johnlewisgrant

Update on my vibration problem (2011 es 350, 34k kilometers, ie pretty new: the vibration happens under torque (ie on hard acceleration) AND it gets more noticeable as the car warms up. Typically, then, you'll feel the vibration through the floor when climbing a hill or accelerating over 50 mph (80km per hour). It's a constant vibration over 70 mph, which I think is because at that speed torque is constant. significantly, there is NO vibration at ANY speed when the vehicle is gliding, ie, no foot on the gas. Engine mounts and/or wheel bearings I'm thinking? Now.... how to get that diagnosed and then fixed under warranty!!!

I've heard many complaints about es350 vibration, even in recent models. Mine was and remains no exception. Unfortunately wheel balance is NOT the issue in my case. It's a 2011 at 32k kilometers (20k miles very approximately), on the THIRD set of tires. 2 sets of Michelins: the original factory set; a dealer set (more than slightly used) and finally some Coopers which I paid for myself, out of desperation to try to solve the vibration problem. The second set (Michelins) were, as it turns out, used and had flat spots. No wonder they were so bad! Fed up, I replaced the Michelins with brand new Coopers (US made), which were much smoother. But here's the deal: now I have decent tires, road-force balanced by Lexus, there is a noticeable engine vib at 70 mph and up. It's a vibration that will be familiar to anyone who's driven a 6 cylinder car where one of the cylinders is not fully firing. Very slight, but noticeable with the application of a little throttle at 70 and up. Car's smooth as silk below 65 but not very nice above. For me, this feels electrical, but that can't be, because there's no engine light. I suspect that Lexus's engine vibration control (which is electrical) may contain a design flaw, or there's not quite enough not working to trip the engine light. Try to get Lexus to diagnose THAT? It's not going to happen.\ And, oh, my old 1999 es was smooth as silk to 100 mph. Not the 2011. So drive at 70 and up, but only with an unpleasant albeit faint engine vibration.

Resurrecting this old thread to say that I had the IDENTICAL problem on my 2011 350. Balancing, even road balancing, did not correct the problem: vibration under pedals and seat starting at 80 and becoming severe at 90. My 2011 Golf, in comparison, is dead smooth and fantastically stable at ALL speeds (just a whole heck of a lot noisier.) Just can't comfortably drive the car over 60. It IS a wheel balance problem in all likelihood, since it gets worse as the tires warm up. And it IS very frustrating. As I said to my wife: "Never, ever buy another one of these things off the lot, sight unseen. ALWAYS get one you can test drive first!!!" Owned a lot of cars in my 60 years on the planet. Including a previous es. Never, never owned a car that vibrated this bad at high speeds. Lexus has some explaining to do. At this point I will never purchase another one. JG

My 2011 es350 HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! Our previous es, a 1999 es 300, did 70-90 mph very smooth. Sure, at 160 miles OD the steering was a little iffy, but NO vibration. Purchased the 2011 a year ago, off the showroom with no pre-drive or test drive.... a mistake. It vibrated under the seat and at the steering wheel from 70-90 mph, and I haven't even tried 100. Don Valley Lexus, the most "exclusive" dealer in this town of 5 million (greater Toronto) was unable to fix the problem. Regular balance, special road similated balance, etc., etc. .... none of them made any difference. Of course, I'm not happy. Our little 2010 Golf is noisier, but smooth as silk at any and all speeds.... handling is superb. The 350 handles fine, but not great.... you don't buy this car for handling but for serene highway miles. Just don't take the 350 over 65 mph. Truly a geezer vehicle. J. Grant Toronto, Canada A disappointed 350 owner.