Hi everyone, i have a 2013 es350 with ~24k miles. Their is an annoying vibration when the A/C is turned on when the car is stopped. The car has a very minor slight vibration at all times that gets a little worse when in 'D' gear at idle. However once the A/C is turned on i can feel the wheel, seats and center console vibrate, especially while in the 'D' gear. To elaborate i can feel it around the car and easily notice the vibration. As soon as i turn the A/C off the vibration goes away and is back to normal. I understand that the A/C puts a strain on the car, but was curious to see if anyone had any thoughts about this issue. Thanks.

 

My 2015 ES350 has that slight vibration form the AC and my 2006 GS had it also. Mostly normal but would rather it not happen. Of course my ES300h does not do that since it has an electric compressor.

 

Hard to compare with just a description, but I also detect a slight vibration when the a/c is engaged in my 2013. I also own a 2014 Honda Accord and it is even worse in that car. My recollection is that every car I've owned with a/c has had vibration when the air is turned on. Some very slight and some more noticeable.

 

Our 2013 was really bad new. The dealer did try and fix the issue. After replacing one of the motor mounts it improved it to where it is acceptable most of the time. Ours was bad even without the A/C on. We drove several ES350 loaners and they all varied in vibration. Some were as bad as ours, some were barely noticable. We showed them the one loaner that was pretty good and they used that as a reference.

If it bothers you, I would push the dealer to try and at least make it better.

 

I have a 2014 ES300h. One of the advantages of a hybrid is that it has an electric air-conditioning compressor. The electric compressor produces no discernible vibration, at all, and it does not require that the main gas motor run simultaneously. When stopped, the largest vibration is usually from the truck that is also stopped ten feet away.

 

My '13 vibrates in drive when stopped but the AC does not add anything to it. Mine is more like a humming sound in the cabin not really a vibration. Dealer says it's normal but I did not have this problem on my '08.

 

Toyota and Lexus use timing chains instead of timing belts like Honda/Acura. I've noticed engines with timing chains usually have more vibration in general due to the nature of the timing "chain." I asked the local Lexus mechanic and he also mentioned this.

 

Thanks for all your reply's, I managed to confirm it was normal by comparing it to another es350. I also compared it to a es300h and the 300h did not have the issue. Its good to know the car is working as normal. Thanks for the advice/input!

 

With the ES350 engine being so smooth, I'd expect there to be little vibration when the AC kicks in. The compressor is driven off an accessory belt from the engine so the increased rpm could set off a slight resonance. Any idea what rpm it occurs at?

On the hybrid, you get the opposite problem: the AC compressor is electrically driven so there's no vibration but the engine rumbles and rattles a bit

 

Shifting to neutral should help. I do this when waiting in the drive thru line or at reqlly long lights.