Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. The contact was driving with the cruise control set to 75 MPH when the traction, engine and vehicle stability control (vsc) warning lights illuminated. The contact applied the brakes and the vehicle began to decrease in speed however when he removed his foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle began to accelerate back to 75 MPH. The cruise control would not deactivate by applying the brakes. The contact depressed the brakes again until the vehicle came to a complete stop however, the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 65 MPH when his foot was released from the pedal. The vehicle maintained a speed of 65 MPH although the cruise control was no longer activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 49,167.
2008 Lexus ES350 acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 39 of 39, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 2008 lexus es-350 - it had a recall for acceleration problems which they adjusted the gas pedal. About 3 weeks ago I pulled up to the office at my apt complex, had my foot on the brake and car continued to go forward, went over the curb and knocked down the leasing sign. I put the car in reverse still with my foot on the brake and car continued to go backwards, then put car in neutral and finally car stopped. Lexus customer service and my insurance company examined the car and said there was nothing wrong with the car. If that is true why did the car continue to go forward with my foot on the brake.
On 4-26-10, while in cincinnati ohio, I was the passenger in a 2008 lexus es350 .we were going to kroger. The driver stopped at a stop sign and after leaving the stop sign the car suddenly accelerated all by it's self to a very fast speed. Due to the car's excessive speed, the car left the street and hit 2 other vehicles & a tree. Special note: since this type car was part of a recall. Prior to the accident the owner / driver of the car had taken the car to the dealership to be "fixed" as indicated in the recall letter.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate as she depressed the accelerator pedal it responded normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test, drove the vehicle, and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 29,000.
2008 lexus es 350. Consumer writes to advise of a recent experience with the mandated recall to correct the supposed acceleration problem. *tgw the consumer stated he had never experienced any problems with his vehicle before the recall work. After the recall work was performed, the consumer was very unhappy with the position of the pedal and the loud noise that was plainly audible when driving. Upon his insistence, the service was performed again. The pedal problem was corrected, but the road noise persists. The consumer discovered without his knowledge, the dealership had replaced the original insulation with styrofoam. Styrofoam instead of sound-proofing material does not seem to be an appropriate solution, since it magnifies sound.
2008 lexus es350. Acceleration issues *gr the consumer is requesting an official, written response from lexus detailing the exact modification intended to be performed under the recall and a detailed account of how the system installed will perform including specific detail of the certain speeds and driving conditions referred to in the aforementioned recall letter. The consumer stated he does not intend to have any recall related modifications performed on his vehicle until such time, he receives a satisfactory written response to his query.
2008 lexus es 350. Consumer asserts that accelerator problems are caused by computer issues. *tgw the consumer stated when the air bag deployed after crashing into a tree due to the vehicle suddenly accelerating, the air bag injured his leg. The battery died and had to be replaced, the vsc and trac lights illuminated. The vehicle went dead again, but it wasn't because of the battery. The consumer stated he has had 4 loaner cars in a matter of 4 weeks, due to all the problems he has experienced with his vehicle. *jb updated 04/06/10.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. While sitting idle at a stop light with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle abnormally surged forward and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact did not sustain any injuries; however the occupant of the second vehicle involved sustained unknown injuries. The police arrived to the scene and a report was filed accordingly. The contact was held liable for the crash and all repairs were handled through her insurance company. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was informed the vehicle abnormally accelerated. Later, the contact received a recall notification (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v38800, vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) pertaining to possible unintended acceleration. The vehicle was taken in for recall repairs and has not experienced any failures since. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000 and the current was 26, 000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. While driving at speeds of 10 MPH, the vehicle began to rapidly accelerate without warning. The contact tried to apply the brakes but the vehicle would not decrease in speed. The vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The manufacturer was notified but nothing was done regarding any repairs. The failure and current mileages were just under 14,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. Upon starting the vehicle, it would shake violently and the engine would roar loudly, the check engine light would also illuminate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they could not duplicate the failure; however, they did perform an open recall, the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v388000: vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal. She noticed that even when slightly depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle would rapidly pick up speed beyond what it should. The current and failure mileages were approximately 12,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. The contact states she just recently had the recall done for the accelerator pedal. The contract states before having her vehicle repaired it had no problems and it was driving fine. The contact states now when she takes her foot off of the brake the vehicle does not seem to stop like it use to. The failure and current was 14,642.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control at night and she was unable to stop the vehicle when she applied the brakes. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH prior to the failure. The vehicle drove over the curb and collided into a tree and a retaining wall. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The contact called the manufacturer and was told that a representative would come out to inspect the vehicle. The contact noticed small instances of surging but not to the point where she could not stop or control the vehicle. The vehicle was currently at the body shop awaiting inspection. The current and failure mileages were approximately 45,000.
2008 lexus 350 with acceleration problem not yet discussed by toyota..sometimes at a full stop or at slow speeds it automatically accelerates.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. While driving 10 MPH and merging into traffic the vehicle drifted to the right. Within minutes, the vehicle surged forward out of control and as the contact tried to depress the brakes, the vehicle crashed onto the train tracks. The air bags did not deploy. The passenger sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. The police arrived and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The insurance company inspected the vehicle. The contacts insurance also increased as a result of the failure which resulted in a crash. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5500.
Tl*the contact previously leased a 2008 lexus es350. The contact stated that within one year of leasing the vehicle, she was driving at approximately 40 MPH when the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate because the pedal was stuck. She was able to release the pedal and avoid a crash. She called the dealer and was told that the mats were the cause so she took them out of the vehicle. On 01/22/2010, while driving, the vehicle suddenly accelerated from 60 MPH up to almost 100 MPH. She kicked the pedal until it released. She then returned the vehicle to the dealership and refused to drive it. She was waiting for the dealer to terminate the lease. The current and failure mileages were approximately 37,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. When she attempted to merge into traffic at approximately 10 MPH the vehicle drifted, hit the curb and accelerated out of control. The vehicle came to a complete stop when it crashed into a rail road parking lot fence. She received injuries to her chest. The connecticut police report 2009-015560 was filed. The insurance company declared that the vehicle was destroyed. Updated 05/04/2010. *lj updated 07/16/10
I purchased a 2008 lexus es 350 on february 21, 2008. On may 28, 2008, I took the car to the dealer, lexus of jacksonville, fl, because the gas pedal stuck on may 26, 2008. When this occurred, the car accelerated to over 80 MPH and I had to insert my foot underneath the pedal to unstick and raise the pedal to decrease acceleration. Lexus of jacksonville checked the pedal and I was told the pedal had been adjusted. The problem has not recurred. On february 19, 2008, I was contacted by lexus of jacksonville to schedule the vehicle for service as a result of the recall of the gas pedal sticking and an engine hose replacement.
I was driving a 2008 lexus es 350 down wisconsin avenue in bethesda, md and was stationary at a red traffic light at the intersection of wisconsin avenue and bradley blvd. When the light changed to green, upon lightly pressing the accelerator to get my car moving again, it started to rapidly accelerate (out of my control) and, despite my pressing the brakes with full force, the car was moving very fast and stopped only after a few hundred feet, when it crashed into the vehicle in front of me. That vehicle crashed into another vehicle in front of it. A car hit me from behind as well. My airbags went off and my car was damaged so much that it had to be towed away. I am convinced that this accident was caused by a accelerator defect in the car. This is consistent with the ongoing toyota investigation into accelerator defects in my car model. I am lucky that I survived. Had I not been in heavy traffic, that forced my car to stop, I can only imagine how much more speed I would have gained resulting in likely much greater damage to life and property.
Acceleration problem 2008 lexus e350. While entering the florida turnkpike, I accelerated quickly to merge ahead of traffic. I pushed the accelerator pedal to the floor. The pedal stuck. It felt like the vehicle speed control took over. I accelerated quickly from 45mph to 85 MPH. My first reaction was to hit the brake pedal. As I looked down at the accelerator before I hit the brake, it was depressed. When I hit the brake several times it released. While shaken, I continued on to my destination in miami. I was careful not to accelerate quickly. When I returned to west palm beach I took the vehicle to the lexus dealer and informed them of the problem. The lexus dealer indicated my vehicle was part of the recall for floor mats. The floor mats were not secured to the hooks. The floormat hook holes were behind the hooks and mats were back against the front seat supports. The mats were no where near the brake pedal or the accelerator at the time of the incident or when I arrived at the lexus dealership. The service manager insisted the problem occurred due to the floor mats. I disagreed knowing the position of the mats when the incident occurred and the reaction of the vehicle. The dealership replaced the recalled floormats. My complaint is they denied there is a problem with the vehicle speed control and insisted it was a problem with the floor mats. I have a difficult time understanding why they are not also checking the vehicle speed control software. While this is the only occurrence of this type of incident since I have owned the vehicle, I now have a very uneasy feeling about accelerating quickly. Since I have owned the car, there have been very few times I accelerated quickly. I don't feel my concern or complaint has been properly addressed. There was never any indication from the lexus dealer that they looked any further than the floormats to solve the problem. The dealership is lexus of west palm beach. Please advise.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. While parking the vehicle the accelerator pedal extended to the floor while having his foot was on the brake pedal and accelerated over a curb and hit a restaurants wall. There were no injuries. The police was notified and they didn't provide a report. The vehicle was towed to a lexus dealer, diagnosed and they didn't tell him what caused the acceleration. The front end was repaired by the insurance company. The failure mileage was 7000. The current mileage was 9000.
2008 lexus es350 owner lexus accelerated without warning. Would like to be kept informed about the ongoing progress for this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008,lexus es350. He stated while pulling into a parking space at speeds of less than 10 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and began to accelerate. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to no avail. The vehicle crashed into a tree. The frontal airbags deployed and caused minor injuries to the contact's face. The bottom airbags also deployed and caused injuries to the legs of both the driver and passenger of the vehicle. The police arrived at the scene of the crash and a police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were under 14,000. Updated 2/26/10 *cn updated 09/07/10
2008 lexus 350 unexpected acceleration. Moving slow in parking lot pulling into parking space. Light pressure on brake. Engine went to high RPM car accelerated pushed hard on brake, put in neutral. Engine went back to idle. My bumper hit unoccupied parked car in front of me. Dealer denies anything wrong.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus es 350. While driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle began to accelerate without intention. After repeated brake application, the vehicle started to decelerate. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure and current mileages were 19,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
On october 1, 2009 my 2008 lexus es 350 experienced uncontrolled acceleration. Upon entering the highway the vehicle increased in speed to approx. 90 MPH without depressing the accelerator. The vehicle did not stop or slow down even after stepping forcefully on the brakes. I pushed the start/stop button on the dashboard numerous times and the car would not stop or cut off. Somehow, through the grace of god I begin shifting the gears, once the gear was placed in neutral the speed finally broke and the car slowed down. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the car had difficulty coming to a complete stop. Once the car actually stopped I called the lexus dealership and a flatbed was sent and the car was towed to the dealership for service. The lexus service department determined the damage consisted of burnt front pads and rotors and burnt rear pads and rotors that all occurred while trying to stop the runaway vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 es350 lexus. While driving 60 MPH all of a sudden the vehicle accelerated without touching the accelerator pedal. The consumer applied the brakes; however, the vehicle would not stop. The consumer was forced to shift gears into neutral to stop the vehicle; although, the vehicle stopped the engine was still revving. The contact had to engage the accelerator pedal a couple of times since it was stuck in place. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. Within the last three to four weeks the failure has happens 3 to 4 times and has become progressively worse. The dealer will make another attempt to diagnose the failure and the manufacturer was notified of the acceleration problem. The failure and current mileage was 6000. Updated 11/10/09 *bf while driving, the accelerator pedal became stuck and would not return to its position. The consumer had to place the vehicle in neutral to stop it. Updated 11/10/09 updated 11/10/09 *cn updated 11/13/09.*jb the consumer stated the floor mats were not the cause, because they were in the trunk of the car. Updated 11/17/09.
I was driving south on interstate 5 in california near oceanside on may 10, 2009 from orange county towards carlsbad, ca. When approaching highway 78, I felt the vehicle increasing in speed to about 90 MPH, without depressing the accelerator. I had been on cruise control at about 73 MPH (probably 68-69 MPH actual speed). I had two passengers in my car. The female passenger screamed at me to slow down. I was unable to do so even after stepping forcefully on the brakes. Also disengaged the cruise control, by pushing the button on the end of a stem, so that the green cruise indicator light disappeared, since I noticed the cruise control still on even after touching the brakes ( I assumed from previous experience that speed controls are ignored when stepping on the brake) my commands to slow the car down were inactive, but I continued pumping the brakes and the other passenger suggested to turn the engine off; so I pushed the start/kill button on the dashboard briefly, but did not hear or noticed the engine stopping. Somehow, a few seconds later the car finally slowed down and I steered the car to side of the road and stopped the car to get my breath back. After a few minutes I started the engine and she (the vehicle) responded normal. And proceeded on I-5 to my home in carlsbad (about 3-4 miles) from where I finally got control of the vehicle. So far this incidence only occurred once. Took the car to the dealer, after hearing about a fatal accident caused by a similar event ( stuck accelerator) was told that the car checked out ok and could not repeat this problem. Preliminary cause for the fatal crash in this area was explained by a mat that was not properly anchored. I did have non-standard mats in the car, but could not have caused a stuck accelerator during my incident in my opinion, however I have removed the driver's seat mat . *tr the consumer sent in pictures. Updated 11/16/09
On november 5, 2008 I was driving on a freeway in my 2008 lexus es 350 with the cruise control on. I gave the car a little extra gas to pass another car and the car just took off. I tried to disengage the accelerator by trying to turn off the cruise control switch as well as tapping on the brake pedal, but it would not disengage. I tried to turn off the engine by pushing the keyless ignition button, but it would not turn off. I checked the floor to make sure that there wasn't anything on the accelerator, and there wasn't. I then put the car in neutral, but when I did this, the engine sounded as if it were going to explode, so I put it back in gear. By this time, I was going well over 100 MPH. My only choice was to stand on the brakes. Within seconds, the car was in a cloud of smoke coming from the 4 wheels/brakes. The car began to slow as thankfully the brakes were stronger than the engine which was going at its maximum RPM's. The car went over a mile before finally coming to a stop. I was then able to put the car in park and stop the engine. After a few moments, when I had calmed down a bit, I started the engine again and it immediately start racing at maximum RPM's again, so I shut it off and called hendrick lexus. They sent a tow truck to tow the car in. When we got to the dealership, I told the service director that I was lucky that I wasn't killed and I did not want to ever get in that car again. He stated that he understood the seriousness of the event. Lexus investigated and said that there must have been something heavy on the accelerator. This is simply not true. The "experts" that lexus brought in from out to do an investigation never even acknowledged that I was unable to disengage the cruise control during this life threatening situation. An internet search has determined that there are more than 40 cases of "runaway accelerator" reported to the federal safety agency on the es350, and many of these incidents have resulted in serious crashes and personal injuries.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus es350. On march 27, 2008, while driving 5 MPH, the contact heard a high pitched sound coming from the engine. A second later, she heard a roaring noise like that of a rocket ship coming from the engine. The vehicle immediately accelerated on its own and stopped when it crashed into a tree. The vehicle is currently at the collision shop. The insurance company did not provide a report for the cause of the failure. The contact sustained serious injuries to her legs. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 4,242. Consumer sent in additional information on 06/26/08. *kb the repair shop stated the cause of the crash was the electronic wire accelerator. Updated 06/26/08
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