View Poll Results: Where you stand with your ES 350's Transmission
It flares, I give up, I live with it
13
17.57%
The TSIB failed, pursuing buyback
7
9.46%
The TSIB did the trick, it no longer flares
7
9.46%
My ES never flared since day one
32
43.24%
Flare? What is a flare?
15
20.27%
Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll
More Recent Transmission Poll
08-29-07, 07:38 PM
#31
Lexus Champion
My ES350 was purchased new 7/06 and the tranny was replaced due to flare in 4/07 with 9K miles on it. The flare was there from day one but because it only manifests itself during first drive of the day it didn't seem to be a big issue. I mentioned it during second service. The replacement tranny had the same issue and then they tweaked the TCM (after taking it back twice to have them confirm it was flaring again). Seems to be OK now except that the RPMs appear to be set higher (resulting in reduced mileage). Currently in the process of requesting a buyback. Also a loaner ES350 I had had flare too and when I told the service consultant he indicated that it wasn't a surprise to them.
For those of you who don't know the transaxle assembly for the ES350 is the same as that for the Camry V6 (LE) and it is also known to have flare issues. Not sure but it may also be the same as used in the Toyota Avalon (I had a 99 Toyota Avalon Platinum Edition before buying the loaded 07 Lexus ES350 - silver with black leather interior).
For those of you who don't know the transaxle assembly for the ES350 is the same as that for the Camry V6 (LE) and it is also known to have flare issues. Not sure but it may also be the same as used in the Toyota Avalon (I had a 99 Toyota Avalon Platinum Edition before buying the loaded 07 Lexus ES350 - silver with black leather interior).
08-29-07, 08:41 PM
#32
Driver School Candidate
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Kchristian, which dealer did you go to in CA? I just moved to Bay area and may as well take my es350 to your dealer for dianogstic if they already have some success of treaking for no flaring.
My ES350 was purchased new 7/06 and the tranny was replaced due to flare in 4/07 with 9K miles on it. The flare was there from day one but because it only manifests itself during first drive of the day it didn't seem to be a big issue. I mentioned it during second service. The replacement tranny had the same issue and then they tweaked the TCM (after taking it back twice to have them confirm it was flaring again). Seems to be OK now except that the RPMs appear to be set higher (resulting in reduced mileage). Currently in the process of requesting a buyback. Also a loaner ES350 I had had flare too and when I told the service consultant he indicated that it wasn't a surprise to them.
For those of you who don't know the transaxle assembly for the ES350 is the same as that for the Camry V6 (LE) and it is also known to have flare issues. Not sure but it may also be the same as used in the Toyota Avalon (I had a 99 Toyota Avalon Platinum Edition before buying the loaded 07 Lexus ES350 - silver with black leather interior).
For those of you who don't know the transaxle assembly for the ES350 is the same as that for the Camry V6 (LE) and it is also known to have flare issues. Not sure but it may also be the same as used in the Toyota Avalon (I had a 99 Toyota Avalon Platinum Edition before buying the loaded 07 Lexus ES350 - silver with black leather interior).
09-11-07, 01:43 PM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Oh, and congratulations on your purchase!
09-15-07, 09:00 AM
#36
I have the typical 3 to 4 flare and I'm doing the same as you...just enjoying my flawless ride otherwise. But then again, I had minor tranny issues with my ES 300 that performed flawlessly for 10 years.So, until I hear real results I'm living with a 200 rpm flare that only happens when the moons align. I mean really! The tranny shifts perfectly for weeks on end and then all of a sudden it decides it wants to flare for a day...cold or hot. Makes no sense to me.
But nothing has changed in 16 months. Still enjoy getting behind the wheel every morning!
09-15-07, 10:24 AM
#37
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
MD, interesting that yours flares between 2 and 3. Sorry if we have discussed this before. I got tired of all the negativity here and haven't visited in quite some time. I have the typical 3 to 4 flare and I'm doing the same as you...just enjoying my flawless ride otherwise. But then again, I had minor tranny issues with my ES 300 that performed flawlessly for 10 years.
So, until I hear real results I'm living with a 200 rpm flare that only happens when the moons align. I mean really! The tranny shifts perfectly for weeks on end and then all of a sudden it decides it wants to flare for a day...cold or hot. Makes no sense to me.
But nothing has changed in 16 months. Still enjoy getting behind the wheel every morning!
I have the typical 3 to 4 flare and I'm doing the same as you...just enjoying my flawless ride otherwise. But then again, I had minor tranny issues with my ES 300 that performed flawlessly for 10 years.So, until I hear real results I'm living with a 200 rpm flare that only happens when the moons align. I mean really! The tranny shifts perfectly for weeks on end and then all of a sudden it decides it wants to flare for a day...cold or hot. Makes no sense to me.
But nothing has changed in 16 months. Still enjoy getting behind the wheel every morning!
I just washed the car this morning and it does look great. I really do love the car, but my expectations were a lot higher with my first Lexus.
I do have to say this, I drove the ES to Atlantic City for a 3 1/2 ride which I did non stop once. 32 mpg on the trip. Very impressed with the gas mileage.
Enjoy!
09-15-07, 07:05 PM
#38
Just washed mine too BTW.
09-16-07, 01:15 PM
#39
I was driving my ES350 and was thinking - is this really a transmission or an electronic appliance that shifts the car? If it is more of an electronic appliance, then we have an electric power surge and not a flare. Maybe I'm thinking too much about this....
10-03-07, 11:40 AM
#40
Pole Position
Join Date: Sep 2006
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A ES350 user from the past, lol. I see now there is a trans flush fix now. Ok I have often thought from the start when my ES350 07/06 flared once in the morning it could be a result of the “red line” synthetic trans fluid being a little to thick in the first drive off in the morning. In all the description of the flare it always happens in the first 10 minuets until the trans temp comes up. So maybe there is some merit to this fix, if they change the brand of fluid to something else. If they replace the fluid with same, then I have no idea why it would work unless there is a lot of crap in the trans from the factory to start with. What ever the reason for the flush I hope it works.
10-03-07, 01:10 PM
#41
Lexus Champion
A ES350 user from the past, lol. I see now there is a trans flush fix now. Ok I have often thought from the start when my ES350 07/06 flared once in the morning it could be a result of the “red line” synthetic trans fluid being a little to thick in the first drive off in the morning. In all the description of the flare it always happens in the first 10 minuets until the trans temp comes up. So maybe there is some merit to this fix, if they change the brand of fluid to something else. If they replace the fluid with same, then I have no idea why it would work unless there is a lot of crap in the trans from the factory to start with. What ever the reason for the flush I hope it works.
10-05-07, 12:00 AM
#42
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Back in 08/06 and forward there were several posts made by various tech type folks here trying to figure out the problems with the 660E trans. In those post bits of info were disclosed on the brand of fluid used by Lexus, as you know the trans fluid will go 100K miles in a sealed system. Others reported the fluid in some trans being replaced shown contamination in the fluid which gave the impression of poor assembly by the factory. The manufacture of the 660E change in September (I think) due to the tolerance problems in manufacturing. So a lot of changes have taken place in the 660E since 05/06, but from what I’m seeing now it has improved a lot. More people are reporting no problems with the trans which is a good sign the problems are getting fixed. So much info has been posted on this trans here and on other sites that after a while it gets hard to remember what site had what information. Over the year so many fixes have come a long that you wonder if there is a fix. Lol. But if the flush works for some I’m all for it. Remember the fill the trans with more fluid fix, did that work, for some it did for other it didn’t.
Last edited by osokuko; 10-05-07 at 12:08 AM.
10-06-07, 04:10 PM
#43
I plan to wait until Toyota has a real fix (i.e., a revised transmission) and then will pursue a buyback. My theory is that most of the U660-equipped cars have the flare problem, but not everyone drives in such a way to trigger the flare or notices it. My '07 ES350 was mfd July 2007, and had minor flares from the start. Now that it's hit 2500 miles (1.5 months old), it flares ~800+ rpm several times after started. I traded in a 9-month old 2007 Camry V6 XLE that had serious flare problems even after getting a new transmission (and that was damaged in numerous ways by the mechanics), so I'm really torqued that the Lexus version has the same problem a year later. Toyota refused to buy back the Camry and I'm feeling foolish for entrusting this manufacturer with another purchase...
10-07-07, 07:26 AM
#44
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I plan to wait until Toyota has a real fix (i.e., a revised transmission) and then will pursue a buyback. My theory is that most of the U660-equipped cars have the flare problem, but not everyone drives in such a way to trigger the flare or notices it. My '07 ES350 was mfd July 2007, and had minor flares from the start. Now that it's hit 2500 miles (1.5 months old), it flares ~800+ rpm several times after started. I traded in a 9-month old 2007 Camry V6 XLE that had serious flare problems even after getting a new transmission (and that was damaged in numerous ways by the mechanics), so I'm really torqued that the Lexus version has the same problem a year later. Toyota refused to buy back the Camry and I'm feeling foolish for entrusting this manufacturer with another purchase...