I tested an 02/06 Build today!
 

I visited my dealer today to talk about steering\engine noise\engine vibration\trans\wind noise issues. Afterwards I decided to try what I thought would be a later build car on the lot, so I could compare my car to a new build car. They gave me an UL which was the sales demo, so I headed out in that.

The good - Steering was smoother and seemed easier to turn. Engine not as much cold clacking noise. Trans had no whine, and didn't slip into 3rd (only 400kms on it though).

The bad - Wind noise was worse. At a stop, the whole centre console was vibrating heavily, as were the floor, doors and seats somewhat. Trans was behaving similar to mine - ie, badly. A few apparent rattles.

When I got back to the dealer I looked at the build plate on the door - 02/06. Wow - I didn't even know they had any builds from Feb, I thought the earliest was 03/06. My vehicle is 04/06.

I've got to tell you I pity the person who buys that car. It's an early build and its got most of the probs shown on the current poll. I'm guessing that Nav unit probably needs to be swapped as well for the VR TSIB too.

The moral of my story: Check your builds is you're buying this car. I was expecting to test a newly built car which would have the initial bugs ironed out to compare to what I have issue with today. Instead of an 08/06 build (which I'd expect we're at now) it was on 02/06!

Mine is a June build date and for all intents and purposes the description you gave of the 02/06 build date could have been made about mine.

I stopped complaining about the vibration in steering wheel, arm rests, floorboards etc. as example. But you described my car to a T.

The only thing you seem not to have done was put those wipers on high to check the "rockability" factor...LOL..sneak back over there and give that a go...just kidding.

BTW wanderer, my transmission behaves exactly like yours did until your's became even more consistant, no means to force it to perform it's slipping, it just does it when it darn well feels like it, I now have just over 1,000 miles.

Even though I had tape recordings of it slipping the Lexus FTS refused to listen to them and instead insisted my transmission was just "learning". It is a slow learner for sure then.

Hi Bob I have a 0406 build and only problem so far is Nav unit does not recongnize climate control. I have 1900 miles and everytime I drive. I listen and feel for other problems. I think I may have nav unit replaced or at least looked at.
Ruby/Black PP+

I have a 4/06 build date car, purchased in mid-May with low miles, and so far no problems at all. We're taking a two week driving vacation next week, and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and my ears on alert for any of the noises/problems mentioned in the forum.
SMG/Gray

My car has a build date of 3/06 and purchased the beginning of April, and so far NO problems at all. As they say, "It's the luck of the draw".
It's a very rare occasion that Lexus will make upgraded changes during the course of a new model year.....even though there are Technical Service Bulletins issued. Case in point: My '03 ES had a rattle coming from the rear doors. I brought it to my dealer, who was aware of this problem. There was a TSB issued. They had to remove the rear door paneling on both doors to make this warranty repair. This problem started from the '02ES and went clear up to the '06ES!!! So as you can see, they're not in any hurry to correct problems on the assembly line. It doesn't matter what build you have. :sad:

How many miles were on the demo with the build date of 2/06? It is probably the dealer's demo and has been torn up with everyone driving it and driving it hard. Think of it as a rental car, no one drives it like they drive their own personal car.

amf1932 - you know you lucked out on the ES350 after your previous gen ES problems. And as I've said before, you deserve to as well! I'm actually glad that your car is doing so well, as it shows that these issues shouldn't really exist.

The car had approx 400kms. It was a fairly new car at the dealership. That is why I was surprised it was an early build as I was expecting current\new stock to be much later builds.

It's the 4th ES350 I've driven now actually. One is mine, the other 3 were demos.

I had mine replaced. It's warrantied and a straightforward process that totally fixes the problem. So I recommend you have them fix it.