I bought a used 2004 lexus rx in december of 2008. Ever since owning the vehicle, at random times when accelerating from a stop or slow movement, it will hesitate and then revs up and thrusts forward. I told my mechanic (a certified lexus mechanic) about it and he said that I should take it to the lexus dealer to have the "computer program updated". I took it to them last spring and they made me drive it with them to feel the hesitation and thrusting forward and then took it into the shop to complete the reprogramming of it. But then they looked at the car's records and it said that the car had already been reprogrammed and they told me that they couldn't reprogram it again. The mechanic said he would send notice of the problem to lexus, but I never heard anything back from the dealer or lexus. My car still does this revving up and thrusting forward. There has been no accident, but I thought you might want to know about a problem with a lexus accelerator and its computer system, that they either ignored or can't fix. Do you think this could be a precursor to a serious problem and maybe an accident in the future? I am nervous now that I have heard all about the problems with lexus accelerators and accusations of cover-ups. I took it to the dealer and nothing was fixed and no one had the courtesy to let me know why not. Who should I trust to take it to now? Am I in danger in the future? Have you had other complaints about the lexus accelerator computer system?
2004 Lexus RX330 transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 69, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission initially fails to engage in gear causing driver to increase acceleration upon which gears suddenly (and sometimes dangerously) engage & jerk vehicle forward.
I was traveling south bound doing the speed of 70 on the expressway when all of a sudden my power was lost it dropped to zero, it could have been a very bad accident, but I thank god it was not, I had to coast and try to get off the freeway onto the side of the freeway.
Transmission jerk, lags and hesitates, car looses power when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. On going problem, had dealer perform ECM reprogramming as per technical service bulletin, condition persists, get worse. Safety issue when trying to accelerate out of traffic or avoid an object on the road. Brought car back to dealer service, they stated condition is "normal". Many many more similar complaints on several blogs and message boards on the internet. Car not safe to drive. Should have the transmission replaced.
Vehicle keeps making noises at around 30 MPH. Root cause is that a transmission cooling line on my 2004 when under pressure bangs against the body of the vehicle. Lexus was well aware of this issue, so they re-designed the line on newer vehicle. Lexus is willing to replace the part but at owner cost. I believe this is a defect and lexus need to replace the part under their own cost.
Upon acelleration, this vehicle sometimes hesitates and at times almost causing an accident. I have taken this to the lexus dealership and they are aware of it. They say there is no fix. I was told to use premium gas, and I havebeen told that the new software is in and that is all they could do.
On several occasions, I get a lot of hesitation in the transmission during high speed driving on the freeway and also driving in the city. There has been times when I try to accelerate and the transmission struggles to increase in speed and chokes up but it doesn't cut off. I've noticed that when I drive on the freeway at speeds of 55 or 60 and try to increase the acceleration, the vehicle will not accelerate when you press on the gas pedal. It will take 5-10 seconds to think about increasing and then it revvs up in rpms and then just kicks in. You can hear the engine making all of hesitation noise and also seeing the hesitation on the RPM and speedometer reading. I've taken this issue into the dealership several times and they told me that is operating per the design specifications and that it is not out of specs. They then tell me that there is an update to the transmission software so they supposedly update it to operate better. I have never seen a difference after the update.
Transmission hesitation on 2004 lexus rx330 nearly resulted in high speed accident on several occasions. On july 14, 2007 while merging from I-75 in tampa on ramp into rush hour traffic, the lexus at first failed to slow (to match speeds) when gas pedal was released, then when the pedal was depressed to accelerate after the merge (traffic flow was erratic), it failed to accelerate for about 2 seconds, and we had to drive off the pavement to avoid a rear end collision. We have reported the transmission hesitation problem to lexus 5 or more times so far, and they say it is operating as designed. This situation is hazardous under certain common traffic conditions. The july 14, 2007 incident was one of several where we nearly had a serious accident because of the transmission delay. *tr updated 01/09/08. *lj the consumer stated in heavy rain defogger turned to keep windows clear. While driving if vehicle hits a large puddle A/C will turn off and no way to restart the A/C other than to turn the ignition off. Updated 12/12/07
I own a 2004 lexus rx330. Since I have owned it, there has been a power "fade" when I make sudden speed changes usually from a slow down to quick acceleration--say a lane change to avoid slower traffic. There is approximately 2 or 3 seconds when there is no response from pressing the accelerator. It feels like all power falls away. I am left like a sitting duck until the vehicle decides what to do with my command. If I am crossing a median, I must allow for this delay. However, if I have to change lanes to avoid another vehicle making an unsignaled turn or sudden stop, I am putting myself and others in danger because I cannot count on having the power to avoid the vehicle in front of me by changing lanes and then I risk an incident in trying to match the speed of the vehicle that is now behind me. I have addressed this with lexus on several occasions including one trip where I demanded that the master mechanic ride with me. He explained that lexus is aware and that it is a computer problem for which there is no patch available. As of today, there is still no cure. The last update my vehicle received was in sept 2006.
2004 rx 330, still having trouble from day 1. I almost got slammed into by a truck 2 days ago. The have flashed the computer, for transmission hesitation, but insist it is performing the way it was intended. It is a design flaw, and lexus won't do anything about it! Someone is going to be killed! This is very serious, it happens at about 20 MPH, when you need to accelerate to get on freeway, etc, it will hesitate, and act like it died, or revs up, and does nothing. Then you let off pedal and hit it again, and it hesitates a sec then goes. I already have been to the dealer 6 times for this, and called 80025lexus twice, and they are not doing a recall they say. It is performing to the specs of the transmission.
1994 lexus rx330 hesitates while depressing the accelerator. *kb the vehicle has been taken to the dealer several times to alleviate the problem but they claimed that the vehicle was operating within normal specifications. The vehicle has also been plagued by other malfunctions to include squeaks, rattles, multiple malfunctions of the sunroof electronics, broken seats and liftgate alignment problems. *nm updated 08/14/06.
Hesitation, jerky when shifting. Took to dealers 3 times and unable to resolve issue. They stated that vehicle is operating within parameters. Now it is jerky when shifting most of the time.
Transmission is hesitant, switches up and down in rapid jumps, is very unpredictable!! Almost caused several accidents. Been doing it since I bought it 2 yrs. Dealer claims known problem, and no fix yet!!!
Low speed, single car accident. Right front tire hit curb, 20-25 miles an hour. Visible damage- tire ruined, rim scratched. Dealer inspired- tire, rim, ball joints, lower control arm, CVT, axle, etc. Drive train had pre existing condition of noise coming from right hand drive area. Dealer stated no problem. Since accident, dealer states need to replace all of this. Obvious dealer over repair or lack of trained staff, resulting in overcharges.
The automatic transmission has a lag in it at low speeds. This is apparent when releasing the accelerator to slow down and then accelerating again. In this situation the transmission does on engage or it lags causing an unsafe condition by its unpredictable behavior. This situation happens on a frequent basis. I have seen many complaints about this transmission problem. Is the federal safety agency going to hold lexus accountable for putting a defective transmission on the road? I have read that lexus' repeated reply is to state this behavior is normal. Lexus can not win this argument on repetition, it is defective. If this lag is *normal* why didn't lexus design this nice lag into all of their cars? I'm sure this would be a feature they would want to run an ad campaign on.
2004 lexus rx-330 awd. Vehicle hesitates when attempting to accelerate. There is a delay, especially when going from a dead stop such as pulling out into traffic. Also, if you attempt to quickly speed up as when merging or an evasive maneuver, the engine lags. Will also happen when turning a corner, then accelerating. I have been told by lexus that this is a known problem with the "throttle by wire" and "intelligent transmission". I currently pull the ecu fuse monthly to reset the processors and that appears to help for a while. That is the "fix" suggested by the lexus rx-330 forums. Now that 2006 models are coming, I know this is no longer on the lexus engineers' minds, but there are those of us that feel this is a safety issue as you never know if the car will respond reliably, especially when pulling into traffic, creating a real hazard.
Our lexus rx330 was purchased in august of 2003. For the last several months, the vehicle hesitates to shift gears with a lag causing the vehicle to jerk forward. We have trouble merging onto the highway as well as accelerating from a stop and while turning due to this dangerous condition. Dealer keeps performing the tsb tc005-03 "poor shift quality" and reprograms the computer with no improvement. We are told there is nothing more that can be done. After multiple attempts with lexus customer service, they deny a problem exists and states that the vehicle performs within specifications. Customer service even fails to document my complaints by not entering it in the ir computer systems in an attempt to hide the defect. Many owners report this problem on internet message boards. This is a dangerous and unacceptable design flaw that needs to be corrected with a recall.
Around 11,000 miles my 2004 rx330 started having a thumping sound that occurred intermittently while decelerating especially around 29 MPH and then again around 19 MPH. I took it to the dealer and they informed me that it was my trans cooler line assembly and oil cooler hose which were replaced and the problem was resolved for about one week that was back in oct. 2004. I have taken the vehicle back about 4 more times for the thumping noise that continues to occur intermittently and now they tell me the noise is normal and that the vehicle is operating as designed. I questioned how can it be considered abnormal back in october but now that the thumping noise can't be fixed they consider it a design flaw. They apparently upgraded it and that should have eliminated the noise but if it didn't there is nothing else to do because this is how the vehicle was designed... I fear everyday that this thumping noise is only the beginning of what is yet to follow as I read all the other transmission problems that have been occuring and some have exhibited the thump sound...lexus needs to fix the problems and not just put a band-aid on each one that occurs until the next major incident ... Take this vehicles off the road if so many consumers are putting their life in jeopardy driving a vehicle that was apparently not manufactured properly and should not be considered safe to drive.
Consumer has 3 major complaints on the 2004 lexus rx 330: sun glare from the dashboard obstructing visibility. The high intensity lights do not illuminate enough down the road for the consumer to see safely. There is severe hesitation after slowing the vehicle down, followed by a sudden surge of power. *mr the dealer is aware of the problem but indicated there was no way to fix them.
Engine/transmission hesitation; missed shift points; and stalls in traffic upon acceleration. Using automatic climate control causes all windows to fog up to the extent that you can not see out of the windows. Load engine noises and popping sounds.
2004 lexus rx330 has problems with transmission shift.*mr the transmission hesitates when pulling out into traffic. The consumer believes that simply upgrading the computer chip would correct the problem.
When attempting to accelerate into traffic vehicle would not accelerate. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for an inspection. *ak the consumer stated that he can not believe that the vehicle meets u.s. Dept of transportation the federal safety agency specifications. *tc
Transmission has a serious delay in downshifting when trying to accelerate suddenly. This has caused more than one instance where a collision could have occurred due to inability to avoid faster traffic. *ak
I have a 2004 rx330. The transmission hesitates terribly, to the point this car is unsafe. I have had it in 3 times, and they tell me that's the way it is supposed to operate. They said, "I'ts trying to learn how you drive" give it time, they say, now I have 10k miles, still same problem. I waited my whole life to get a lexus, and not they are proving to be lemons, and lexus of all the companies, should stand behind their product. They are not doing anything. It's going to get someone killed. When are they going to help me and the others that are having trouble? It seems to be when you start from a stop, in the lower gears. Lexus said this car doesn't need the "update".
Hesitation problems with my 2004 lexus rx330. At low speeds of 10-15 MPH to up to around 40-50 MPH. Let off of the gas pedal to slow down & press the gas pedal there is a hesitation. This has happen changing lanes on a highway or turning around a corner. This hesitation has happen many times since the I leased this lexus from the dealership. I have taken this rx330 back to the dealership 3 times for this problem. The lexus dealership has called it a situation not a problem. But there is nothing they can do about it. I have voiced my complaint at the lexus customer relations in california. I have repeatedly called. They tell me how sorry they are when I tell them someone is going to die or be seriously injured in this vechicle I have but there is nothing they can do. I have had at least 4 near accidents with this lexus rx330 since july of 2004.
I am leasing a 2004 lexus rx 330 fwd with about 20,000 miles on it. When I try to apply the throttle after slowing down there is a severe hesitation, usually followed by a sudden surge in power. At times there is an additional hesitation while the transmission is deciding what gear it should be in. This is especially noticeable while making a turn at an intersection, and especially dangerous if there are pedestrians in the intersection. I have had it to the leasing dealer (longo lexus) and they reprogrammed the transmission, which provided a temporary and partial fix. After a few weeks, aparently the transmission reprogrammed itself and the problem returned. I took the car to a second dealer and he said that they had many similar complaints about that driveline, but there was no factory fix. I called lexus customer service and they said the same. This problem began shortly after I got the car in april 2003 and still exists. If lexus truly wanted to fix this problem, it would have already been done. They need a push.
My wife had pulled routinely out of our driveway on a clear morning with no obstructions on the road, she turned out of the driveway onto our private road and SUV then suddenly and violently accelerated out of control, rocketing her into a tree and stone wall. The air/knee bags and active seat belt restraint were deployed, saving my wife's life. The investigation by the lexus front office in torrance revealed that vehicle was performing according to specs. I had noticed a revving noise on day one of purchase and mentioned it to the salesman who said he would look into it. With no further information the dealer suggested mentioning the problem at the 1000 mile check-up. Nothing abnormal was detected, though my complaint was recorded (april '04). The revving noise continued intermittently but without incident until june 30, 2004, the date of the crash. Upon hearing of a lexus SUV incident in my town, I decided to check the ntsb database. I was astounded by the concensus of complaints involving the power-train. I have been a lexus owner since 1995 (sc 300 coupe) and have driven a number of rx 300's and one other rx 330 (as loaner vehicles). I believe in the product so much so, that I would entrust the safety of my wife and children in a lexus. How many fatalities will result before a recall is issued?? The malfunction apparently defies diagnostic detection.
Toyota/lexus needs to address their power train problem on the 2004 rx 330 instead of seemingly ignoring it. The reprogramming does not work. I've had it done. Seemed to be a band aid fix for a major problem. Will it have to be a death before they recall these lousy transmissions. I have been in several near miss situations because of this awful transmission since purchasing this SUV brand new april 15, 2003. And after paying cash ($45,000) for their supposed great product I want to sue for my money back. The lag between gears, the high revs before getting into a gear is utterly insane. Can you say recallllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hesitation on 2004 lexus rx 330 transmission. It's unsafe to pull out in traffic with this car. You don't know if the car will proceed or if it will hesitate while in traffic. Lexus says it's a design issue, with no fix. Lexus told us to use premium gas - then did an ECM reflash - then said it's a design issue. This car does this every time I drive it. It's great on the freeway at 60 MPH, but from a starting position or a low speed position in the city - it's terrible - more importantly it doesn't feel safe. Today - it even surged when I pulled away from a light.
Re: supplement to consumer complaint #10091268 lexus rx 330 transmission/throttle problems. *bf automatic transmission hestiates, hunts, shifts inconsistently, hangs in between gears, delayes, etc. The throttle delays at the first application of gas and the rate of acceleration surges up and down unevenly. Dealer could not find a problem.
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