2007 Lexus ES350 engine problems

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE OIL LEVEL LOWERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND UNABLE TO HOLD OIL TO REDUCE EMISSION CONTROL OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BREDEMANN LEXUS (2000 N WAUKEGAN RD, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (847) 510-5535) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING LATER THIS WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS THE SAME AS IN OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED, THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #11204351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

NHTSA complaint #11133176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AFTER BUYING AND OWNING FOR A YEAR. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR I ENDED UP HAVING TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND GETTING STUCK WITH A LIEN FOR THE LEXUS IN WHICH THE CAR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. PAID OUT OF POCKET THUS FAR FOR A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING: RADIATOR FAILING, ALL HOSES REPLACED, AXLE REPLACEMENT, TO NAME A FEW. CAR ONLY HAD 15000 MILES PLACED ON IT, BOUGHT USED. PURCHASED A WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A CLAIM, CLAIM WAS DENIED DUE TO DEALERSHIP NON-PAYMENT & "FORGETTING TO FILE PAPERWORK." OPENED UP CLAIM WITH MARYLAND INSURANCE COMMITTEE AND REPORTED DEALERSHIP FOR FRAUD.

NHTSA complaint #10991414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE AT STARTUP BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE VVT-I GEARS. LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (SB0028-09R2) BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY LOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING LEADING TO A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10884454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

OIL DUMPED OUT CROSSING A VERY LONG BRIDGE & ENGINE FROZE UP/STEERING HARD TO CONTROL...DUE TO A DEFECTIVE VVTI_OIL HOSE RUPTURING..BOTH LEXUS & TOYOTA WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM & HAD ISSUED A "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" THAT ENDED ON MARCH 31, 2013..BOTH REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR THAT WITH RENTAL CARS, COST ME APROX. $7,000.00..THIS WAS A RUBBER HOSE, THAT BOTH MFGS. KNEW ABOUT AND BOTH CO.CONTINUED TO REPLACE THESE FAULTY HOSES, WITH ANOTHER "RUBBER HOSE", EVEN THO' THERE WAS & STILL IS A METAL HOSE THAT IS RECOMMENDED!! I HAD POSTED THIS PROBLEM WITH YA'LL, SHORTLY AFTER, BUT, DO NOT FIND RECORDS OF.. BUT, APPROX. 2 WEEKS AGO, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM LEXUS STATING," THEY HAD DECIDED TO RE-OPEN THIS "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" TO EXTEND TO DEC. 31, 2021..A DAY TOO LATE & ALOT OF $$$$& TIME SPENT..EVEN THO' LEXUS SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER REIMBURSEMENT ON CARS, LIKE MINE THAT ALREADY HAD BEEN REPAIRED. LEXUS IS ONLY DOING THIS, AGAIN, BECAUSE I AM 100% SURE THAT ALL THE MANY MANY LEXUS & TOYOTA CAR OWNERS THAT HAD THEIR HOSES REPLACED BACK IN 2013 AND PRIOR ARE NOW EXPERIENCING WHAT I HAD TO GO THRU: ENGINE DIED, ALMOST RAN OFF THE BRIDGE AND SPENT WEEKS WITHOUT A CAR..HAD TO RENT. I ASK FOR YOU TO PLEASE GO BACK AND RESEARCH THIS FAULTY VVTI_OIL HOSE ON BOTH LEXUS & TOYATA CARS..THERE ARE THOUSANDS, ESPECIALLY WITH TOYOTA!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE VVTI-OIL HOSE AND YOU WILL SEE.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

NHTSA complaint #10651692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON..STILL HAD 400 MILES ON STICKER..TOOK TO LEXUS DEALER, ADVISED THEM I NOTICED OIL LEAKS ON MY DRIVEWAY& PLEASE CHECK ANY PROBLEMS WITH WHY MY LIGHT SHOULD BE ON..LEXUS CHANGED OIL, FILTER &INSPECTION..SAID ALL IS GOOD..3 WEEKS LATER LESS THAN 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME..ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, STOPPED TO TURN ONTO MY ROAD.LOW OIL PRESSURE, THAN HIT DRIVEWAY VSC ON..THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS W/BOTH LEXUS & TOYOTA (LEXUS.LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN 923 LSC 9LH). MY ENGINE IS NOW RUINED.COST EST TO REPAIR..$6,000.00 TO $10,000. PURCHASHED FROM A TOYOTA DEALER..NEITHER THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP NOR THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ARE WILLING TO HELP..BOTH ARE AWARE OF THIS PLASTIC..VVTI OIL HOSE AND HAS REPLACED WITH A METAL LINE..ON LATER MODELS....I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 93 DAYS. I ALSO HAVE THE ACCELERATOR ISSUE (STICKING)..NOT TOLD THIS WHEN I PURCHASED CAR AND FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND FAULTY BRAKE PADS..THIS IS NOT ONLY TOTAL DISHONESTY, BUT HAD I BEEN ON A LONG BRIDGE THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED..I WOULD HAVE DRIVEN OFF THE BRIDGE, AS THE STEERING LOCKED UP!! PLEASE ANY HELP/ASSISTANCE WILL BE APPRECIATED.I AM HAVING TO RENT A CAR, AS I WORK ON THE ROAD EVERY DAY..I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, IN ADVANCE!! BLESSINGS

NHTSA complaint #10584299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE WATER PUMP FAILED WITH LESS THAN 40000 MILES AND UNDER 5 YEARS OLD. IT WILL COST $1500. THE PUMP WAS $175. DO TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE AND PLACEMENT OF THE PUMP IT WILL TAKE 11 HOURS.

NHTSA complaint #10441567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

IN MAY/JUNE 2011 MY AC WENT OUT AND AUGUST 2011 MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WENT OFF TRACK DUE TO A BROKEN CLIP. I HAVE A 2007 LEXUS ES350 WITH 102,000 MILES. MY WARRANTY RAN OUT JUST BEFORE YEAR 2 DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE AC AND WAS TOLD THE AC EVAPORATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THE WATERPUMP WAS LEAKING AS WELL AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN FORGOT TO WRITE THE WATER PUMP INFORMATION ON THE TICKET. I CONTACTED LEXUS CONSUMER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE; REPLACED HALOGEN BULBS AT $200+ A PIECE IN 2009, REPLACED DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IN 2010 DUE TO A BROKEN CLIP, AND REPLACED REAR BRAKES IN 2008. LEXUS ONLY AGREED TO PAY 25% OF THE BILL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AC EVAPORATOR AND NOTHING TOWARDS THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATERPUMP. I DID NOT CONTACT THEM REGARDING THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW. REPLACEMENT OF THE AC EVAPORATOR, WATER PUMP, AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ARE VERY EXPENSIVE IF THE WORK IS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. REPLACEMENT OF AC EVAPORATOR IS $1605, WATER PUMP APPROX $3800, WINDOW $520+. LEXUS SAID THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDOW AND THAT THE CLIPS WERE NOT SOLD SEPARATELY WHEN I REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. TODAY (8/11), I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTO GLASS SHOP AND THEY FIXED MY PASSENGER WINDOW AND REPLACED THE CLIPS FOR ONLY $75. LEXUS IS DECEIVING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHICH IS THE REASON I WANT TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF NHTSA. IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT I STATED ABOVE ARE RECURRING WITH OTHER OWNERS. THEREFORE, I'M ASKING NHTSA TO RESEARCH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE AC EVAPORATOR, WINDOWS, REAR BRAKES, AND WATER PUMP. THESE SORT OF PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN A RELATIVELY NEW CAR AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE A RECALL OF THE 2007 LEXUS ES350 VEHICLE NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10418597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD THERE WOULD BE A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT A REPRESENTATIVE HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 3/28/11 *CN THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN AS A PSITON SLAP. UPDATED 04/25/11

NHTSA complaint #10382800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT AND CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE BEGINNING DECEMBER 2010. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,490 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,494.

NHTSA complaint #10371082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,100. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 07/28/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/12/10

NHTSA complaint #10320108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2007 LEXUS, ES, AND I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ELECTRONIC PUSH BUTTON ENGINE STARTER, AND NOT THE FLOOR MATS! PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED FATAL CAR CRASHES DUE TO ITS COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONING. DIDN'T A DRIVER AND HIS FAMILY LOSE THEIR LIVES IN A LEXUS 350. WHY IS TOYOTA RELUCTANT TO GIVE ME PERSONAL SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND?

NHTSA complaint #10303732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CATASTROPHIC MAJOR ENGINE OIL LEAK CAUSING VEHICLE TO BLOW APPROXIMATELY 2 GALLONS OF OIL ON THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. OIL LEAK VERY LARGE. LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL. THE OIL BLEW ALL OVER THE EXHAUST ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE. ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD OIL DISCHARGED INTO ENVIRONMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10267533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SOON AFTER I PURCHASED MY ES350 IN AUG 2007 I STARTED HEARING A BRRRRR SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHICH IS ONLY HEARD IN A COLD START AND LASTS FOR LESS THAN 10 MIN. I LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPTS SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND ALSO FROM A COLD START. TWICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND WHICH IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BELIEVE AS IT IS THERE EVERYTIME I START THE CAR. (MY HUSBAND THOUGHT THAT THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE VALVES OR TAPPITS.) THE SOUND WAS NOT PRESENT ON THE ES350 LOANER CARS THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME NOR IS THE SOUND HEARD IN FRIENDS ES350 CARS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM LATER ON WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THIS IS A WARNING SIGN.

NHTSA complaint #10207550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2007 LEXUS ES350-1-ADULT PASSENGER SAT IN THE FRONT SEAT AND I NOTICE THAT THE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. 2- I HAVE EXPERIENCED A DANGEROUS SUDDEN SURGE OF ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING, EVEN WITH ALL WEATHER MAT PROPERLY SECURED. I BELIEVE THE SURGE MAY BE A SOFTWARE AND/OR SENSOR FLAW. 3- WHEN THE ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED (COLD-AFTER SITTING), THE MECHANICAL ENGINE NOISE IS VERY PRONOUNCED AS IF PROPER LUBRICATION IS NOT OCCURRING.

NHTSA complaint #10200973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT FIRST NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE ON OCTOBER 11, 2006. UPDATE (FEBRUARY 21, 2007): MR. TOWERS SAID THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON, THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY ACCELERATE BEYOND ITS SET SPEED AND KEEP GOING. ONCE HE GOT A SPEED TICKET BECAUSE OF IT. SINCE, HE WAS ALERT TO THE MALFUNCTION AND ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL USUALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE SET SPEED BY 10 TO 15 MPH. THE MALFUNCTION SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN OTHER CARS ARE AROUND. AT FIRST, HE THOUGH OTHER CARS WERE SLOWING DOWN, BUT LATER REALIZE THAT IT WAS HIS CAR SPEEDING UP. HE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN INTERNET DEALER AND WASN'T SURE IT HAD THE "INTELLIGENT" CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA, THEY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10179191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.