39 of the
276 complaints about the 2008 Lexus ES350 are about the
throttle and cruise control — 14% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
18,887 miles.
F
39
Complaints
17
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
2974.4%
Accelerator Pedal
1025.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Lexus ES350 year
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light showed that the tire pressure was low. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. While attempting to reverse out of a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated forward at 60 MPH. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle out of the parking lot to avoid a crash. The vehicle decelerated independently. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the contact drove the vehicle home at slow speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The contact deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive and decided to sell it. The vehicle was sold to Carmax instead of to the dealership because they offered more money. But the contact still suffered a significant financial loss so they are requesting a reimbursement for the remainder of the value at which they purchased the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11498702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CURB ON THE LEFT, THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG INJURIES AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #10881514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesSomerset, NJCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE ENTERING MY GARAGE, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SMASHED INTO THE REAR WALL DESTROYING A CABINET AND REFRIDGERATOR AND WENT THROUGH THE WALL. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR AS EVIDENCED BY BRAKE SKID MARKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. LEXUS LATER INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMED THEY COULD FIND NO DEFECT. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE AND I WERE ONLY SHAKEN UP FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE COVERED PART OF THE DAMAGE AND LEXUS HAS DISAVOWED ANY RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THEY NEVER INSPECTED THE DAMAGE TO OUR HOME OR THE EVIDENCE THAT I WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR ALMOST FROM THE INSTANT IT ENTERED THE GARAGE. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES BY EMAIL, BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO RETRIEVE THEM FOR THIS DOCUMENT. T
NHTSA complaint #10786456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesEden Prairie, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE CURRENTLY HAVE ALLSTATE FOR INSURANCE AND THEY HAVE THIS ITEM CALLED THE DRIVEWISE. THIS DEVICE FITS IN THE OBD II PORT UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS DEVICE CREATED MULTIPLE COMMUNICATIONS ERRORS WITHIN THE COMPUTERS FOR THE CAR. AFTER READING UP ON THIS, IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE IN MANY MAKES/MODELS. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FUNNY INTO ANOTHER GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS NOT WORKING AND WOULD NOT LIGHT UP. THE RADIO WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE SUNROOF WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE. THE SPEAKERS WERE MAKING A CRACKLING SOUND AND THE A/C WASN'T WORKING. THE HEATED AND COOLED SEATS WERE NOT WORKING. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE INTO THE LEXUS DEALER THEY COULD SEE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING MULTIPLE COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES BETWEEN THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS. THIS DEVICE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND WE WILL NOT CONTINUE USING IT. EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL NOW THAT THE DEVICE HAS BEEN REMOVED. HAD WE NOT BEEN PROACTIVE ABOUT THIS, THE DEVICE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. POTENTIALLY HARMING SOMEONE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN WE HAVE AND I FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD DO MORE RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCT.
NHTSA complaint #10598044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,800 milesPalm Desert, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE THEN RESUMED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,800.
NHTSA complaint #10584685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesWynnewood, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ES 350 LEXUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENTLY ACCELERATED EXCESSIVELY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. HE NOTIFIED THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #10573995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,489 milesFremont, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD ALMOST FINISHED PARKING MY '08 LEXUS ES 350 IN A PARKING PLACE AT A BUSINESS PARK WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD VERY FAST. I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. I BRAKE HARD, BUT THE CAR WENT UP OVER A CEMENT DIVIDER AND CRASHED INTO THE CAR PARKED FACING ME. I HAD THE CAR ONE AND HALF YEARS, AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. AN INSPECTOR FOUND NOTHING WRONG EXTERNALLY, BUT THE EDR SHOWED I HAD NOT STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE THE CRASH, ONLY THE BRAKE, AND YET IT HAD SURGED FORWARD. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN EARLIER FOR THE RECALL, AND HAD REMOVED THE MAT AND HAD SOMETHING ADDED TO THE SOFTWARE. I SOLD THE CAR BACK TO LEXUS IMMEDIATELY AS I NEVER WANTED TO STEP FOOT IN IT AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR, AND SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONICS TO CAUSE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10380914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesNorth Augusta, SC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE CRUISING 60 MPH THE LEXUS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO OVER 90 MPH. CONTACT STOOD ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS HE COULD AND SWITCHED THE IGNITION OFF, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED REVVING AS HIGH AS THE MOTOR WOULD GO. FINALLY, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN. HOWEVER, BY THEN THE BRAKES WERE RED HOT. CONTACT PULLED THE COIL WIRE TO STOP THE MOTOR FROM BLOWING UP. AFTER, THE CONTACT'S TERRIFIED WIFE AND CHILDREN CALMED DOWN FROM THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, THE LEXUS WAS TOWED TO A LEXUS DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED AND WROTE THE DEALER FOR WEEKS BUT ONLY RECEIVED A RESPONSE AFTER THREATENING LEGAL ACTION. TOYOTA OF AMERICA THEN SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO ERASE THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DATA PROVING EVEN TOYOTA THINKS ITS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IS ELECTRICAL, NOT MECHANICAL. UPDATED 01/25/11*LJ UPDATED 04/18/11.
NHTSA complaint #10365496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OHCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OWNER OF 2008 LEXUS ES RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR ISSUE WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS SERVICE DEPT FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER A MONTH OR SO LATER, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED GETTING UP TO SPEED OF APPROX 70 MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. BRAKES DID NOT STOP OR SLOW CAR DOWN. AS A RESULT, TWO PARKED CARS WERE HIT, AND DAMAGED RESIDENTS YARDS BEFORE RUNNING HEAD ON INTO A TREE IN SOMEONE'S YARD. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10359690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TXCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA COMPLAINT *TGW 2008 LEXUS ES350 THE CONSUMER STATED AS HIS WIFE TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *JB UPDATED 09/20/10
NHTSA complaint #10355335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,167 milesSAN Gabriel, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 75 MPH WHEN THE TRACTION, ENGINE AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED HOWEVER WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BACK TO 75 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AGAIN UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH WHEN HIS FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED A SPEED OF 65 MPH ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,167.
NHTSA complaint #10346179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesOceanside, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN A 2008 LEXUS ES-350 - IT HAD A RECALL FOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHICH THEY ADJUSTED THE GAS PEDAL. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I PULLED UP TO THE OFFICE AT MY APT COMPLEX, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND CAR CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD, WENT OVER THE CURB AND KNOCKED DOWN THE LEASING SIGN. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND CAR CONTINUED TO GO BACKWARDS, THEN PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND FINALLY CAR STOPPED. LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IF THAT IS TRUE WHY DID THE CAR CONTINUE TO GO FORWARD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10342196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bogart, GACrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 4-26-10, WHILE IN CINCINNATI OHIO, I WAS THE PASSENGER IN A 2008 LEXUS ES350 .WE WERE GOING TO KROGER. THE DRIVER STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND AFTER LEAVING THE STOP SIGN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ALL BY IT'S SELF TO A VERY FAST SPEED. DUE TO THE CAR'S EXCESSIVE SPEED, THE CAR LEFT THE STREET AND HIT 2 OTHER VEHICLES & A TREE. SPECIAL NOTE: SINCE THIS TYPE CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER / DRIVER OF THE CAR HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE "FIXED" AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL LETTER.
NHTSA complaint #10341801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AS SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10341076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westwood, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2008 LEXUS ES 350. CONSUMER WRITES TO ADVISE OF A RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH THE MANDATED RECALL TO CORRECT THE SUPPOSED ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL WORK. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE CONSUMER WAS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE POSITION OF THE PEDAL AND THE LOUD NOISE THAT WAS PLAINLY AUDIBLE WHEN DRIVING. UPON HIS INSISTENCE, THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AGAIN. THE PEDAL PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, BUT THE ROAD NOISE PERSISTS. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE, THE DEALERSHIP HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL INSULATION WITH STYROFOAM. STYROFOAM INSTEAD OF SOUND-PROOFING MATERIAL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN APPROPRIATE SOLUTION, SINCE IT MAGNIFIES SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10330667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2008 LEXUS ES350. ACCELERATION ISSUES *GR THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING AN OFFICIAL, WRITTEN RESPONSE FROM LEXUS DETAILING THE EXACT MODIFICATION INTENDED TO BE PERFORMED UNDER THE RECALL AND A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF HOW THE SYSTEM INSTALLED WILL PERFORM INCLUDING SPECIFIC DETAIL OF THE CERTAIN SPEEDS AND DRIVING CONDITIONS REFERRED TO IN THE AFOREMENTIONED RECALL LETTER. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DOES NOT INTEND TO HAVE ANY RECALL RELATED MODIFICATIONS PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE UNTIL SUCH TIME, HE RECEIVES A SATISFACTORY WRITTEN RESPONSE TO HIS QUERY.
NHTSA complaint #10327466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwich, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2008 LEXUS ES 350. CONSUMER ASSERTS THAT ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED BY COMPUTER ISSUES. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER CRASHING INTO A TREE DUE TO THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATING, THE AIR BAG INJURED HIS LEG. THE BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE VSC AND TRAC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WENT DEAD AGAIN, BUT IT WASN'T BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD 4 LOANER CARS IN A MATTER OF 4 WEEKS, DUE TO ALL THE PROBLEMS HE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED 04/06/10.
NHTSA complaint #10318620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesJericho, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NOTHING WAS DONE REGARDING ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE JUST UNDER 14,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesDyer, INCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES; HOWEVER THE OCCUPANT OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE CONTACT WAS HELD LIABLE FOR THE CRASH AND ALL REPAIRS WERE HANDLED THROUGH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V38800, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL) PERTAINING TO POSSIBLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES SINCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 26, 000.
NHTSA complaint #10318936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesOakland, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR LOUDLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY DID PERFORM AN OPEN RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V388000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN SLIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD RAPIDLY PICK UP SPEED BEYOND WHAT IT SHOULD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,642 milesCerritos, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATES SHE JUST RECENTLY HAD THE RECALL DONE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTRACT STATES BEFORE HAVING HER VEHICLE REPAIRED IT HAD NO PROBLEMS AND IT WAS DRIVING FINE. THE CONTACT STATES NOW WHEN SHE TAKES HER FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SEEM TO STOP LIKE IT USE TO. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT WAS 14,642.
NHTSA complaint #10317832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,200 milesST. Charles, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2008 LEXUS 350 WITH ACCELERATION PROBLEM NOT YET DISCUSSED BY TOYOTA..SOMETIMES AT A FULL STOP OR AT SLOW SPEEDS IT AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATES.
NHTSA complaint #10316721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesFontana, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AT NIGHT AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE CURB AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE AND A RETAINING WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD COME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL INSTANCES OF SURGING BUT NOT TO THE POINT WHERE SHE COULD NOT STOP OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE BODY SHOP AWAITING INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10316739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,500 milesNEW Canaan, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. WITHIN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND AS THE CONTACT TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CRASHED ONTO THE TRAIN TRACKS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE ALSO INCREASED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5500.
NHTSA complaint #10316178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesSharon, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY LEASED A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN ONE YEAR OF LEASING THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE THE PEDAL WAS STUCK. SHE WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AND AVOID A CRASH. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MATS WERE THE CAUSE SO SHE TOOK THEM OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ON 01/22/2010, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM 60 MPH UP TO ALMOST 100 MPH. SHE KICKED THE PEDAL UNTIL IT RELEASED. SHE THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT. SHE WAS WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO TERMINATE THE LEASE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
NHTSA complaint #10315056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,500 milesNEW Canaan, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE DRIFTED, HIT THE CURB AND ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A RAIL ROAD PARKING LOT FENCE. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER CHEST. THE CONNECTICUT POLICE REPORT 2009-015560 WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. UPDATED 05/04/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/16/10
NHTSA complaint #10314619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,413 milesPonte Vedra Beach, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I PURCHASED A 2008 LEXUS ES 350 ON FEBRUARY 21, 2008. ON MAY 28, 2008, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, LEXUS OF JACKSONVILLE, FL, BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL STUCK ON MAY 26, 2008. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 80 MPH AND I HAD TO INSERT MY FOOT UNDERNEATH THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK AND RAISE THE PEDAL TO DECREASE ACCELERATION. LEXUS OF JACKSONVILLE CHECKED THE PEDAL AND I WAS TOLD THE PEDAL HAD BEEN ADJUSTED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2008, I WAS CONTACTED BY LEXUS OF JACKSONVILLE TO SCHEDULE THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL OF THE GAS PEDAL STICKING AND AN ENGINE HOSE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10312997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellicott City, MDCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING A 2008 LEXUS ES 350 DOWN WISCONSIN AVENUE IN BETHESDA, MD AND WAS STATIONARY AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF WISCONSIN AVENUE AND BRADLEY BLVD. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, UPON LIGHTLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR TO GET MY CAR MOVING AGAIN, IT STARTED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE (OUT OF MY CONTROL) AND, DESPITE MY PRESSING THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE, THE CAR WAS MOVING VERY FAST AND STOPPED ONLY AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET, WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THAT VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. A CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND AS WELL. MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND MY CAR WAS DAMAGED SO MUCH THAT IT HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A ACCELERATOR DEFECT IN THE CAR. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ONGOING TOYOTA INVESTIGATION INTO ACCELERATOR DEFECTS IN MY CAR MODEL. I AM LUCKY THAT I SURVIVED. HAD I NOT BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THAT FORCED MY CAR TO STOP, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MUCH MORE SPEED I WOULD HAVE GAINED RESULTING IN LIKELY MUCH GREATER DAMAGE TO LIFE AND PROPERTY.
NHTSA complaint #10312875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,400 milesWest Palm Beach, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATION PROBLEM 2008 LEXUS E350. WHILE ENTERING THE FLORIDA TURNKPIKE, I ACCELERATED QUICKLY TO MERGE AHEAD OF TRAFFIC. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL STUCK. IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL TOOK OVER. I ACCELERATED QUICKLY FROM 45MPH TO 85 MPH. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS I LOOKED DOWN AT THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE I HIT THE BRAKE, IT WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES IT RELEASED. WHILE SHAKEN, I CONTINUED ON TO MY DESTINATION IN MIAMI. I WAS CAREFUL NOT TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. WHEN I RETURNED TO WEST PALM BEACH I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THE LEXUS DEALER INDICATED MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL FOR FLOOR MATS. THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT SECURED TO THE HOOKS. THE FLOORMAT HOOK HOLES WERE BEHIND THE HOOKS AND MATS WERE BACK AGAINST THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORTS. THE MATS WERE NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE ACCELERATOR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT OR WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER INSISTED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED DUE TO THE FLOOR MATS. I DISAGREED KNOWING THE POSITION OF THE MATS WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE REACTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RECALLED FLOORMATS. MY COMPLAINT IS THEY DENIED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND INSISTED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FLOOR MATS. I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY THEY ARE NOT ALSO CHECKING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SOFTWARE. WHILE THIS IS THE ONLY OCCURRENCE OF THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, I NOW HAVE A VERY UNEASY FEELING ABOUT ACCELERATING QUICKLY. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW TIMES I ACCELERATED QUICKLY. I DON'T FEEL MY CONCERN OR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED. THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION FROM THE LEXUS DEALER THAT THEY LOOKED ANY FURTHER THAN THE FLOORMATS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP IS LEXUS OF WEST PALM BEACH. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA complaint #10310637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesSilver Spring, MDCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHILE HAVING HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND HIT A RESTAURANTS WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LEXUS DEALER, DIAGNOSED AND THEY DIDN'T TELL HIM WHAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATION. THE FRONT END WAS REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9000.
NHTSA complaint #10307889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.