Hello all! As a new Lexus owner (1 month, 500 miles on it), I discovered something that concerns me, and did not find anything on this forum discussing this exact problem. I know about the 3/4 gear flare problem, and I do not believe I have it, however, I do have another problem. When I slow down to a stoplight (slow, not slamming on the brakes), the car downshifts properly, until it gets to first gear...it feels like when it tries to go from 2nd to first, it loses its brains, and can't decide what to do. The tach goes from 800 RPM, up to 1200 RPM and then back down to 800 RPM, then finally rests at idle 600RPM. During this time, the car lurches (noticably). Does anyone have any suggestions? I have not gone to the dealership yet, as I do not want to feel like a complainer as this is my first Lexus (previous Buick owner), and do not know if this is normal. FYI, great forum, I've learned alot! I have the ES350 Premium pkg, and it's been fine so far.

 

I would take it to your dealer, it can be anyone's guess. But it sounds like you may be a candidate for the updated computer flash TSIB.

 

I have the same issue. Took it to two different dealerships in first 1000 miles. They kept the vehicle for about 8 days (2 +6). However, they could not fix it and eventually said its normal. I drove two loaner es's as well and they do the same thing. Complained it to Lexus and was able to get complinentary 7 yrs /100,000 platinum extended warranty.

 

It is not normal.

 

Okay...so it appears I'm not the only one whose ES has exhibited that weird anomaly.

 

Thanks, I have made an appointment with the dealer for service on Thursday, although, from first impressions, the person answering the phone and made the appt, sounded like they didn't believe me. We'll see. I did find something out though. I filled up with 87 Octane yesterday, instead of premium, and lo and behold, the downshift movement and lurching of car as I slowed down, almost is not noticable. Went from 800 rpm, to 1000 rpm then back down to 600rpm very quickly. Strange.

 

I bought my ES 350 on May 18th, 2007, when slowing down by lightly pressing on the brake pedal, the car speeds up (lurches forward) when changing gears (down shifting) in the automatic mode. The tack jumps up 200-400. This requires increasing the pressure on the brake pedal, to slow down or stop the car. This occurs just above 20 mph. Some of the other gears are also not very smooth on downshifting. I have taken it to the dealers, and I drove with the mechanic. He understands what I describe, but says the transmissions vary, depending on how you drive the car. I drive very normally, with steady pressure on the gas pedal, and without any jerky motions. He is going to report it to quality engineering in California. Hope you guys report this problem through your dealer, so that it gets some attention. Possibly fixing the other transmission problems through software programing created this new software bug.

 

I have an appointment tomorrow, to replace the transmission on mine (now at 910 miles). We'll see what happens after that. They flashed the chip last week, to no avail, no improvement what-so-ever, so now we'll try a new transmission.

 

Please keep us informed. I wish I had confidence it would work.

 

They replaced transmission/transaxle, including a new chip (already flashed). Transmission problem is gone. It has a slight (very) RPM movement downshifting from 2nd to 1st (200 RPM), but that I can live with. It was the wild thrashing that caused me concern. To everyone that has a transmission problem, ask to replace ALL components together. My service manager was adamant, that without every component all at once, you will probably end up with the same problem. I'm satisfied.