amf1932

The new 5 speed transmission on my '03 seems a little strange. If I drive about 35mph and then slow down to about 5mph and than try to accelerate there is a hesitation. It's as if the transmission can not decide on what gear to go into. When it finally does there's a slight lurch forward. Can this be adjusted?

Alan

steviej

iTrader: (1)

this is the one of the same complaints on the 02 tranny. Apparently they didn't fix it.
Search back on 02 trannies and you will see a long detailed letter to lexus.com and there responces concerning this problem.

The whole problem is shift logic. It doesn't shift when we think it should, or when we would if we had a manual or if it were a four speed auto.

There may be some joggling/bucking when going 40 mph in D. The car wants to go to 4 but the logic says stay in 5, thus producing the buck. push the lever over to 4 and it goes away or speed up to 45 and it goes away.

The hesitation is common if you stomp it. If you go 3/4 to the floor you get more acceleration and shifting ot one gear instead of the the drop in 2 gears which brings your rpms right up to 5-6k.

Lexus says its not a problem and the ECU will learn the driver's style and adjust, and most users complain it is and the hesitation can lead to possible accidents. There are complaints on it to NTSB (?NTHB) but I guess not enought to warrant Lexus/Toyota to move on the problem. (I have the web site if needed). Pop an email off to Lexus.com to register the complaint, the more owners that bring it up the better.

take care,

steviej

amf1932

Thanks Stevie........Yes I would appreciate getting the website from you where I can read up more about this problem. This wierd shifting could definitely be dangerous in certain situations!

Alan

amf1932

I just read a lot of posts about this transmission problem on 2002 ES 300's and they're exactly the problem I'm having on my 2003 ES which is six weeks old with 900 miles. So, since these posts were made about 1 year ago and I'm having the same hesitation I guess Lexus NEVER came up with a cure. What do I do now???

Alan

amf1932

I just called my Lexus dealer and told him my problem. He said I'm not their first complaint about this, but mainly I just wanted this to go on my record. He also told me that he'll also notify the factory people. Now I'll just wait and see what happens.

Alan

amf1932

Edmunds test of the new ES transmission.
Alan

steviej

iTrader: (1)

I've said this before, I get better acceleration if I don't stomp it.
I have actually learned to read and drive by the tach not just the speedo.
It is actually fun, now and the hesitations can be avoided and rapid acceleration can be achieved.
Lexus still needs to fix it. My old supercharged Bonneville with a 4 sp auto never did this.
But the ES scoots if you play the pedal right.

here is the sight. hope it links.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

click on "search complaints" in the middle of the page. You will have to type in your car info.

good luck.

steviej

amf1932

Thanks Steve......Yup, that's the problem I'm having. Sure I can get around it by playing with the shift selector and how I apply the gas, but I sure as hell feel I shouldn't have to do this with a car that cost me close to $40,000 bucks.

Alan

steviej

iTrader: (1)

yeah, I agree with you.

The feeling I get from Toyota, is that is the way it is and they ain't about to start rerouting funds to R&D to come up with a solution. Not enough complaints to warrant a fix.
Probably cause the majority of ES owners ain't gonna punch it like we want to.

happy miles to you.

steviej

amf1932

I submitted a complaint this evening to the NHTSA. We'll see what good that'll do.

Alan

meZoom!

i'm disappointed to hear that this problem extends into the 03s as well. apparently that "fix" that toyota/lex talked about never happened....

although i've never driven an 02+ ES, i still know exactly what you guys are referring to because my dad's GS300 (2000) does this also. and to add, his car, at lower speeds (5-10mph?), hesitates quite noticeably when you try to accelerate, just like you guys said as if it doesnt know which gear to go in. the harder you step on the gas, the worse it is, because once it does engage in gear, you're now going full throttle. almost like losing traction and going again.

amf1932

Ha!!! I just called up the Lexus Corporation Customer Satisfaction Dept. and registered my complaint. They told me that a fix will be forthcoming by the end of this year. I sometimes wish I had my '94 ES back again....I never had this transmission problem. Ain't technology great???

Alan

meZoom!

i always wish i had my 95ES back again the thing is though, this transmissio lag isn't really a "problem" per se. its the way Toyota purposely built the car.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

Alan, what number did you call.
I registered a complaint on Lexus.com after registering as a new owner.
Jim Shimizo was the Lexus customer service rep assigned to this problem.

I would like to call in a complaint too. One more won't hurt.

Steviej.

amf1932

The more the merrier!! I called, Lexus Corporation Customer Satisfaction Dept. 1-800-255-3987.
I also noticed on the NHTSA website that they published my complaint.http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/
I want to keep on their backs until I hear that they really are trying to do something about this annoying problem. The reason I feel so strongly is that I was told they corrected this problem in 2003 Es's. I think that they sure as hell could come up with a fix by now!!!

Alan