View Poll Results: Multiple Choice: What problems do you have with your 2007 ES350?
Transmission shift flaring
82
27.33%
Cold engine start noise
72
24.00%
Wind noise
71
23.67%
Interior rattles
77
25.67%
Voice Recognition for climate control
41
13.67%
I have none of the problems listed above
97
32.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 300. You may not vote on this poll
What problem do you have with your 2007 ES350?
Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 17
From: Arizona
"If only the flare would be so severe that it would miss a shift and over rev the engine, causing it to seize."
But it does NOT miss a shift and the engine continues to perform powerfully and quietly.
My personal opinion is that the "flare" is a non-issue with the majority of ES350 owners. They do not want a performance car. In fact, as many posters have commented, very few ES owners even know what a flare is and overlook it when it happens.
During WWII, the movies were old, the popcorn was cold and twenty-three year olds flyers only got to the rank of Major.
Now those were problems. The Lexus "flare" matter does not rise to the same level.
But it does NOT miss a shift and the engine continues to perform powerfully and quietly.
My personal opinion is that the "flare" is a non-issue with the majority of ES350 owners. They do not want a performance car. In fact, as many posters have commented, very few ES owners even know what a flare is and overlook it when it happens.
During WWII, the movies were old, the popcorn was cold and twenty-three year olds flyers only got to the rank of Major.
Now those were problems. The Lexus "flare" matter does not rise to the same level.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
"If only the flare would be so severe that it would miss a shift and over rev the engine, causing it to seize."
But it does NOT miss a shift and the engine continues to perform powerfully and quietly.
My personal opinion is that the "flare" is a non-issue with the majority of ES350 owners. They do not want a performance car. In fact, as many posters have commented, very few ES owners even know what a flare is and overlook it when it happens.
During WWII, the movies were old, the popcorn was cold and twenty-three year olds flyers only got to the rank of Major.
Now those were problems. The Lexus "flare" matter does not rise to the same level.
But it does NOT miss a shift and the engine continues to perform powerfully and quietly.
My personal opinion is that the "flare" is a non-issue with the majority of ES350 owners. They do not want a performance car. In fact, as many posters have commented, very few ES owners even know what a flare is and overlook it when it happens.
During WWII, the movies were old, the popcorn was cold and twenty-three year olds flyers only got to the rank of Major.
Now those were problems. The Lexus "flare" matter does not rise to the same level.
It does miss a shift, if it did not as you claim there would not be the SEVERE RPM spike which can be 2k plus with jerking/surging. Watch the video ons did and posted a thread on here about and you will see the tach spike followed by a rapid drop as it finally fully grabs the appropriate gear.
I had 2 of them, believe me it slips/misses a shift, gear shift 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 for me in my 2 vehicle experiences.
If those flyers you mentioned had their prop rotation interrupted like this they might not have made it to 23 never mind Major in rank
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,524
Likes: 265
From: Illinois
I didn't bring it up cuz I was shocked it happened so often. Plus, I had no idea where he took me on the test drive so I was concentrating on the road as well as the car.
It was an 08. I was debating whether I could live with the tranny flare if it only happened on the first 3 -4th shift like in that video you showed me. I figured once in a drive might not be too bad. But, after this test drive, seeing it happen all over the place (I couldn't figure out a pattern), I'm not so sure.
I was planning on e-mailing a bunch of dealers and then buying from the one that gave me the best price. Now, I'm not so sure about that strategy as I may have to test drive the car before I buy it. Means dealing with a sales person. Argh.
Yeah, I need to test drive more cars, but the problem may be worse than reported. The car is so smooth and quiet, if you don't have one eye stuck on the tach and anticipating when the car will shift, you'll totally miss it. I didn't feel the car surge or anything. Any prototypical Lexus driver is almost certainly going to miss it. Most aren't **** car fans who visit message boards like this.
I did find the heated/cooled seats to be quite comfy. Saw a ton of complaints about the seats but I'm not sure why. Seem fine to me. I haven't sat in the regular seats for a decent amount of time, but the difference in the quality of leather makes me not want to.
It was an 08. I was debating whether I could live with the tranny flare if it only happened on the first 3 -4th shift like in that video you showed me. I figured once in a drive might not be too bad. But, after this test drive, seeing it happen all over the place (I couldn't figure out a pattern), I'm not so sure.
I was planning on e-mailing a bunch of dealers and then buying from the one that gave me the best price. Now, I'm not so sure about that strategy as I may have to test drive the car before I buy it. Means dealing with a sales person. Argh.
Yeah, I need to test drive more cars, but the problem may be worse than reported. The car is so smooth and quiet, if you don't have one eye stuck on the tach and anticipating when the car will shift, you'll totally miss it. I didn't feel the car surge or anything. Any prototypical Lexus driver is almost certainly going to miss it. Most aren't **** car fans who visit message boards like this.
I did find the heated/cooled seats to be quite comfy. Saw a ton of complaints about the seats but I'm not sure why. Seem fine to me. I haven't sat in the regular seats for a decent amount of time, but the difference in the quality of leather makes me not want to.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: CA
hmmm.. i see a lot of stories about this transmission flare up.. but i have yet to experience it. But im not sure under what driving conditions it occurs. I mean I don't step on the gas anymore, how can you with this car? Why would you want to? haha. I dunno, I just ease out of the driveway and coast down the street, Its almost like Im not even pressing the gas. This car wasnt meant to go fast. But it could be just my car, or the way I drive personally. But if you guys are saying you get the flare, then there must be a problem, I guess I'll just keep driving the way I do.. its been working so far.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 1
From: MD
"If only the flare would be so severe that it would miss a shift and over rev the engine, causing it to seize."
But it does NOT miss a shift and the engine continues to perform powerfully and quietly.
My personal opinion is that the "flare" is a non-issue with the majority of ES350 owners. They do not want a performance car. In fact, as many posters have commented, very few ES owners even know what a flare is and overlook it when it happens.
During WWII, the movies were old, the popcorn was cold and twenty-three year olds flyers only got to the rank of Major.
Now those were problems. The Lexus "flare" matter does not rise to the same level.
But it does NOT miss a shift and the engine continues to perform powerfully and quietly.
My personal opinion is that the "flare" is a non-issue with the majority of ES350 owners. They do not want a performance car. In fact, as many posters have commented, very few ES owners even know what a flare is and overlook it when it happens.
During WWII, the movies were old, the popcorn was cold and twenty-three year olds flyers only got to the rank of Major.
Now those were problems. The Lexus "flare" matter does not rise to the same level.
There is a reason why Consumer Reports dropped the V6 Camry from their recommended list, and the ES350 fell to just average. Numerous buybacks, numerous transmission replacements, numerous TSIBs issued...it is a widespread issue, but many don't notice it due to their driving habbits.
The only reason why I considered the ES was because of the new 3.5L with 270 horses. If this car was not made to be driven, might as well keep the 3.3L in it, or yet throw in the 1.8L 4 cylinder engine with a 4 speed automatic. No one would notice the difference.
For $40K+ car from Lexus, I DEMAND perfection! If I wanted issues, I'd buy another make and model. My wife still laughs at me because her Honda Pilot with 12K miles has not a single warranty claim on it and runs perfect! Can't wait to see what the 09 TL looks like, I will be in the market!
Rominl Stalker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: CA
Yeah, I'm in sort of a tough spot. I'm looking heavily at Lexus because of having two Toyota mechanics in the family. Basically, I can get free service. Plus, it's my wife's car. Stuff I notice she probably won't. I have to judge how much of these problems she'd actually notice and how much do I think will lead to mechanical failure/problems in the future.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,524
Likes: 265
From: Illinois
Yeah, I'm in sort of a tough spot. I'm looking heavily at Lexus because of having two Toyota mechanics in the family. Basically, I can get free service. Plus, it's my wife's car. Stuff I notice she probably won't. I have to judge how much of these problems she'd actually notice and how much do I think will lead to mechanical failure/problems in the future.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: New York
Transmission Flair.
Well, I waited out the 2007 model year hoping the flair problem would be fixed and in this past October sprung for an ES350. Everything was fine until Thanksgiving day when I returned to the expressway after stopping for coffee. Getting back onto the interstate while on the entrance ramp and goosing it just a little bit, darned if the tach didn't shoot way up. To complete the trip I had to go through 3 more toll booths and the same thing happened at all three. Two days later I came home the same way and not a single flair. Now, with normal everyday driving I am getting the flair, and from what I can tell, it is from 2nd to third and it's not happening during warm up but after the car is up to temperature. It is also intermittent so I'm sure it would not do it for the service rep.
Well, at least I don't have the cold engine noise ---- yet.
Well, at least I don't have the cold engine noise ---- yet.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 1
From: MD
Yeah, I'm in sort of a tough spot. I'm looking heavily at Lexus because of having two Toyota mechanics in the family. Basically, I can get free service. Plus, it's my wife's car. Stuff I notice she probably won't. I have to judge how much of these problems she'd actually notice and how much do I think will lead to mechanical failure/problems in the future.
Just one warning, my wife knows nothing about cars. However, she has been a passenger in my car several times and has commented about the engine knock and asked what is wrong with my car. So, have your wife listen for herself before your purchase!
Rominl Stalker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: CA
My wife was with me on the test drive. She didn't notice a thing. My mom has a Sienna. I think it's an 07. One bro-in-law has a Sienna too. Also an 07 I believe. I don't hear engine knock on their cars.
The ES350 I test drove didn't have an engine that sounded that bad. It was pretty cold too that day. Another one that I had started for me (but didn't test drive) had that engine knock. Badly. It was loud. Wife noticed. Wasn't even that cold (SoCal weather). I really think you gotta test drive each car to see its characteristics.
The ES350 I test drove didn't have an engine that sounded that bad. It was pretty cold too that day. Another one that I had started for me (but didn't test drive) had that engine knock. Badly. It was loud. Wife noticed. Wasn't even that cold (SoCal weather). I really think you gotta test drive each car to see its characteristics.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Well, I waited out the 2007 model year hoping the flair problem would be fixed and in this past October sprung for an ES350. Everything was fine until Thanksgiving day when I returned to the expressway after stopping for coffee. Getting back onto the interstate while on the entrance ramp and goosing it just a little bit, darned if the tach didn't shoot way up. To complete the trip I had to go through 3 more toll booths and the same thing happened at all three. Two days later I came home the same way and not a single flair. Now, with normal everyday driving I am getting the flair, and from what I can tell, it is from 2nd to third and it's not happening during warm up but after the car is up to temperature. It is also intermittent so I'm sure it would not do it for the service rep.
Well, at least I don't have the cold engine noise ---- yet.
Well, at least I don't have the cold engine noise ---- yet.
Posts like your's and those of a few others with newer one's make me wonder at what point selling these goes beyond bad business ethics and actually square into actionable consumer fraud.
As for the engine knocking, if you are beyond 1,000 miles seems very unlikely you will experience it, though we did have one report of that starting with quite a few miles on the car.
codex,
Simply listening to a car started for you will not alert you to engine knocking, noisy idle yes, but to check for cold engine knocking the car has to be cold...3 to 4 hours turned off...put in gear started and driven right away.
Also you cannot count on being able to rule out transmission slipping...aka Flare... from a single test drive or even multiple for that matter.
Rominl Stalker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: CA
Can you more fully describe the cold engine knock? I'm not quite sure I get what it is and what potential problems it could lead to.
As for the tranny flare, I'd just hope to not have one that's totally obvious. After all, I saw it happen multiple times on a test drive. While I'd like not to have it, I don't think it's really noticeable (least on that car) if you're not actively looking for it. I didn't feel the tranny slip b/c the car's drivetrain feels like mush normally.
As for the tranny flare, I'd just hope to not have one that's totally obvious. After all, I saw it happen multiple times on a test drive. While I'd like not to have it, I don't think it's really noticeable (least on that car) if you're not actively looking for it. I didn't feel the tranny slip b/c the car's drivetrain feels like mush normally.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 1
From: MD
Can you more fully describe the cold engine knock? I'm not quite sure I get what it is and what potential problems it could lead to.
As for the tranny flare, I'd just hope to not have one that's totally obvious. After all, I saw it happen multiple times on a test drive. While I'd like not to have it, I don't think it's really noticeable (least on that car) if you're not actively looking for it. I didn't feel the tranny slip b/c the car's drivetrain feels like mush normally.
As for the tranny flare, I'd just hope to not have one that's totally obvious. After all, I saw it happen multiple times on a test drive. While I'd like not to have it, I don't think it's really noticeable (least on that car) if you're not actively looking for it. I didn't feel the tranny slip b/c the car's drivetrain feels like mush normally.
It sounds like a diesel. Very loud clunking. Many on this forum back a year ago joked and called their car an ES350D for diesel. I call mine an ES 350 TDI.
So, if you hear something while parked, that ain't it. You must be driving and pushing the gas pedal slightly, driving around 10-20 miles per hour. I hear it all the time as I stop and go and make turns getting out of my neighborhood each morning.
Same rules apply for the Sienna and Rav 4 that I drove.
Last edited by MD350; Dec 12, 2007 at 07:37 PM.