Hi All,
Yikes, what a mess. I have a similar sad story. I purchased a used 2013 ES 3500 in October 2020 that had only 9,000 mi. What a find I thought! The little old lady who drove around town to church and salon etc. I thought this is my retirement car (I just retired)... with Covid I hardly drive any more than the first own but did notice the coasting / downshifting characteristic and though wasn't bothersome it was surely peculiar. Otherwise it drives like a magic carpet ride with no hesitation and plenty of passing power. But recently after driving for a couple of hours on at highway speed 65-70 mph that car started shaking like crazy. It felt like the wheels were coming off with a wild wobble effect. I slowed down to 50 and it stopped. Luckily I was almost home by then and drove a low speeds the last 20 miles. Since then I took it for a test drive to pay close attention... it drove fine 55,65,75,80mph. huh? I settled into a 70mph cruise, then after driving 10 miles or so the violent shaking happened. The whole car shook, mostly felt in the seat, not the steering wheel. I slowed down to 55 and it disappeared, sped up to 65 and it was back. Then I decided to see what happens if I try to accelerate hard, UT-OH! the motor raced but the car did not speed up. CRAP! Could the transmission on a car that just turned 12,000 miles be a goner? Taking it to my mechanic who has always been honest and reliable (and I don't want to be abused at a stealership). I read in this post that transmission fluids have been found to be low (how can we tell without a dipstick?) and a top off, or a flush and refill to proper level has fixed this issue in other cars. UGH I really thought I may have bought my last car.
