The official explanation I got from a Lexus rep when I was arbitrating to get my 07 bought back for this and other issues: "It is piston slap and it is normal". When I mentioned that 10 loaners I'd driven lacked the clattering, they claimed that the 10 model doesn't make the noise due to additional sound proofing on the engine. However, I confirmed this to be untrue by getting a 10 loaner that same day and pilling the plastic panels off the engine / engine compartment - everything was identical to my 07 in terms of sound proofing. Bottom line: Lexus knows many of the early Es350s have loud piston slap, is trying to pass it off as normal, and has made a production change to correct the problem in later revisions of the ES350. I'm not impressed with this misleading of loyal customers, and my respect for Toyota/Lexus as a company has dropped a bit as a result.

My car had really loud piston slap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN0VA5L1b1w

 

That's what I said / thought after living with a '07 RX350 for two weeks (transmission replacement in 12/06). Same engine but no noise.

 

I guess we are learning the maybe Lexus isn't the greatest company in the world after all. Seems that they would rather cover-up than own-up. If there is something wrong we'll fix the new ones, when we build them, but not the ones we have already unloaded to their loyal customers. Piston slap, oil filter line and who knows whatelse. I'm surprised they had a recall on the pedals and floor mats. Must have really pissed them off.

 

I am sorry to hear that so many of you early owners are having this type of issue. That said, all manufacturers are pretty much the same in areas like this. Which is why I never buy early in the model production cycle. By the 3rd or 4th year of production, most issues have been sorted out, plus the buyer generally gets more for the buck.

 

Wow, that sounds terrible. If the dealer wont do anything, you need to get the regional folks involved. Let them know your posting sound bites on the web. Good Luck

Lou

 

Lexus Corporate and the arbitration panel were aware - I included a CD containing the videos plus a nice letter with the YouTube URLs when I requested a buyback. The Lexus corporate lackey had the nerve to subsequently tell me to my face at the arbitration hearing that the noise audible in the video (and during the test drive of my car) were normal. Ditto for the transmission torque converter defect (documented in a Lexus TSB that I provided them a copy of) that I reproduced several times on the test drive under the exact speed conditions in the TSB - "it is normal" according to Lexus. (The TSB, which specified applicability to cars including mine made before a corrective production change, specified torque converter replacement.) I was steamed, and got rid of the car. Oddly, my replacement (HS250h) lacks the "normal" piston slap. I should take it to the dealer and complain that it's defective since it doesn't clatter just for the fun of it

 

I like that idea! Return to the dealer and say the engine is too quiet. Used to be able to hear it run (piston slap). Ask for the car to be modified so you can hear it.

 

Definitely no longer operating as designed. Must be taken back.