drifter

I just don't see it, niether did the NHTSA when they did an investigation into the transmission issue. There has never been a traffic accident reported blamed on the transmission hesitation that they could find, with all the ES's sold from 2002-2004 (when they did the investigation) you'd think they could have found ONE instance if it were truly dangerous. Anyways mine's still shifting smooth after the update and I'm getting better mileage than ever, but that may be due to my new tires.

Annoying sure, dangerous no. Old argument though.

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Curious, what kind of tires did you put on your car? I'm having the TSIB you mentioned done to my 03 ES300 tomorrow. I'm only slightly optimistic.

I check back every few months to see how the tranny thread is going and to see if Lexus actually has a fix. Still a bunch of BS. My first and likely last Lexus because of the BS they're handing out. I wish someone could actually find out the whole inside truth on what's wrong with the engine/tranny and broadcast it nationwide. Jerks!

jragosta !! I love your reply! You have eloquently stated how Lexus is ignoring the problem and calling it "normal". It must be a corporate mantra to dealers to label something normal when they can't or won't bother admitting it's a problem that needs a fix. It's very clear in all the conversations I've had with the dealer and Lexus that once they label it "normal" that's the end of the discussion and they aren't listening any more. I'm real dissatisfied with the tranny hesitation for all the same reasons you mention and more. Turns out they are just like every other car dealer....the operative word here being deceptive.

PS My right rear window is frozen in the closed position (thankfully) for the 2nd time in as many months. I really dislike going to the dealer for anything now that I've received my free 5K service and gift. I insist they write up the tranny problem and the rattle every time I take the car in just to rub it in their face. Can you tell I'm bitter?

Thanks for the replies. Don't think I can describe it any better. After I requested that the dealer at least put the car on the rack and look underneath and check for loose things they finally agreed. 4 techies walked around underneath, had engine running and in drive, couldn't reproduce noise on the rack. Back on the ground with car accelerating from stop noise still there. We checked all the heat shields and clamps, they weren't loose. Using high test or regular makes no difference. The true spark knock is very audible when putting pedal to floor using regular gas but the anti-knock sensor activates very quickly to get rid of it. The noise I'm describing is audible even after the anti-knock sensor has done its job.

More suggestions?

Since taking delivery, 03 ES300 has a constant rattle during the slightest acceleration from a stop. The only time it can't be heard is when the engine is cold and then only for the first minute or so. Noise sounds like a low grade spark knock. Most noticeable with windows down, no traffic noise, and driving next to a wall or a crash railing next to the road. Test drove another loaner same model year and same noise occurred under same conditions. Dealer and regional rep say it's normal and won't do anything to determine what's causing it or attempt to fix it.

Ideas anyone?

It's amazing that this thread continues as long as it has with more and more people reporting the same problem with their new ES330's also. I very often wish there was some way to start a smear campaign against the ES3xx models to force Lexus to do something effective about it. This is only 1 of the 2 chronic problems I have with my 03 ES300. I keep coming back here hoping Lexus has come up with an effective fix but it aint happening.

.....and on and on it goes without a solution and no hope of getting one

Back to you amf1932.....you asked what can be adjusted to fix the hesitation? You'll need to adjust your expectations of Lexus to start with because this has been happening since 2002 and is still happening in 2004 ES330. Until someone with enough clout forces Lexus to fix it, we will all live with it. They don't really ing care!

There is no effective fix for the hesitating tranny yet. It's happening in 02-03 ES300's and the 04 ES330. They still haven't fixed it and continue to reproduce more cars with the same problem. Lexus is not better than the rest of them although they would like you to think so.

Back to steviej and SW03ES....thanks...I guess my service department isn't on the list for fixes. It amazes me that I have to tell them what to look at to fix the noise. Yeah, they installed the TSB tranny upgrade and it did nothing. Thanks again! If I get it fixed I'll let you know.

03 ES300 owners! Listen to your car! Drive the car for 10 minutes to allow it to warm up. Find a quiet location where you can drive next to curbing, or a wall, a metal crash barrier, or almost anything that a sound coming from the car can echo off of. Now open all windows so you can hear the noise coming from outside. Accelerate from a stop slowly but firmly and continue accelerating up through 40mph. As soon as the car starts moving, you should hear a clicking/rattling sound coming from outside the vehicle. It will continue throughout the acceleration until the wind noise drowns it out. Now that you've heard the noise, can anyone tell me what's causing it? Has anyone gotten a fix from Lexus yet? What was the fix? Oh yes, I also have the famous chronic tranny hesitation problem also! Anyone have a fix for that yet?

I've been wanting to test drive an 04 330 to see if it has the same tranny hesitation as my 03 300 and from what you say it does. I'm not surprised. It's really a very annoying (and unsafe) defect but Lexus is still getting away with not fixing it. I read where the dealer was told to buy back an 03 300 lease due to dangerous tranny lag by the lemon law arbitrators after they drove the car. Now that's progress!

Their TSB from August (or any subsequent one) did nothing to solve my problem.

All of my driving is city driving, paved roads, flat terrain, south Florida, 6-7 miles/day avg. MPG ranging from as low as 12mpg to 14-15mpg. I do accelerate quickly but not to the floor. What mpg are you getting?

What would be the best way for me to be sure I'm notified if and when the transmission hesitation problem results in a class action suit? I have an ES300 with all the problems described herein. :)