2005 Lexus ES330: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Lights, Transmission · 132,000 miles · FL

1. Headlights: before purchasing the vehicle, I noticed the blinking caution light on the dashboard. Service manager said the automatic headlight adjustment was working fine and to ignore the blinking caution light. Nothing could be done. I later researched and found there are lots of complaints about this. 2. Transmission lags at low speeds. This is incredibly dangerous especially when driving through traffic circles and going through busy intersections. Service manager said this is normal operating and to use a higher octane gas. I am returning vehicle to lexus.

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Lights, Visibility · 33,000 miles · IL

2005 lexus es 330 developed problems with the high intensity discharge headlamps. The low beam headlights do not provide adequate illumination, especially on roads with no street lights, reflectors or lane markings. There is a sharp cutoff of light about 40-50 feet in front of the car beyond which there is little or no light cast on the roadway surface. Reflective signs can be seen farther away but one cannot help but overdrive the lights at any speed above 20mph because nothing on the road itself is illuminated. The low beams seem to be deliberately aimed at the ground 40-50' away. Light in the 40-50' zone in front of the car is adequate. Beyond that it is not. The car was purchased new in jan 2005 and the problem did not arise until 2-3 years later, or at least that's when I first noticed it. The dealer checked the lights and stated the high intensity lights could not be adjusted to raise the cutoff point(lights are self leveling) and that the lights were working normally. This is not a problem if there is oncoming traffic because their lights illuminate the road between my car and theirs. However on a dark street with no oncoming cars it's like driving into a pool of darkness past the 40-50 foot cutoff of light in front of the car. I have to use the high beams when on a pitch black road, but that's not a good solution. I will not buy another car without checking the performance of the lights on a dark road. Lexus needs to fix this - it is an accident waiting to happen. Mileage on the car in now in the mid 40s. This condition is ongoing, not intermittent.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Brakes · 28,250 miles · MD · crash

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2005 lexus model es330(VIN#[xxx] ). After entering a parking space at a shopping mall at very slow speed. My lexus accelerated forward with my foot hard pressed on the brake, jumping an island impacting head on with the car parked in front. This accident caused extensive damage on both cars. Replaced the hood, grid, both head lamps, and front bumper on my car. The passenger of the other car was not in the car and was shopping in the mall. Fortunately there were no personal injuries. I called my lexus dealer (lexus of silver spring, md and was told that the 2005 lexus es330 was not covered by toyota's recall for braking or accelerator problems. Since then, I carefully pull the carpet back when start driving. Hope your investigation will include the 2005 lexus es330 model.

Filed Sep 19, 2005 · Lights · AZ

2005 lexus es 330 developed problems with the high density discharge headlamps.*mr the headlights did not provide adequate illumination especially on sand or gravel roads with no street lights, reflectors or lane markings.

Filed Oct 25, 2004 · Acceleration, Transmission · 100 miles · MA · crash

(1) car was nearly new, only 100 miles, no abnormal behavior up to that point. (2) while shifting into park as part of the process of parking, and with no pressure on accellerator, car suddenly lurched forward, striking concrete stancheon of parking lot light pole. This resulted in damage to the front bumper, frame, right quarter-panel, right headlight assembly, causing over $4,000 in repair costs. (3) above problems were repaired by a dealer-approved auto body shop.