2003 Es300 Quality Problems

[gi2003]

Hi,

I bought a 2003 ES300 about 2 months ago. I am having several problems and would appreciate feedback on how to move forward. The problems are:

- When I took the car in for the 1,000 mile service, I complained about a rattle in the passenger door. The dealer took almost 3 weeks to fix it because they had to get a "specialist". Now what I would expect from a 1 month old car.

- The transmission has the same problem as those described by other members.

- The gas mileage is awful. The sticker says 21 city and 29 highway. The best I have every gotten with a combination of city and highway is 19mpg. Complained to the dealer but they say they can't do much about it. The service manager was actually surprised that the sticker has 21/29 - he would have expected them to put around 20 mpg.

- Last week I noticed that the rear seats have some stiching that is coming out. I called the dealer and they want me to bring it again - I'm worried that they are going to keep it for another 3 weeks.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[ticman]

I can sympathize with you but am not having the same problems, albeit I only have 500 miles on the car. My first tank of gas (regular from the dealer) gave me 22 mpg doing town driving. No problem with transmission as mentioned in a number of postings.

My dealer, with whom I have done business since 1993, would never do the 3 week run a round you got regarding the door issue and the seams on the seat would be taken care of asap. Excellent dealership--Balise in Springfield, MA.

Don't take NO for an answer.

[steviej]

issues #1 and #2 are known. They are/were in the 2002 model too.

1: the door noise is the sound insulation inside the doors. It tends to move around. They have to go inside the door panel and either a.) remove it, or b.) use the trusty ole duct tape to further secure it. Three weeks is totally absurd. It was probably a low priority for them. Just curious: what did they tell you it was?

my experience: I never did anything about it. It seemed to happen in the winter months and eventually the insulation "settled" in to its final resting position cause I ain't heard a peep out of it so far. We will see later this fall/winter.

2. the tranny problem (sorry, according to Lexus it is a concern) is apparently user dependent and variable. Don't stomp the pedal and you probably won't see it. Strong steady accelerations and learning the pedal are the way to absolve your ES of the problem until the fix comes this fall.

so that you are on record as not being satisfied, register you complaint with 1-800-25-LEXUS AND you dealership. This way you won't have to pay for the fix when it comes out and you will be notified when it comes out.

3. The rear seat is a new one. Maybe just something got snagged on it. Don't even let the dealership tell you it happened outside there place. They had it for three weeks, anything was possible especially if the door panels were just taken off and placed on the rear seats.

the dealership should just order a new back seat. The bottom and backs should be removable. They most likely will swap it out.

gas mileages that are stated on window stickers are projected and under optimal conditions. I ask you, who lives in optimal conditions? 20 city and >25 all highway is good if you get close to that.

I replaced the stock air filter with a K&N air filter and consistently get 23-24 mpg for around town city driving and ~30 mpg all highway. I only run premium fuel (but I don't know if that will change the mileage any at all).

steviej

2002 ES with 27,300 miles on it.

My big concerns are a rattle in the right front suspension when the temp is >85°F and the sunroof is begining to make squeky/creaky noises.

[SW03ES]

What kind of rattle is it in the front Steve? Have you tried lubing the moonroof glides with some grease?

As for the seat stitching, either they did something to snag it, or it had a fault from the factory in the stitching.

As for the gas mileage, the manfacturer's estimates are just that, estimates. 19 when they estimate 21 is acceptable. I get around 19/20 driving hard.

[steviej]

Steve, the moonroof noise is only when closed. It is a creaking noise made by the rubber gasket against the metal roof when I hit any kind of bumps. If I press on the glass, I can make it make the same noise. I think I am stuck with the noise. I have read every post on CL about the a noise on the GS moonroof. Seems to be inherent in the beast.

The rattle in the suspension does not happen when it is raining and does not happen when it is less than ~80 degrees.

It is a clunk kind of sound. The two times I brought it to the dealership, it could not be reproduced even going through construction sites. It happens when my foot is on the brake and when I never even touch the brake. It happens sometimes when I turn the wheel and sometimes when I am just going straight.

The biggest thing is that it only comes from the right front wheel area.

Of well. I will keep looking. If it is making it when I am out, the dealership said come right over.

steviej

[SW03ES]

Sounds to me like a bushing or a ball joint Steve. If its a ball joint it can be easily found by the dealer. The fact that it doesn't happen when its raining tells me it may be a bushing in need of lubrication. They're SUPPOSED to lubricate all thew bushings at every service, hence why its called "Oil and Lube" but sometimes they don't. if they don't they become dry and create a clunk like that.

[steviej]

what an awesome idea. I totally forgot that. That is the sound that it is making. I assumed they did that when they did the 25k service.

I can even do this myself. Great, now a plan for the last day of vacation.

The sunroof, by the way, didn't make a sound today. go figure.

steviej

[steviej]

hey Steve,

I'm out of luck on this one. There are NO user servicable grease fittings on the bushings or ball joints on the 02. Absolutely nothing, front and back.

Oh well. I was thunder and lightning last night, so I should here anything today.

steviej

[steviej]

Steve (SW03ES), listen to this,

I am out by my car and decide to shake each wheel while the car is flat on all four.. The left two and right rear are solid, BUT the right front (sound eminating from this wheel-remember) clunks when I shake it.

At 27k can a wheel bearing go bad?

Tomorrow I have to put a different tire on and make sure it is not the rim shaking and it is infact the hub.

I'm getting closer. I will keep you posted once again.

steviej

[steviej]

update 8/11/03:

they found something wrong with the right front strut. It is being replaced tomorrow. I will know if that was it, by Tues. night.

steviej

[steviej]

it's all quiet now, even the moonroof ain't creaking either.

I appreciate the car even more when it is totally quiet.

steviej

[SW03ES]

I was in Jersey for my fiance's grandmother's 90th birthday party and missed your updates Steve but I'm glad that you got it worked out.

I mentioned the bushings because they always fail to lube them on my Explorer, creating a similar noise.

[shellydnca]

I had the same rattle in my sunroof. After 2 visits and the dealer putting some UGLY orange grease in the inside of my sunroof, all is well right now.

:( BUT I am having a problem with my Toyo tires. They are worn on the inside (car is less than a year ols and 17000 miles) Getting the run arround by Lexus, Toyo, AND the dealer. Any recomedations on tires? Michelin Pilots? Dunlop sp4000? or ContiExtremes? I am waiting for Lexus' final reply. Toyo only wants to give me 50% credit. I am not in the mood to spend any money for the same tires. Dealer says the rear tire allignment is factory set to tip inward. HUH?

Any Ideas?

[SW03ES]

The Toyos are really soft, and are only put on ES when they're sold in a non snow climate, they're summer tires. When driving moderately hard, its understandable that they'd wear out at 17k. Probably lucky that Toyo will even give you 50%. Is that only on another set of Proxes?

The rear wheels on most sedans are set to tip slightly inward at the top, its to improve stability. Shouldn't be a problem if the tires are rotated properly. I have Michelin MXV4s on mine, came with them from the factory. They're a pretty good tire but according to the reviews from TireRack they're not the best. Once I can justify it I'm going to move to these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...rtnum=16VR6CEC&

These tires are awesome (you did mention them), the ContiTouring ExtremeContact. They're a great price, $80 each for the ES, they have GREAT reviews, and you can get road hazard coverage through TireRack for $45. Plus Continental has a 30 day ride garantee and they'll give you your money back for them if you're not satisfied.

They're on mine before winter for sure.

I dont reccomend the Dunlop 4000s or 5000s, we've had wear problems with them, several sets.

[SpeedRacer959]

SW03ES,

Those tires look like they are the best of all worlds, wet, snow, and dry. I'm probably going to put those on my lexus before this winter. They are cheap too. Only $109 for 225/45R17

Thanks!

-Jimi

[SW03ES]

Continental also has another interesting tire, the ContiPremiumContact which is an H rated touring tire. Its new though and Tire Rack has no surveys on it yet though.

[SpeedRacer959]

I still have a few months before I have to decide. I'll watch the reviews on those too and decide then.

I think the LOC needs a section for the most popular upgrades for cars for performance or just keeping it stock but a little better...or maybe not. just a thought.

[steviej]

Steve, thanks for posting your intentions. I was ready to start putting money away for October. When the Enkeis/Toyos come off in mid fall, I have to decide on what tire to get for the stock rims.

The Bridgestone RE92 that came stock on the car in will not make in through the next winter and they only had 24k on them when I put on the Enkeis.

Interestingly enough, I just got an email from TireRack (I'm on their email list for survey results) and the ExtremeContact was one that was listed.

The price is defineately better than the Michelins. Almost half the price. Let me know opinion if you get them if it is by Oct. If not, then I will hit you up with my opinion.

The other option I am throwing around is the Goodyear Aquatred 3. I had the original Aquatred on my SSEi and totally loved them.

Quiet, lasted almost 50k, good in snow, awesome in rain, what more could you ask for.

steviej

[shellydnca]

:) Thanks for your advice about the tires. The car is only an arround the town car and not driven on hard surfaces or freeways. We did all the maintence services at the dealer. I did complain about the ride and was told they were cupping which they weren't. They were wearing signifiantly on the insides.

:D The dealer called me on Friday and is in the process of ordering me 4 new non-toyo tires to replace the toyo's that I currently have at no charge. Talk about making my day!!

YIPPEEEEE

[SW03ES]

Glad it worked out for you.