My wife called and said her ES350 couldn't start. I told her to wait 5 minutes and tried again. It still wouldn't start.

So I went there and tried to start the car. My first try did not work either. I noticed that the brake pedal couldn't be pressed down. It was quite stiff. So I pressed hard on the brake pedal and tried again. This time it started. It has been working fine since then.

Has anyone run into this problem too?

 

I notice my '11 has a stiff brake pedal also versus my old 2007. Wonder what is up with that.

 

A stiffer brake pedal is an improvement, IMO. One can better modulate the brake if the pedal feel is stiffer. I am glad to see Lexus did that for 2011 ES350.

But this is not the problem we ran into. When the engine couldn't start, the brake pedel couldn't be pressed down with normal force. I had to step on it to press it down and to start the engine. It felt like something blocked the brake pedal from being depressed.

 

OMG, that must have been the floor mat!!!

Just kidding.....

 

If anyone else has had this problem, please let me know. If I just take it to the dealer, the chance is that they cannot find the problem.....

 

If you don't take it to the dealer for this problem, I'd AT LEAST mention it when you're there for your next oil change. That way they have a record of the issue.

 

Long time ago, I had very similar issue to my 2010 ES350. It was caused by the steering wheel got locked. Tried rotate the steering wheel a bit to the right/left while pressing the start button. Hope that will help.

 

The stiff pedal is because there is no longer a vacuum in the brake system assisting it, so it feels very stiff. When the car starts, it'll be normal again. When you turn the car off, it should still have a couple pumps before it becomes stiff.

Try it for yourself. Turn the car off, step on the brake a few times, it'll turn stiff after a couple times. This is normal

 

So when the brake pedel is stiff, just step on it hard and press the start button? The brake pedal has to travel a few inches before the start button can function.

 

I have an 07 es350...The car cranked, but FAILED TO START...After taking my foot off the brake, the dash lights started to flash...I then depressed the brake pedal again, pressed the start button and the car started without a problem....No flashing lights after the car started.....WHAT IS THE CAR TELLING ME...Also, is this addressed in the owners manual...If so, where..Thanks

 

which icon was flashing?

 

all were flashing.........the entire dash cluster........any thoughts..thanks

 

for my 08, the pedal does not have to go down a few inches for it to start. When i have a stiff pedal from the lack of vacuum. I just press on it, it barely moves like a quarter of an inch... and the green light would come on for the push start.

Im not sure if yours is the same issue here

 

Yes, the identical problem. Press on the brake pedal hard and push the start button. The brake pedal will return to a normal state and the engine will start. Very simple computer fix.

 

Our 2012 Is currently having these symptoms l, we replaced the starter, but plan on keeping the car so I'm writing it off as a pre-emptive replacement (that didn't solve the issue)

so now we're chasing gremlins...

Tinight I will fiddle with that brake pedal, and mechanic said to check if the brake lights come on as an indication..

You mentioned easy computer fix, do you mean the issue might be there? Was also thinking maybe a brake pedal sensor replacement.

I'm open to all suggestions.