2003 Lexus ES300: jerking or lurching

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 Feb 23, 2010 · Fuel system · MN

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) [xxx]I own a 2003 lexus es 300. The car has been a great car but the engine has intermittently surged. I have never been able to duplicate the problem but it has happened about 20-30 times to me and has happened a couple times to my girlfriend when she has borrowed my car. It's like the engine will rev up for just a second or 2 and then rev down. The car will lurch forward during the rev up. I thought you would want to know. My address is below in case you need to reach me. [xxx]

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 Aug 31, 2004 · Electrical · CA

While sitting at an intersection vehicle jerked uncontrollably. Consumer was able to control the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that computer recalibrated (emc) engine and transmission to the computer. Consumer informed the mechanic that the problem still occurred and had not been resolved.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · FL

Vehicle lurches forward when brakes are applied.*mr this caused consumer to hit a sign. Dealership checked brake system and found no codes of defect. Also, check engine light was on due to a misfire on the cylinder.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Electrical · IL

While shifting gears vehicle jerked and hesitated to move. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the computer needed to be reset, and he reset it. However, the problem reoccured, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. Currently, the mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Transmission · IL

While driving and without warning, the transmission jerked, which caused the driver to pull off the highway. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer. *ak the vehicle jerked at acceleration, especially when going at slower speeds. The problem occurred with no warning and was intermittent which also displayed a sluggish delay. *sc

Filed May 7, 2004 · Acceleration · CA · crash

Vehicle suddenly lurched forward and veered to the right running into a wall. *mr no injuries occurred, but there's damage in the vehicle's front end and the garage wall.

Filed Mar 16, 2004 · Acceleration, Transmission · 10,000 miles · CA

There is a dangerous and unpredictable tendency for the vehicle engine/transmission combination to accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly. This is an intermittent problem which makes it especially unnerving. It is most noticeable at speeds below 40 MPH, when first slowing, followed by acceleration. It appears to be exacerbate by uncertain transmission "hunting" for proper gear/engine speed combinations. The sudden acceleration causes a rapid and jerky throttle response to mild accelerator pedal input. I have taken the car to the dealer on at least two occasions for this issue. The first time, the dealer reprogrammed the transmission. The second time, the technician tested the vehicle and note "no problem found". At current mileage of 32,000, the problem seems to be worsening. This is a dangerous condition that, if left undressed, is likely to be the cause of an accident, serious injury or much worse.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Acceleration, Brakes · 20 miles · FL · crash

While parking consumer depressed the brake pedal and vehicle lurched forward, hitting a building. The front of the vehicle was damaged. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not determine the cause of the problem.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · WI

The transmission in this car is unpredictable. It jerks, jumps and on occasion lurches ahead. It will hesitate when starting from stand still or when moving ahead at very low speeds. I have repeatedly taken it to the dealer. They have done 2 computer down loads of a supposed fix. The first lasted a day. I've been told to use only premium fuel, as this would help. I've used premium since that time with little change in the cars perfomance. My wife does not want to drive the car because of a near t-bone in a cross pattern traffic. I've had 4 similar experinces. This probem became apparent at about 1000 to 1200 miles and exits tody at about 4000 miles. All of these querky problems exist below 40 miles per hour. If you drive very aggressively (stomp on the accelerator)they aren't evident...to some exte the same is true if you barely depress the accelerator when starting to move.

Filed Oct 9, 2003 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · WI

Transmission is unpredictable. Sometimes it hesitates, sometimes it lurches. It shudders at times when shifting. I've had the car in to the dealer for 2 computer download fixes. The first lasted a day making the car seem like the demo I test drove. The car was returned and another fix by computer was done with no change to the querky, unsafe condition of this transmission. My wife was nearly broadsided in cross traffic pattern as the car hesitated as she attemped to turn onto a side street. I have had 4 similar situations. These problems are at speeds up to 40 MPH. These problems do not seem to occur if you stomp on the accelerator from a stoped position. The genearal manager at the agency has driven the car "around the block" and experianced none of these problems. Yet the servive dept. Admits its not the way this car should operate and no further manufacturer update/correction is available. They say they are working on it. The manager says per toyota this is the normal way this car drives and they won't do anything to satisfy my complaint. These two statements are a contradiction. I've been advised by one of the technicians to use premium fuel because it would help the engine/transmission work better. I've done this since that conversation and the performance is still sub standard and in stop and go traffic still unpredictable and dangerous.