Transmission problems rendered the vehicle completely unsafe, prone to potential accidents. *bf the consumer described the problem as lag or hesitation when the transmission shifted from first to second and or second to third, sometimes the vehicle revved up to the redline with out the transmission engaging. The dealer reset a computer chip that was involved in regulating the power train system. The dealer informed the consumer there was else that could be done. The transmission was the result of the design of the vehicle. (lawyer ira newman on behalf of client, peter janczuk)
2004 Lexus RX330 transmission complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 69 of 69, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Since I have bought my car the transmission has not been shifting properly. It hesitates in low gears when the car accelerates . The most bothersome is the lack of proper response when the driver needs to slow down and then accelerate (such as turning left or changing lanes to avoid obstacles or double parked cars). In these cases transmission seems to go into neutral, and after about a second goes into third or fourth gear with a rapid , jerky movement of the whole car, which I would compare to being rear ended by another car. It happened to me and my wife 4 times and resulted in neck pain and headache, and almost being hit by another car. Lexus dealer and customer care state that the car was designed to work this way and there is nothing they can do.
This has been a continuing problem since purchased new in dec 2003. As has been reported numerous times, my car acceleration hesitates from a stop or from low speeds. Also my vehicle has extensive pause or lag between gears. This has created numerous dangerous situations where I was stuck while other vehicles had to take action to avoid hitting my rx330. Often, while making left turns against oncoming traffic, this lag is so long as to be dangerous. In the past, I have accelerated harder than I feel necessary in order to compensate for this lag. This results in a sudden downshift and forward lurch that is very dangerous. I have reported this to my dealer on 3 or more occasions and their response is that this is normal for my model. They say there is nothing they can do to correct this problem. The dealer did document this complaint on my service record the last time I visited on 8/13/04.
Just left my lexus dealer for my 20,000 service. Finally the service mgr acknowledged my transmission woes. See my previous post. He said lexus is aware of the concern "nation wide". They changed? The tranny for 2005!!! They are also postponing the hybrid for 6 months due to the concerns of the 2004 rx transmission though we know that's a totally different application. The kicker is though it's still an open case, lexus at this time does not have a fix. So 20,000 miles later I have a 40,0000 SUV that has a transmission of a yugo. No offense to the yugo. I was told how frustrated they are with this. I believe my frustration is greater, seeing how I make the payments and drive this car daily. Also not much they can do right now until lexus makes a move. Aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh. Not happy in the twin cities.
My lexus rx 330 has had repeated transmission and throttle problems. The automatic transmission hesitates, hunts, shifts inconsistently, hangs in between gears, delays, etc. The throttle delays at the first application of gas and the rate of accelleration surges up and down unevenly. The result is that the car often cannot avoid hazard situations. If one is trying to pull into traffic the delays create hazards. If one anticipates and applies the throttle early to compensate, one sometimes lurches into traffic. When you attempt a lane change the same problems cause the same troubles: delays and a hazard. The delay also has caused me to be almost rear ended at stop lights. I have repeatedly reported this problem or package of problems to my local servicing dealer and have been told that lexus knows of the widespread nature of the complaints but that there is nothing that lexus will do for it (other than one reflash that did not work for the issues). Amazingly, when I raised these issues in writing, the written response on my service records showed "no problems". When I pushed the service personnel on this, they admitted that all of my complaints were found but that lexus claims these problems are "normal" to the design, therefore, they have been told by lexus to simply respond that "there are no problems because the transmission is performing as designed. A bad design is just that. Local service people simply throw their collective hands up and say the they know about the gravity of the problem but that lexus will do nothing about it. I have been told to expect no solution and to just live with it. Significantly, this is the largest selling lexus model. Therefore, these problems and the hazards that they create affect thousands of motorists.
1.2004 rx 330 transmission slips when accelerating ,passing(most dangerous when going up an incline),and from a dead start(ie: light or stop sign).car seems to shift into neutral and hesatates while tachometer revs to 5-6000 RPM.*ak 2. Dangerious when entering freeway on ramp and almost got rearended due to delay. 3. Reported 3 times to dealer, they said it is within specs.had a loaner lexus rx 330 when mine was in for service and the transmission wes perfect. Constant problem.
Since new the vehicle has both transmission hesitation shifting problems noted by many others. Around 40 MPH, asking for acceleration with about 3/4 throtle causes the trnasmission to come out of gear and hunt for about two seconds. This is very dangerous - don't plan on passing anyone. Coasting around 10 MPH, mild throtle causes the tranmission to shift hard and lurch the vehicle. Lexus acknowledges the condition, but states it is not "a problem.
Acceleration with this SUV is not positive and you never know if you are going to move when you depress the accelerator. This SUV uses "drive by wire" technology so there is no physical link between the gas pedal and the engine. When you depress the gas, there is a delay in the reponse which can cause you to end up in some other driver's path. This car is very unsafe to drive and needs to be recalled and fixed by the manufacturer before someone is killed. I took my SUV to the dealer and he "reset my on-board computer and the computer that communicates to the transmission .......... This did nothing! I plan to take my SUV back to the dealer again and if he cannot repair the problem I am going to terminate my lease!
2004 lexus rx 330 has intermittant, erratic automatic transmission. Dealer says it is a "hesitatiion issue", but rfeuses to confirm in writing because manufacturer says it's the way the car is designed. Even though countless others have complained, nothing has been done.
Our 2004 lexus rx330 (now about 15,000 miles) continues to have terrible shifting problems with the automatic transmission. In particular, two major issues -- (1) doesn't upshift correctly, usually between 2nd and 3rd gears, but the real concern is (2) when slowing down, coasting anything above 0 MPH (even 1), then hitting the gas pedal, the car simply doesn't respond for 3-5 seconds, then slowly accelerates. We've almost been hit 5 times because of the 2nd problem. We've taken the car to the dealer four times to have it looked at. The first time the dealer denied the problem existed. The second time they recognized it (after a test drive with me) and reset the software/driving chip, telling me the car "learns" our driving habits after about 300 miles, so to get the car to respond [the way it should], I should floor the gas all the time for the first 300 miles or so, which I did from every stoplight for 350 miles. It didn't work. Now during my third and fourth visits lexus has declined to reset the chip or do anything about it. The lead mechanic told me they simply don't have a fix, and he knows it's an issue. In fact, a month ago (service appt #4) they said I would have to pay about $300 to have them reset the chip again (which likely wouldn't work anyway, as described above). I've been told by the service advisor he's heard compaints from many new rx330 owners about the same problem, but short of a recall from lexus, "that's the way the transmission works on the rx330 and we can't do anything about it". It's terribly frustrating that lexus denies there's a problem, even though many have reported it, and we've almost been hit by another automobile because of the problem. I just hope it doesn't take a major accident or worse for lexus or the federal safety agency to do something about it.
1. There were no events that LED up to the problem that I have been having. . The transmission on my brand new lexus rx 330 doesn't shift properly. It kicks when steping on the the gas pedal, there is a hesitation when accelerating from a stop, & between 20 - 40 MPH, as the transmission shifts, the transmission has trouble up shifting and engine revs up and down several times before shifting 3. The dealer has tried to reprogram the transmission computer, and has tried switching to high octane fuel. Neither has worked. The dealer is trying to correct the problem, however, I know of several rx 330 owners who are all experienceing simmilar problems with their transmissions. It seems apparent that there is a manufacturing defect in some part of the transmissions used in the rx 330.
I have owned my 2004 lexus rx330 since october. I have had the vehicle into the dealership on (4) separate occasions complaining about the problem with the transmission. Upon acceleration after slowing down the vehicle and returning to the pedal to reaccelerate the transmission does not engage. The car has a "dead pedal" at times I have even pressed the accelerator to the floor with no reaction. When you let up on it and repress then it will react. Also the transmission has a "lag" in shifting at low speeds. On several occasions especially when yeilding and starting to proceed, I have almost hit a vehicle from the lag time from when I actually started to accelerate and the vehicle actually beginning to move. I feel this extremely dangerous, as I have come close to hitting a vehicle on several occasions from this. I feel very unsafe in this vehicle even with the overwhelming safety features of the vehicle. I do not trust that when I engage the accelerater to get out of the way that I will actually move. The dealer told me the first time when the car went in for it's mandatory 1,000 mile checkup that the computer needs to learn the driver and this could take the first 5,000 miles. When I returned at the 5,000 mile checkup and it was still doing it. I was told they reflashed the computer to attempt to correct the problem. Then after another 1,000 miles when it still did the same thing, the service manager took the car out and said he flew the memory in the computer and retaught the car to drive again and to drive it very cautiously for the next 48 hours and that would cure the problem. When it got worse and continued to still do the same thing I took it in again and was told it was my car mat interferring with the reaction of the pedal and the transmission and told to remove the car mat. At this point I don't know what to do. The car is going in again for the 5th time to be looked at??????? Someone needs to seriously address this matter.
The automobile has a latent defect and is inherently dangerous. In november 2003, I attempted to back up in a crowded parking lot, and while in reverse, I pressed the accelerator - there was a lag and the vehicle then accelerated backward very rapidly, striking another vehicle. I assumed the fault was my own (since in moving my foot from the accelerator to the brake, my foot was caught under the brake because the pedals are close together, but that is another item) and after the vehicle was repaired (approximately $7,000 worth of damage) I resumed driving the vehicle. On june 29, 2004, again I was attempting to back up and again the vehicle was in reverse and again when I pressed on the accelerator, there was a lag and then again the vehicle accelerated rapidly backwards, striking a building. It is estimated that the damage to the vehicle is over $10,000, and I do not know what the cost of the damage to the building is. Interestingly, as well, in neither case did the airbags deploy. The second incident received some local press coverage, and on july 8, 2004 I received a call from a visitor to massachusetts from florida who had heard about the second incident and who reported that on july 1, 2004 that driver while in a parking lot had also had sudden rapid acceleration and had struck a building, damaging the driver's lexus rx 330. That driver also stated that she had heard of a third incident in massachusetts of a lexus rx 330 striking a building following sudden acceleration. The faulty transmission, coupled with the power and torque of the vehicle and the resulting sudden acceleration, is a serious defect; I will not drive the vehicle again. The response of the lexus dealer when the incidents were reported to it was silence.
Our 2004 lexus 330 automatic transmission has never worked properly. The transmission hesitates and seems to "bounce" between 3rd and 4th gears. We have returned the vehicle twice to the dealership to no avail. This seems to be a design problem.
Since I have owned this vehicle, I have had trouble with rough shifting and a lag associated with a delay in low speed acceleration. Returned vehicle to the dealer and was told it was adjusted. Problem persists. Eventually, someone will be injured or killed by this problem due to unexpected hesitation in acceleration.
When making a left turn or a right turn, the vehicle dropped out of gear then surged intermittently. The dealership inspected the vehicle and determined the transmission performed erratically. *jb the transmission also failed intermittently while driving straight. The manufacturere claimed that this was a charaxteristic of the vehicle.
I too have had ongoing problems with my 2004 lexus rx 330. I have had my car in the repair center three times already for hesitation and lagging between gears and vibrations noises throughout the car. I personally do not feel safe in this car because it drives inconsistently and on several occasions, I have almost been rear-ended or have stalled in an intersection because the car does not properly accelarate. I have written a letter to the dealership and have contacted lexus customer service numerous times. I am being told that this is normal. Normal to who? It is obvious, by many comments I have reviewed by other owners of this same vehicle that there is a serious issue here that lexus is choosing to ignore because they do not have a solution. I wonder how long they will continue to turn their heads. I drove an rx 300 for several years and it was completely different. I bought another lexus for safety and reliability factors and I do not feel either in the new rx 330. Please investigate this problem before someone gets seriously hurt.
I purchased a 2004 lexus rx330 in january of 2004 and there is a consistent lag of the drivetrain when accelerating from a standing start and when accelerating to pass. From a standing start the vehicle hesitates and then abruptly lurches forward. At highway speed there is a deceleration which pitches one forward and then an engagement which lurches the occupant back with a snapping motion. The ECM was reprogramed at 1000 mile check. When a print out of tsb was presented service manager reacted like a snake was placed on counter and then advised that reprogaming ECM would not necessarily improve problem. He was right. This is a safety concern as pulling out to pass could cause an accident.
My rx 330 has a transmission lag at 20-25mph. The car just doesnt go and it is extremly dangerous in intersections. Someone is going to get killed and I hope it is not me.
Transmission shifting erratic at low speeds. "clunk or muted "clank" heard and felt under closed throttle dowshifts while slowing to a stop. Most noticeable during the 5-4 downshift (37 MPH) and the 4-3 downshift (25 MPH). Service manager claims it's a normal operating condition for lexus. Technician who rode with me disagreed. Vehicle only has 5100 miles. Problem began at 2000 mile mark.
Transmission problem: serious lag between gear shifts. If I push the accelerator down to accelerate to get out of a dangerous situation: nothing happens. The car seems to stall, slows down and then once the ecu has determined which gear to selectit accelerates violently taking the driver by surprise. Altogether the response is far too slow. Transmission is not smooth. This is a safety issue. Dealer checked transmission:"working according to specifications" ?! Also "thump" "clunk" noise when decelerating from 50 MPH to lower speeds, occasionally. Aa.
My 2004 lexus rx330 awd has a problem with the transmission "hanging" on the 2-3 upshift. The car hesitates then roughly shifts into the next gear. It has never shifted as smoothly in any gear as other lexus and toyota products I driven. I went to the dealer and the dealer reprogrammed the engine management control. The net result has been that the engine shifts at a higher RPM than it did before, but is still not smooth. The hesitation between gears was less frequent for a week or two after the reprogram, but has now returned and there is an increasing lag or hesitation in shifting in the 2-3 and 3-4 upshift. Last week as I was merging into expressway traffic, I pushed down the throttle and nothing happened. It almost seemed as though the engine died. I released the throttle, pushed again and the transmission engaged a lower gear and accelerated. The behavior of the transmission is unpredictable. Sometimes, but not always, the engine feels like it stalls when turning a corner. The hesitation on downshift has occurred four times now since the reprogram. The car has less than 6000 miles on it. The dealer seemed to try to be helpful, but can only pass on what the manufacturer provides them, so I think the resolution lies with toyota and lexus in developing a fix for a potentially dangerous problem.
Lexus 2004 rx 330 - transmission. Shifting hesitation, lexus has addressed the problem with a change in computer shifting points but it has not fixed the problem. They now refuse to help further saying only that it is within design standards. Many complaints on this problem in lexus owners forum web site, but no help from lexus.
When I drive my 2004 lexus rx330 manual on 4th, speed is around 40 MPH, and left off the throttle, I can hear a whining noise from rear. Once I push the gas paddle, the noise is gone. It can be duplicated on d when I slow down from 50 MPH. This also happens to the other three rx330s (two loaner cars and one brand new car).
The rx330 has a transmission problem that affects the safety of the vehicle. There is a serious lag between gear shifts. The engine will rev up but the car doesn't move. This happens when starting from a stopped position and also when merging into traffic, changing lanes, and passing traffic. I have narrowly avoided being hit in the rear twice because of this behavior. When slowing down the car doesn't downshift into the proper gear at times and it is very difficult to stop. I am very concerned about my safety driving this vehicle. I have had the vehicle to the dealer 3 times and was told that it is "operating as designed". The dealer acknowledges the complaints that I have but tell me that lexus has not come up with a fix yet. I have contacted lexus customer service about this issue only to be told that it is "operating as designed". This vehicle is dangerous to drive and I fear a serious accident because of the transmission behavior. Is there no recourse for a consumer who has been sold an unsafe vehicle?
My rx330 has just come out of the dealer service for the second time due to a complete failure to downshift when necessary. Especially as I slow down to about 20 MPH, and the try to re-accelerate, the RPM's go to 5500 but the vehicle does not move and the clutch never engages. You have to let off the gas pedal and let the RPM's come back down and try it again. This has almost got me hit by another vehicle at least 3 times. On the first service call they tried to do a transmission "reset" I have driven the vehicle 2500 miles since then and it might even be worse. This time it went to the shop and two technicians, one manager, and one customer service rep all told me that they have been able to simulate the problem on test drives but that it is "normal for this vehicle", however, they are still going to report it to the manufacturer. My response is that this may be "normal" for this vehicle, but it is not normal for "a" vehicle. They all agreed but said that lexus does not have a fix. This is currently elevated to the lexus company customer service and they said they would get back to me. Until then I am stuck in a dangerous vehicle.
This car has a intermittent problem between 2nd and 3rd gear. The engine revs up in between gears and finally shifts into gear. The transmission is very sluggish between all gears. I have had it to the dealership twice and service manager says that this is as good as it is going to be. When the car is between 2 & 3 I sometimes feel that it will let go entirely and might cause a very serious accident.
Since we purchased the vehicle, the transmission has acted strange. The vehicle does not shift smoothly when changing from one gear to the next. We have taken the vehicle back to the dealer. Was told the first time that is the way the vehicle shifts. After the problem got worse, we took it back again. Dealer confirmed that we were not the only owner that has complained to them about the problem. Was told to bring the vehicle in and they would re calibrate the chip that controls the shifting. Got the vehicle back after they worked on it and it did improve, but still not working properly. I am concerned that this problem will only get worse again like it did the first time. This should not be happening to a 2004 vehicle. Please register my complaint and I'm sure based on what the dealer told us that others are having the same problem.
Many owners of 2004 rx330 have reported problems with the 5-speed automatic transmission. There is a substantial "lag" in shifting at low speeds around 20 MPH with occasional reports of the car revving to "redline" without the transmission engaging. This results in the vehible becoming immobile in intersections or when exiting toolbooths. There is a similar problem at around 40 MPH. It has happened to our vehicle at least 6 times, two of which nearly resulted in an accident from being "rear-ended." lexus has released a software upgrade but this reportedly has not corrected the problem. After denying that there waa a tsb for the problem, the dealer said that it could not "recommend" the upgrade.
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