2005 Lexus ES330: jerking or lurching

Filed May 11, 2015 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · SC

Did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often. I drove on the highway yesterday and the car acted up in the worst way ever.but it seems to me that with information on these same transmission issues plastered all over the internet, your organization would make toyota engineer a permanent fix for this problem, and recall and fix these cars.

Filed Jun 15, 2013 · Transmission · 98,083 miles · NC

I did not have a car accident, or experience any injuries or car damage, but this car, like numerous other cars of the same make, model, and year has some serious transmission/computer software issues at times. It hesitates and lurches often, especially in d4. I drove on the highway yesterday in d4, and the car acted up in the worst way ever. I later tried driving in d, and the car did better in town and on the highway, but it seems to me that with information on these same transmission issues plastered all over the internet, your organization would make toyota engineer a permanent fix for this problem, and recall and fix these cars. By the way, this car had the lexus software update for its transmission issues last summer, and I only use the highest octane gasoline. The car actually belongs to my elderly mother, which makes me very concerned about the possibility of her having an accident, or complete transmission failure leaving her stranded somewhere.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · OR

Transmission jerking and hesitation. Problem increasing steadily for the past year. We are experiencing hesitation when merging into traffic and just when driving at speeds of 35-40 MPH. Updated 09/16/11

Filed Aug 6, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 25 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lexus es-330. The contact stated when shifting gears, the vehicle would abnormally jerk. When accelerating, the vehicle was hesitant to respond. In addition, the vehicle would intermittently lose power as if it were attempting to stall. The dealer advised they were aware of the failure in his year and model vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25 and the current mileage was 20,000. Updated 10/25/10 *bf the consumer also stated the vehicle stalled in traffic. Also, the vehicle would move forward on its own at times. Updated 10/27/10

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Acceleration · 13,000 miles · OH · crash

2005 lexus es330 with sudden acceleration. Consumer stated on two incidents her vehicle rapidly accelerated. In one incident there was an accident. *kb the consumer stated if felt as though the cruise control had activated and the vehicle suddenly lurched forward and took off from a parking lot, down a slope, into traffic and into an oncoming car. The dealership inspected the vehicle and the consumer was told nothing was wrong and that the floor mats had possibly been the cause of the acceleration.

Filed Jan 27, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · 1,000 miles · MS

We purchased our lexus 2005 es330 brand new. We noticed the hesitation and jerking when accelerating immed after buying the car. It was taken back to the lexus dealership for the complaint two or more times. When we recieved normal services, I would ask about the acceleration and I was told that there were not any bulletins issued for the issue in which I spoke of. We were told that the car would adjust to the driver over a period of time. Presently the car shifts improperly when driven at 20-35 MPH, unexpected up shifts that occur to early and down shifts while slowing down causing the driver to have to modulate the braking to avoid either coming up to cars in traffic ahead to quickly or traffic coming from behind so as to avoid an accident from behind as you slow to quickly. Constantly scares me when I drive it because of the non responsive and quick acceleration.

Filed Dec 23, 2009 · Transmission · 66,500 miles · NC

I purchased my 2005 lexus es330 as a certified pre-own in september 2007. After driving it for a month or two. I experience a consistent hesitation issue. I took it to the local dealership and they said they would reset something in the computer to adjust to my driving style. It did not appear to help. So I've taken it back 2 times since and they say it's the normal function of the drive by wire and nothing they can do. The problem is the transmission in my lexus es330 appears not to shift down normally unless the vehicle is brought to a full stop. When slowing down for traffic then accelerating and/or slowing down to make turns at intersections or corners results in gear hesitation and lurching forward. At intersections when making left hand turns it appears to slip [no power for a brief moment). I feel the car is now unsafe to make left turns because the car may not have acceleration when needed. I have already had the car repaired for this type of issue when the lexus es330 lost all power. And since the repairs I am still having the hesitation issues and brief loss of power. I have been told by the hendrix lexus service department that this "hesitation" issue is a normal function of the drive by wire system. I cannot agree with that conclusion. There is a definite problem with the es330 and a possible safety issue. If I was to bring my car in for this issue, it would be the 3rd or 4th time at that shop for the same issue. This is a daily occurrence for my lexus es300. Please let me know what you recommend or if there is a solution at this time. Again, let me stress, I feel that the car is unsafe in making left hand turns with oncoming traffic. Thank you for helping with the safety issue.

Filed Dec 24, 2008 · Transmission · 00

Re: lexus es330('05)delays in acceleration,lurching with stops and starts,unpredictable transmission shifts,when braking car feels like it is slipping forward. Lexus first denied problem but I showed them internet blog and the federal safety agency complaints,then admitted to software problems. 3 or 4 attempts to change software helped temporarily. I was told I would get used to this. After 2 and half years of erratic shifting and several near misses on lane changes (car refused to accelerate) I threatened legal action. Lexus reluctantly change the transmission. I could not believe the difference,thought they changed the car!it finally drove the way the demo car did. More consistent acceleration,albeit still had somewhat of a delay. I no longer felt every gear shift. Stops and starts much smoother. The internet discussions are right. Some of the lexus es330 models have a serious transmission defect,but it appears to be a mechanical,not a software problem. I read the federal safety agency response to a complaint lodged against this same vehicle in 2005. The conclusion was that there were not enough complaints to launch an investigation. I would hope the federal safety agency would rethink this position. There are alot of complaints registered on the internet (I.e. Edmunds.com).I worried every time I got behind the wheel. When lexus finally changed the transmission, I felt it was finally safe to get rid of the car. I strongly believe that lexus does know about the transmission problem and how to fix it but will not voluntarily fix it unless forced to do so. They would not fix my car until I threatened legal action. Many of these cars will be going off lease and the general public is not aware of this problem. It is unfair to these buyers,not to mention risky to their lives,not to have this situation rectified. I believe that only an organization such as the federal safety agency can force lexus to remedy the situation. The only other way would be a class action law suit but I doubt enough people would come together for this. Thank you for your attention.

Filed Jul 28, 2008 · Electrical · 58,878 miles · MS

The electrical system for the air conditioner shuts down, and I can smell a burning coming through the vents ; the car also jerks while in movement.

Filed Jul 10, 2006 · Transmission · 1 miles · CA

I leased a 2005 es330 from lexus a year and a half ago. Immediately after leaving the dealership I noticed that the car had a transmission problem. At low speeds, under 30 MPH, the car would not transition through the gears properly and would jerk suddenly upon acceleration. I also noticed that there were times when the car would hesitate for a few seconds upon acceleration from a stop or low speeds. This jerking motion and hesitation of the transmission is a common problem with my type of vehicle and has been known by lexus to be a problem for the past 5 years, since 2002. This vehicle is a safety hazard in high traffic situations as it does not respond appropriately to the drivers needs, or commands.

Filed May 22, 2006 · Transmission · MN

We purchased a 2005 lexus es330 in march of 2005. After about a month of driving it, we noticed the transmission lagged when stepping on the accelerator. The transmission jerks really bad when it's shifting gears. This causes your head to jerk back. It's also very dangerous because if you are in traffic and are slowing down to stop and then keep going, the car doesn't react and you almost get rear ended by cars following behind you because they are expecting you to go. We have brought the car back to lexus many times. We have talked to a lexus rep and they admit there is a problem but that there is nothing they can do about it. This car is not the car we signed up to buy. I think lexus needs to stand behind their faulty transmission, as it is dangerous to drive a car that does not respond the way it should.

Filed Feb 1, 2006 · Acceleration · 100 miles · CA · crash

Dt*: the contact stated while applying pressure to the accelerator pedal to back up, the vehicle hesitated and then lurched forward causing the vehicle to hit the garage door. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and received no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection and the problem could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified.