V8_Fan

For those of you with problems with your ES, I was wondering if your vehicles were made in the same factory? Are they made in Japan? (do the VIN's start with "JT"?) Sometimes it'll say what city it was made in or who made it (i.e., Tahara, Japan or Toyota Autobody, etc.). Just wondering if the problem vehicles can be traced to a particular factory or aren't Japanese made? (I know some RX's and possibly ES's are made in Canada; lexus did this to open up factory space in Japan for the hybrid versions). Otherwise, all the other models are solely made in Japan. Although the same model may be built in two countries, quality won't be the same. If improperly assembled, they'll rattle and all kinds of other stuff.

amf1932

From my understanding, ALL ES350's are made in Japan.

dunnojack

how many jap factories are there?

tnedator

Yes, but has anyone attempted to correlate the manufacturing dates when problems have occurred with earthquakes that have occurred within that region of the world????

Hmmmm, inquiring minds want to know...

ES350Bob

Hi Jim,

My VIN starts with JTHB and was made in Japan.

dreyfus

Amf1932 is right, all ES350 are made in Japan.

ES350Bob

I also looked up my former problematic and it's VIN also starts

JTHB and both VINS continue with next two being J4

So both are JTHBJ4

Is that enough info for you to tell which plant in Japan they were built at?

Those with cars they say are problem free except maybe for NAV could let us know if their cars also start off with same 6 letters/number.

e-Mel

IIRC - It's the not the first six but rather the eleventh digit that identifies the manufacturing plant. Mine's a "2".

ES350Bob

Mine is a 2 at the 11th digit as well and also Obsidian, the only color to have.

e-Mel

Sure is.

Ruby Red runs a very close second.

onsknht

It's interesting to note that while my Clamry was built in Kentucky and the ES in Japan... I've experienced just about every problem any of the ES owners have had.

1. Tranny flare
2. Creaking from winshield
3. Door alignment

I think there were a couple more, that are dead ringer same TSB/TSIB between the two cars and from tow different countries, plants, workforce, etc, etc, etc.

dreyfus

My car, which to date (11,800 miles) has had no issues other than the corrected climate voice TSIB, is a 5/6 build at plant 2.

ES350Bob

Well, as we know Obsidian rules!

Now, on the Ruby Red, I'd say you toss the coin, heads it's SGM and tails it's Ruby Red. Though if I had to go with Ruby Red, it needs to be in an LS460 or an Infiniti M for me to begin to really be fond of it.

I keep seeing SGM IS and at times GS when I have to go into the service department and that color is smoking, pardon the pun.

jjbodean

the first several digits of all the 2007 ES350s are as follows:

JTHBJ46G

then the digits begin to change