with maintenance service as recommended. This one is my wife's vehicle & used to commute to work mostly on express way. We do have couple other issues with this car but not as important. Now, lately this hesitation frequency have increased & from what I hear is that we are not alone and this seems to be an ongoing issue with some other es300 owners as well.

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 40,000 miles · MN

2003 es 300 - transmission issues: I have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration almost every time, along with hard shifting 50% of the time. The acceleration hesitation can be scary if I'm trying to enter the highway, or turning left. The hard shifting feels like I got hit from behind. Both problems have been going ongoing for years and lexus dealer has never been any help. I read many of the online forums and found that both of these problems are very common as are their results for getting these issues fixed - not much luck from the dealer - "it works as it is designed". Really? Lexus needs to stand behind their product. I can't believe how many complaints I have read (100s) and their hasn't been a recall. How does a consumer go about pushing for a recall, or class action or will the lemon law work?

Filed Apr 9, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

2003 lexus es300 with accelerator pedal, automatic transmission, and vehicle speed control issues. Consumer states that the when trying to accelerate from a low speed there is a delay before the engine responds. *kb the consumer stated he experienced a significant abrupt downshift when slowing down from higher speeds and an abrupt upshift when accelerating from a slow speed. It felt as though the transmission could not decide what gear it should be in. The consumer was advised a computer patch was available for the problem, but it usually did not work and it could make the problem worse.

Filed Feb 6, 2010 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · NY · crash

I was driving slowly, less than 10 MPH, approaching a red light behind another vehicle. Suddenly, my car accelerated forward and could not be stopped by braking. I collided with the rear end of the car in front of me. There were no injuries, but both cars had significant damage.

Filed Jun 27, 2006 · Transmission · 12,390 miles · WI · crash · 1 injury

The lexus es300 has had a serious hesitation problem since delivery in march 2003. I have had it in for service several times before the accident complaining about this problem. On may 8th,2006, my wife was trying to make a left turn at an intersection and upon accelerating through the turn the car hesitated/lagged and was struck by an oncoming auto. After contacting lexus direct, they came out to test drive the auto. I was contacted several days later and was told that my lexus has no problem. Since this problem still exists, I took the car back in for service on may 26th, 2006 and again was told that my car had already received a transmission computer update and their final words were "vehicle is operating as designed at this time". This car still has the problem.

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Transmission · CA

While shifting the transmission had a ten minute delay before responding, and the transmission jerked uncontrollably. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. Mechanic determined that the vehicle was operating as designed.

Filed Mar 6, 2005 · Transmission · 1 miles · OH

From the day I got the car the automatic transmission has been in trouble. The problem is the shift from 1st to 2nd. Under light throttle there is free wheeling and engine run-up and it bumps into second. I know it will eventually fail. Lexus has played with the computer control but can't correct this. They tell me this normal, but I know it is not normal for any non- lexus transmission.

Filed Nov 17, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 5 miles · NY

There is a delay after sitting at a stop light and then at take off. The dealer could duplicate the problem and the manufacturer and dealer states that it is the new design. *ak the problem would also occur when making a left turn, merging into traffic, entrance ramps, intersections and parking spots. *sc