View Poll Results: Please indicate your ES350 transmission problem, concern by build month
Transmission Shift Flare Requiring Service
14
27.45%
Transmission seems erratic at times with a shift flare now and then, will observe for now
13
25.49%
02/06 Build
1
1.96%
03/06 Build
1
1.96%
04/06 Build
4
7.84%
05/06 Build
6
11.76%
06/06 Build
4
7.84%
07/06 Build
5
9.80%
08/06 Build
9
17.65%
09/06 Build
8
15.69%
10/06 Build
3
5.88%
11/06 Build
4
7.84%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll
Transmission Problem By Build Date
Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: AR
I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. I really, really wanted an ES 350 but reports of the transmission problem were very worrisome. The service manager at the dealership where I bought my car also claimed that they had only seem the transmission problem in one or two cars. In the end, I took the chance and bought my ES 350 UL (a 10/06 build) right after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time to drive it yet but with ~375 miles on the odometer, I haven't experienced the trans flare yet. I do, however, have the diesel engine noise (which mostly goes away after the engine is warm), a few creaks and rattles and finally, some wind noise. I just got my new owner survey in the mail so I'm going to take the car into the dealership to see if they can address any of these things before I fill out the survey.
Like you, I'd read the posts about all of these "issues" and I tried my best to look for them before I took delivery of the car. I don't know if they were there all along and my desire for the car just drowned them out or I just didn't start to notice them until I had driven the car several times. Anyway, good luck with your purchase! Let us know how it turns out.
Like you, I'd read the posts about all of these "issues" and I tried my best to look for them before I took delivery of the car. I don't know if they were there all along and my desire for the car just drowned them out or I just didn't start to notice them until I had driven the car several times. Anyway, good luck with your purchase! Let us know how it turns out.
I hope they get your issues straightened out, and obviously, I hope I don't experience many
.Coming from Subarus, this ES is a huge step up in most categories. We had a 2 hour drive back from the dealer and my wife just loves her new car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 6
From: PA
There are now nine ES350 cars for sale on ebay motors. Six from the same dealer, some are buybacks from Lexus with replacement transmissions and two are buybacks for sale because of "pacemaker concerns not working with the smart acess system". I would venture these two might also be transmission issues.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 6
From: PA
Found another ES350 transmission buyback for sale. Go to www.ebaymotors.com, search for Lexus ES350 and Lexus ES 350 in vehicle section and there will be 11 ES350s for sale, the majority are buybacks with new transmissions.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: AR
Found another ES350 transmission buyback for sale. Go to www.ebaymotors.com, search for Lexus ES350 and Lexus ES 350 in vehicle section and there will be 11 ES350s for sale, the majority are buybacks with new transmissions.
11 cars on Ebay, when they sell 6000 a month doesn't seem very high.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
From: NYC/ATL
garsarno
how do you know they are transmission problems I counted 16 on ebay maybe Im off or some are double posted, but I've always noticed that after a new car is released by the time it has been selling for over 6 months to a year and the ES350 has been out for 10 months they usually flood the used car market
how do you know they are transmission problems I counted 16 on ebay maybe Im off or some are double posted, but I've always noticed that after a new car is released by the time it has been selling for over 6 months to a year and the ES350 has been out for 10 months they usually flood the used car market
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: ca
Interesting that if they are buying back cars with problems, and there are only 11 for sale, what does that mean? Either they have stopped buying them back. People don't know that it is an option and aren't pushing for it. Or, the problem (at least bad enough for a buyback) is not very great.
11 cars on Ebay, when they sell 6000 a month doesn't seem very high.
11 cars on Ebay, when they sell 6000 a month doesn't seem very high.
Last edited by 2007es350; Dec 30, 2006 at 10:20 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: ca
garsarno
how do you know they are transmission problems I counted 16 on ebay maybe Im off or some are double posted, but I've always noticed that after a new car is released by the time it has been selling for over 6 months to a year and the ES350 has been out for 10 months they usually flood the used car market
how do you know they are transmission problems I counted 16 on ebay maybe Im off or some are double posted, but I've always noticed that after a new car is released by the time it has been selling for over 6 months to a year and the ES350 has been out for 10 months they usually flood the used car market
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus...QQcmdZViewItem
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 757
Likes: 4
From: WA
The 2nd-3rd slip when HOT is another classic sign of a bad trans. My first had this and now my second trans has been doing it as well. It actually did it tonight strangely enough, though its impossible to repeat as it just seems to happen randomly. I did find with my first trans that this gets worse over time.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: MO
I think a buyback is becoming more difficult to get. In my case when I talked to the GM of the dealership he hinted extreme pressure is required to corporate for them to take that action. For me my only real complaint was the flair issue, and they subsequently ordered a new tranny again for the car. Meanwhile The GM offered me a new GS AWD at invoice, (I opted for the NAV Pkg as well) and charged me 25 cents a mile for the miles I put on my ES. I thought that was a very good deal ( as it turned out @ $1800 from what I paid for the car).
So within 2 weeks I should get my new GS, Glacier Frost with Back interior and I am tickled pink.
I will miss my ES, there were so may thinks I liked about it but I just could not love it completely. Time for me to get closer to my sports car roots.
So within 2 weeks I should get my new GS, Glacier Frost with Back interior and I am tickled pink.
I will miss my ES, there were so may thinks I liked about it but I just could not love it completely. Time for me to get closer to my sports car roots.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
That is a unique way to solve the trans issue once and for all, I'm certain you are going to be one happy camper in touch with your more sporty roots.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 2
From: nj
PDG, very happy for you!!! You will not be disappointed 
Any question or hacks you are looking for GS, will be happy to help you 
Interesting how you went from one unique color (Aquamarine) to another (Glacier Frost). How did it workout with taxes, are you pay tax on difference between two cars? So, if I understand correctly they are giving you money back for ES350 minus that $1,800 mile fee?
Even so I moved on with my ES and happy with GS now, I still love visiting ES forum and contributing in here. Otherwise they will be short on extra whiners
Any question or hacks you are looking for GS, will be happy to help you Interesting how you went from one unique color (Aquamarine) to another (Glacier Frost). How did it workout with taxes, are you pay tax on difference between two cars? So, if I understand correctly they are giving you money back for ES350 minus that $1,800 mile fee?Even so I moved on with my ES and happy with GS now, I still love visiting ES forum and contributing in here. Otherwise they will be short on extra whiners
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: MO
PDG, very happy for you!!! You will not be disappointed Any question or hacks you are looking for GS, will be happy to help you Interesting how you went from one unique color (Aquamarine) to another (Glacier Frost). How did it workout with taxes, are you pay tax on difference between two cars? So, if I understand correctly they are giving you money back for ES350 minus that $1,800 mile fee?
Even so I moved on with my ES and happy with GS now, I still love visiting ES forum and contributing in here. Otherwise they will be short on extra whiners
Any question or hacks you are looking for GS, will be happy to help you Interesting how you went from one unique color (Aquamarine) to another (Glacier Frost). How did it workout with taxes, are you pay tax on difference between two cars? So, if I understand correctly they are giving you money back for ES350 minus that $1,800 mile fee?Even so I moved on with my ES and happy with GS now, I still love visiting ES forum and contributing in here. Otherwise they will be short on extra whiners
And yes I need to pay taxes on the difference between the 2 cars. My ES out the door price minus $1800.
No doubt I will be doing mods on this new beast. The HIR Hi beams being one of the first. Some chrome rims soon after that.
This is a great forum and I have always appreciated all the well wishers.
I will also be checking back to the ES pages!
Happy New Year to all!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 6
From: PA
In the description of the ES350s, there are disclosures on the cars. Not many other cars on e-bay with disclosures about transmissions being replaced and buybackc. My new transmission shifting great now / love the car. If this new transmission acts up, all bets are off.....