49 of the 188 complaints about the 2004 Lexus ES 330 are about the throttle and cruise control — 26% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 19,100 miles.
49
Complaints
19
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING AT 9:30AM CST ON 7/27/16 WHEN MY CAR EXPERIENCE UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES. MY CAR REFUSED TO SLOW DOWN, EVEN WHILE I HAD THE BRAKES APPLIED. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SENT TO LEXUS HEADQUARTERS TO BE INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #10892284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES 330. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #10671781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 LEXUS 300SE UNTIL I RAN THROUGH A BUILDING. MY CAR ONLY HAD 16,000 MILES ON IT AND I NEVER EXPERIENCED BRAKING PROBLEMS, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT. I DID CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHEN RECALLS WERE VERY BIG NEWS IN THE MEDIA BUT WAS TOLD MY MODEL WAS NOT ON ANY LISTS FOR RECALL. I DROVE MY CAR TO THE TAILOR SHOP...I TURNED IN THE SHOPPING CENTER WITH NO PROBLEM..I TURNED INTO THE PARKING PLACE IN FRONT OF THE TAILOR SHOP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PRESSED THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR JUST WENT INTO LUNGE MODE AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING WENT FASTER. I HAD MY BRAKE PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THANK GOD THE LADY IN THE TAILOR SHOP WAS IN THE BACK OF THE STORE BECAUSE MY CAR DID NOT COME TO REST UNTIL IT WAS INSIDE THE STORE AND PINNED AT A WALL. PEOPLE CAME OUT FROM OTHER STORES..SMOKE EVERYWHERE...THEY CAME TO MY WINDOW AND TOLD ME TO TURN THE KEY OFF. THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING BUT MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR - THE WHEELS CAME TO A STOP WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. DAMAGE TO THE BLDG INCLUDED ALL OF THEIR FRONT GLASS AND INTERIOR. I DON'T KNOW A FINAL FIGURE ON THE THIRD PARTY DAMAGE. MY INSURANCE COVERED THE CLAIM BUT I TRULY FEEL THIS IS A LEXUS ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AS THE ACCELERATOR APPARENTLY STUCK AND NOTHING WOULD STOP IT UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10410134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES 330. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE STARTS THE ENGINE THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND REMAINED THAT WAY AS HE MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP FORWARD CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE AND DAMAGE THE FRONT BUMPER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED AT A LATER DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 06/13/11
NHTSA complaint #10398214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 2/25/2011, I DROVE THE CAR 15 MINUTES ON THE I-5 FREEWAY TO LA JOLLA. THE CAR WAS THEN PARKED FOR 2 HOURS SO THE ENGINE WAS COLD. I STARTED IT, BACKED OUT OF PARKING PLACE, AND ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO PASS ANOTHER CAR BACKING UP. I WAS EXITING A CONDO COMPLEX AND SPEED WAS GENERALLY UNDER 10-15 MPH GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THE TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS ABOUT 150 FEET ON GENTLE, 5 DEGREES?, DOWNHILL GRADE, GENERALLY COASTING WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, TO REACH THE EXIT WHICH WAS AT A STREETLIGHT AT A BUSY STREET. THE LIGHT WAS RED SO I GENTLY INCREASED THE FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I THEN SENSED THAT THE BRAKE WAS SUDDENLY NOT STOPPING THE CAR. I APPLIED AS MUCH FORCE AS POSSIBLE AND COULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR INSTANTLY. THE ENGINE RACED LIKE I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION TO OFF. I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. KNOWING OF THE PROBLEM WITH FLOOR MATS AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEMS, I REACHED DOWN AND PULLED THE FLOOR MAT TOWARDS THE SEAT AND AWAY FROM BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WERE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10384768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN BRAKING AND SLOWLY TURNING LEFT TO COME TO A STOP IN A PARKING SPACE AT A WAL-MART PARKING LOT MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AT SUCH A FAST SPEED THAT MY CAR CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE AND PUSHED A PARKED STATION WAGON FACING MY CAR BACK FAR INTO ANOTHER ISLE. MY FOOT WAS DEFINITELY BRAKING THE WHOLE TIME.!!!! MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED WHILE I PRESSED THE BRAKE. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION A SURVEILLANCE TAPE OF THE ACCIDENT TAKEN BY WAL-MART. AS A RESULT I HURT MY BACK AND NECK AND WAS VERY UPSET THAT I COULD HAVE KILLED PEOPLE WALKING IN THAT PARKING LOT. I AM POSITIVE THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY CAR MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10383855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS ES330. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JUMPED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER A CEMENT BLOCK, WENT UPHILL AND CRASHED INTO BUSHES AND ROCKS. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,790 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,794.
NHTSA complaint #10374658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON A SUNNY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 31, 2010, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN IN THE PARKING LOT. WHILE I TURNED LEFT, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITH A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RAN OVER THE CURB. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. I CHANGED THE GEAR TO THE "P" POSITION AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WAS MOVED THROUGH THE "N" POSITION. IT STRUCK A LAMP POST BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT LEXUS OF BELLEVUE, WA, ON AUGUST 11, 2010, BUT THEY DENIED ANY VEHICLE MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10350853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2004 LEXUS ES330. CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CHANGED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HIT A FENCE AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10350911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2004 LEXUS ES 330. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS CERTAIN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION SHE EXPERIENCED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY FLOOR MAT THAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE PINS THAT HELD THE MATS IN PLACE HAD BROKEN. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10341212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2004 LEXUS ES330 WITH ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. MY INITIAL PROBLEM WAS AS I COME TO A STOP LIGHT AND IT TURNS GREEN, BEFORE I HAVE TO STOP I WOULD ACCELERATE AND THERE WOULD BE A HESITATION WHERE THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS STALLING. IT WOULD THEN ACCELERATE WITH A THUMP. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LEXUS DEALER IN HAWAII (OAHU) AND THEY RECOGNIZED IT AS A COMPUTER PROGRAM PROBLEM THAT TELLS THE CAR WHEN TO ACCELERATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN "TRY" TO FIX IT BY CHANGING THE COMPUTER CHIP AND RESETTING THE MEMORY IN THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD EITHER FIX THE PROBLEM OR CREATE OTHER ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. THEY KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. IT FIXED MY INITIAL PROBLEM BUT HAS CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS CAR NOW JERKS UPON ACCELERATING WHILE TRAVELING 5-15 MPH. FROM A STOP, MY CAR SOMETIMES HESITATES AND THEN ACCELERATES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. I KNOW OTHER LEXUS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AS WELL AS CAMRY OWNERS THAT HAVE A V6 ENGINE AND THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS THE LEXUS ES330. YOU CAN GOOGLE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10341517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2004 LEXUS 330. CONSUMER STATES UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION TWICE. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, STOPPING AND RESTARTING. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL, HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP AND BRAKE, BUT NEITHER ACTION WAS SUCCESSFUL.
NHTSA complaint #10329631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2004 LEXUS ES330 SUDDEN ACCELERATION *GR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, STRUCK A SIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10328516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE CONTROL COMPUTER FAILED ON 2004 LEXUS. COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO MORE THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR. LEXUS/TOYOTA SAYS IT IS UNRELATED TO THE 1000'S OF OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVING TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RELATED AND SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10325641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2004 LEXUS ES 330 ACCELERATION IS STICKING/STALLING AND JERKING WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. CONTACTED LEXUS DEALER AND REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY CLAIM THE CAR COMPUTER IS CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING FEEL LIKE JERKING MOTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10325578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PARKING, THE CONSUMERS 2004 LEXUS ES 330 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED JUMPED AND CURB HIT A TREE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED SHE GENTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO INCH INTO A PARKING SPACE A LITTLE MORE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER HITTING THE TREE, THE VEHICLE THEN BOUNCED BACK FROM THE TREE AND WENT DOWN AN INCLINE TO THE RIGHT WHERE SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. THE CONSUMER WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR A HAIRLINE FRACTURE OF HER STERNUM. IT TOOK SEVERAL WEEKS TO RECOVER.
NHTSA complaint #10316534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY LEXUS 2004 MODEL ES330 HAS BEEN ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. THIS ACCELERATION HAS BEEN HAPPENING TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, BUT HAVE NOTICED MORE DURING LAST 3 TO 4 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10314754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 04 LEXUS ES 330 HAD UNEXPLAINED THROTTLE INCREASE WHILE DRIVING ON HWY AT ABOUT 50 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STOPPED. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND CALLED LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED ME TO BRING IT TO THEM. WHEN I STARTED ENGINE AGAIN IT DROVE OK.
NHTSA complaint #10314132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WAS PARKING IN A STRIP MALL. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE PARKING BLOCK AND THE SIDEWALK, CRASHED THROUGH THE FRONT OF A STORE AND CAME TO REST INSIDE THE STORE. THIS IS THE ONLY INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE CAR AND WE CONTINUE TO OWN IT AND DRIVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10314236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD 2 ACCELERATING EXPERIENCES WITH MY 04 LEXUS. BOTH LED UP TO SEVERAL $ DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND I OTHER CAR. THEN THE 3RD ONE OCCURRED WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR REPAIR AND THE LEXUS GARAGE LOANED ME A 2009 LEXUS, THE SAME THING - IT ACCELERATED AND I DROVE INTO A BRICK WALL. I THOUGHT THEY WERE MY FAULT. THE STATE OF MINNESOTA INTERVENED AND TOOK MY DRIVERS LICENSE SO I CAN LONGER DRIVE. I FEEL THIS WAS AN INJUSTICE AND WANT MY LICENSE RETURNED.
NHTSA complaint #10313809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UPON STARTING AND PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE ENGINE EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION. CAR IT BACKED ACROSS A THE TRAFFIC LANE IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED STUCK TWO PARKED CARS AND ENDED UP ON TOP OF A PLANTING AREA AFTER HITTING A TREE PLANTED THERE. POLICE WERE CALLED AND RESPONDED. THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC BUT COULD NOT FIND A VISIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10293241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS OR MAY BE RELATED TO OTHER ODI I JUST REPORTED AT 10261933. I HAVE A LEXUS 2004 ES330 AND IN ADDITION TO WEIRD BRAKING PROBLEMS, I HAVE ALSO HIT THE BRAKE AND BASICALLY FELT THE CAR CONTINUE LIKE I NEVER HIT THE BRAKE AND I AM ACCELERATING OR HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED, I DID NOT FEEL THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGE OR ANY TYPE OF SLOWING DOWN OCCUR. I END UP HITTING AND RELEASING THE BRAKE QUICKLY TO TRY AND GET THE CAR TO BRAKE AND COME TO A STOP. ON ONE OCCASION I ALSO QUICKLY HIT THE GAS TO SEE IF PERHAPS THAT WOULD CLEAR THE PROBLEM, AND IT DID NOT. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED THAT NO DEBRIS OR FLOOR RUG HAD SOME HOW MADE THE GAS PEDAL STINK, AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEMS REPORTED UNDER ODI 10261933, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS W/ ACCELERATING OR STOPPING. I HAVE BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF LEXUS AND THEY HAVE DENIED ANY RECALLS OR OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS. I SUSPECT THEY ASSUME I AM A WOMAN - WHO CANNOT DRIVE. AGAIN, I HAVE OWNED FAST HIGH PERFORMANCE PORSHE AND MERCEDES PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL FIGURE THIS OUT BEFORE I AM INJURED OR PERHAPS SOMEONE ELSE IS. THANKS. PS NO DATE OF INCIDENT, SO I WILL PUT 1/1/09. THIS REFUSAL OF THE CAR TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE ETC HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 5 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10261936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2004 ES330, WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE ON A 15 MPH SPEED, THE CAR INSTEAD SURGE FORWARD WITH A VERY HIGH SPEED AND SHE HEARD A ROAMING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR RAN UP A CURB AND SHE MANAGED TO AVOID HITTING THE TREES AND WALL. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AND SHE IS NOT GOING TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. LEXUS DEALER SIMPLY SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I DID RESEARCH ON THIS NHTSA DATA AND FOUND A LOTS OF SAME COMPLAINS AGAINST ES330 AND ES350. I AM VERY UPSET BY THE WAY LEXUS HANDLED THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10240911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR DOESN'T GO WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. ALSO WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS IT WILL JUMP LIKE ITS ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. LEXUS ADMITS THE ISSUE EXISTS AND SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY SAY IT IS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE DRIVE BY WIRE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS AND WILL CAUSE MORE ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10236769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I REPORTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ON MARCH 2, 2006 AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING A 2004 LEXUS 330 ON JANUARY 28, 2006 IN TUCSON ARIZONA. I REPORTED THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF MY ACCIDENT TO THE LEXUS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER (LCSC). I FOLLOWED UP WITH A LETTER INCLUDING MY NHTSA WEBSITE REPORT, OTHER NHTSA REPORTS OF SIMILAR TYPES OF ACCIDENTS WITH LEXUS ES330, POLICE REPORT FOR MY ACCIDENT AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION THAT LED TO THE ACCIDENT. A TECHNICIAN FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. CAME TO THE LEXUS DEALER IN TUCSON AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR-LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. INDICATING THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT CONCLUDED "IT (MY VEHICLE) WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT THE TIME " OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS LETTER DID NOT INCLUDE AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT. I WROTE ANOTHER LETTER TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR STATING THAT HE HAD NOT ACCURATELY DESCRIBED THE ACCIDENT DETAILS AND I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT. I RECEIVED A LETTER ON JUNE 6, 2006 FROM THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR STATING THAT "WHILE I (THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR) HAD THE SCENARIO INCORRECT, THE CIRCUMSTANCES REMAIN THE SAME. THAT OVERSIGHT ON MY (CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR) PART HAS NO BEARING ON THE TESTING CONDUCTED BY THE LEXUS FIELD TECHNICIAN." THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT "BE ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT OUR POLICY TO RELEASE OUR INTERNAL REPORTS". I SENT A FOLLOW UP LETTER VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR ON JUNE 6, 2006 REQUESTING THAT AN EXCEPTION TO THE POLICY BE MADE IN MY CASE AND ASKING AGAIN TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT. I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO MY LETTER. THUS, I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC.
NHTSA complaint #10172106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING THE DRIVE WAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A CRASH WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE BEFORE IT STALLED IN THE YARD ACROSS THE STREET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPAIRED THE DAMAGES TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10164477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 LEXUS ES330 ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM. I STOPPED IN THE LEFT TURN LANE AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. THERE WERE THREE CARS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND I HAD THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE LEFT-HAND TURN-LIGHT SIGNAL CHANGED TO GREEN, I PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. INSTANTLY, THE MOTOR MADE A LOUD REVVING SOUND AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO PUSH ON THE CAR THAT I HAD HIT. I THEN TRIED TO BACK AWAY FROM THE CAR I HAD HIT BY PUTTING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I SHIFTED MY CAR INTO REVERSE IT HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME AND I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. THIS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. THIS WAS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS $4,500 DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND $7,500 OF DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AT THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. UNTIL THIS ACCIDENT I HAD NEVER BEEN THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. NHTSA WEBSITE HAS COMPLAINTS OF VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS POSTED BY OWNERS OF THE 2004 LEXUS ES330 MODEL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO LEXUS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #10150632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE ACCELERATOR IN MY 2004 LEXUS ES 330 STUCK IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT AND CAUSED A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10147312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE JENCI'S CONTEND THAT MRS. JENCI PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT THEN SURGED, MADE A LOUD SOUND AND LUNGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10143885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2004 LEXUS ES 330 HAS SEVERE HESITATION AND SURGING PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE UNDER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS MERGING ONTO FREEWAY WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED TO SLOW AND THEN ACCELERATE. WE EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS DUE TO HESITATION AND THEN SUDDEN SURGE. SECOND TRIP TO DEALER AND THEY SAY IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ENFORCED. LEXUS SEEMS TO THINK IT IS ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10129267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.