Does your ES have a lot of steering wheel vibration at idle?
09-19-17, 07:57 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Does your ES have a lot of steering wheel vibration at idle?
My 2014 ES350 almost feels like a diesel at stoplights through the steering wheel
I test drove a few ES of this generation, and noticed it on another model I test drove. Coming from an LS, I knew it wasn't going to be as good at isolating vibrations and noise. My LS felt like the car was turned off when you were stopped at a light.
But I'm really shocked Lexus would let their ES come out with that much vibration through the steering wheel. It feels like a cheap economy car. Otherwise the car is silky smooth, as soon as I leave the stoplight, the steering wheel vibration goes away.
I've noticed other people online complain about it, and I can't imagine a motor mount going out at like 40k miles.
Just wanted to take a survey, do other owners feels a decent amount of vibration through their steering wheel when stopped at a light in "drive"? Is this just how they are?
I test drove a few ES of this generation, and noticed it on another model I test drove. Coming from an LS, I knew it wasn't going to be as good at isolating vibrations and noise. My LS felt like the car was turned off when you were stopped at a light.
But I'm really shocked Lexus would let their ES come out with that much vibration through the steering wheel. It feels like a cheap economy car. Otherwise the car is silky smooth, as soon as I leave the stoplight, the steering wheel vibration goes away.
I've noticed other people online complain about it, and I can't imagine a motor mount going out at like 40k miles.
Just wanted to take a survey, do other owners feels a decent amount of vibration through their steering wheel when stopped at a light in "drive"? Is this just how they are?
09-19-17, 10:26 AM
#2
My 2014 ES350 almost feels like a diesel at stoplights through the steering wheel
I test drove a few ES of this generation, and noticed it on another model I test drove. Coming from an LS, I knew it wasn't going to be as good at isolating vibrations and noise. My LS felt like the car was turned off when you were stopped at a light.
But I'm really shocked Lexus would let their ES come out with that much vibration through the steering wheel. It feels like a cheap economy car. Otherwise the car is silky smooth, as soon as I leave the stoplight, the steering wheel vibration goes away.
I've noticed other people online complain about it, and I can't imagine a motor mount going out at like 40k miles.
Just wanted to take a survey, do other owners feels a decent amount of vibration through their steering wheel when stopped at a light in "drive"? Is this just how they are?
I test drove a few ES of this generation, and noticed it on another model I test drove. Coming from an LS, I knew it wasn't going to be as good at isolating vibrations and noise. My LS felt like the car was turned off when you were stopped at a light.
But I'm really shocked Lexus would let their ES come out with that much vibration through the steering wheel. It feels like a cheap economy car. Otherwise the car is silky smooth, as soon as I leave the stoplight, the steering wheel vibration goes away.
I've noticed other people online complain about it, and I can't imagine a motor mount going out at like 40k miles.
Just wanted to take a survey, do other owners feels a decent amount of vibration through their steering wheel when stopped at a light in "drive"? Is this just how they are?
09-19-17, 10:38 AM
#3
Lead Lap
09-19-17, 10:42 AM
#4
Lead Lap
I've now owned 2 ES350s, a 2013 that I had for 3 1/2 years and a 2017 that I've now owned for almost a year.
When I read a similar thread at some point in the past and when I had the 2013 ES, I made a point of paying close attention to what was happening at idle to make sure that there wasn't vibration that I wasn't noticing. And I saw that there was no vibration whatever.
This morning after reading this thread, I was out with the 2017 ES, and, again, I paid particular attention to what was happening at idle. Both with the AC on and with the AC off, there was absolutely no vibration in the steering wheel, shifter, or any other location inside the car. I would describe the situation much like the OP described his LS. While idling there would have been no noticeable difference, with regard to vibration, between when the engine was idling and when it was turned off.
When I read a similar thread at some point in the past and when I had the 2013 ES, I made a point of paying close attention to what was happening at idle to make sure that there wasn't vibration that I wasn't noticing. And I saw that there was no vibration whatever.
This morning after reading this thread, I was out with the 2017 ES, and, again, I paid particular attention to what was happening at idle. Both with the AC on and with the AC off, there was absolutely no vibration in the steering wheel, shifter, or any other location inside the car. I would describe the situation much like the OP described his LS. While idling there would have been no noticeable difference, with regard to vibration, between when the engine was idling and when it was turned off.
09-19-17, 11:29 AM
#6
I've now owned 2 ES350s, a 2013 that I had for 3 1/2 years and a 2017 that I've now owned for almost a year.
When I read a similar thread at some point in the past and when I had the 2013 ES, I made a point of paying close attention to what was happening at idle to make sure that there wasn't vibration that I wasn't noticing. And I saw that there was no vibration whatever.
This morning after reading this thread, I was out with the 2017 ES, and, again, I paid particular attention to what was happening at idle. Both with the AC on and with the AC off, there was absolutely no vibration in the steering wheel, shifter, or any other location inside the car. I would describe the situation much like the OP described his LS. While idling there would have been no noticeable difference, with regard to vibration, between when the engine was idling and when it was turned off.
When I read a similar thread at some point in the past and when I had the 2013 ES, I made a point of paying close attention to what was happening at idle to make sure that there wasn't vibration that I wasn't noticing. And I saw that there was no vibration whatever.
This morning after reading this thread, I was out with the 2017 ES, and, again, I paid particular attention to what was happening at idle. Both with the AC on and with the AC off, there was absolutely no vibration in the steering wheel, shifter, or any other location inside the car. I would describe the situation much like the OP described his LS. While idling there would have been no noticeable difference, with regard to vibration, between when the engine was idling and when it was turned off.
I would go to Dealer have checked out, and ask to start a few others there, sit in with them and compare back to back.
09-19-17, 12:06 PM
#7
No vibration in 2015 ES 350. I saw this thread earlier and made a point to check it out as I have to drive 300 miles today from NoCal to SoCal. There is no vibration when stopped, a/c full on or lowered.
A vibration source can be from many places: misaligned pulley/tensioner, loose battery hold down, power steering pump having low or dirty fluid (not likely at 40k miles), motor mount (highly unlikely at 40k miles as you stated), or disturbed sound proofing layer if any work was done on rack and pinion.
With the car running and a/c full on and headlights full on to increase load on engine, look at the belt. Is it running smoothly with no slipping or jumping? Also put your hand on the battery hold down, is it vibrating?Then observe both again with a/c off.
A vibration source can be from many places: misaligned pulley/tensioner, loose battery hold down, power steering pump having low or dirty fluid (not likely at 40k miles), motor mount (highly unlikely at 40k miles as you stated), or disturbed sound proofing layer if any work was done on rack and pinion.
With the car running and a/c full on and headlights full on to increase load on engine, look at the belt. Is it running smoothly with no slipping or jumping? Also put your hand on the battery hold down, is it vibrating?Then observe both again with a/c off.
Trending Topics
09-19-17, 01:07 PM
#8
No vibration in my '17.
09-19-17, 02:29 PM
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
Either there's large swaths of ES350s with something wrong with them, or some people are just more sensitive to it? It just baffles me that Lexus made this car have so much steering wheel vibration. You would think it's an older economy car.
These are still relatively new cars, usually things like motor mounts shouldn't be having large failure rates this early in. My LS started having a rough idle when it was like 140k miles and then after new motor mounts, it was smooth as glass.
I might go test drive a similar ES, but it's not the only one I've driven where I noticed it.
My former LS and my wife's current GX are as smooth as glass as far as steering wheel vibration. But they also are V8s which naturally tend to be smoother.
My warranty is up in like a month, I might have them check it out or go test drive a few more to see.
These are still relatively new cars, usually things like motor mounts shouldn't be having large failure rates this early in. My LS started having a rough idle when it was like 140k miles and then after new motor mounts, it was smooth as glass.
I might go test drive a similar ES, but it's not the only one I've driven where I noticed it.
My former LS and my wife's current GX are as smooth as glass as far as steering wheel vibration. But they also are V8s which naturally tend to be smoother.
My warranty is up in like a month, I might have them check it out or go test drive a few more to see.
09-19-17, 03:16 PM
#10
Lead Lap
It might be interesting/useful to know at what rpm level different people's cars are idling and if those who are reporting that they don't see any vibration might have cars that are idling at a slightly higher rpm level than are the cars of those who are saying that there is vibration.
09-19-17, 05:37 PM
#11
Pole Position
My car feels like it shuts down at idle. Oh wait - it does. 
Sorry, I couldn't resist. But honestly, that serenity at a stop is one of the things I like about the car. I would also be upset if I felt vibration at a stop so I understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to contribute since my model doesn't run at a stop. It definitely sounds like there is something wrong with your car though.
Sorry, I couldn't resist. But honestly, that serenity at a stop is one of the things I like about the car. I would also be upset if I felt vibration at a stop so I understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to contribute since my model doesn't run at a stop. It definitely sounds like there is something wrong with your car though.
The following users liked this post:
Rafadog (06-17-19)
09-19-17, 05:44 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Was your LS RWD or AWD? If you put your ES in park or neutral, does the vibration go away? Does it only happen in drive or reverse?
I think what you're feeling is inherent to the FWD platform of the ES vs what you are accustomed to, as well as the less balanced transverse V6 vs the smoother longitudinal V8. The GX is a BOF vehicle and I believe when its in 2WD mode its 100% RWD. The steering wheel would be totally detached from the drivetrain at idle, and the drivetrain would sit in the frame, not the body. If your previous LS sedans were RWD, they too obviously had front wheels that were totally detached from the drivetrain at idle.
I feel that vibration in the ESs I've driven (many), felt it in the older gen ES's I owned, and in every other FWD car I've had/driven. Even my LS460, which is AWD I feel a little idle vibration in the steering wheel and gearshift, where I never felt anything like that in my RWD LS430 or LS400. In driving a few LSs I found that to be the case in every AWD LS460 I drove, but absent in every RWD LS460 I drove. At any kind of speed it goes 100% away.
You would get used to it.
I think what you're feeling is inherent to the FWD platform of the ES vs what you are accustomed to, as well as the less balanced transverse V6 vs the smoother longitudinal V8. The GX is a BOF vehicle and I believe when its in 2WD mode its 100% RWD. The steering wheel would be totally detached from the drivetrain at idle, and the drivetrain would sit in the frame, not the body. If your previous LS sedans were RWD, they too obviously had front wheels that were totally detached from the drivetrain at idle.
I feel that vibration in the ESs I've driven (many), felt it in the older gen ES's I owned, and in every other FWD car I've had/driven. Even my LS460, which is AWD I feel a little idle vibration in the steering wheel and gearshift, where I never felt anything like that in my RWD LS430 or LS400. In driving a few LSs I found that to be the case in every AWD LS460 I drove, but absent in every RWD LS460 I drove. At any kind of speed it goes 100% away.
You would get used to it.
09-20-17, 06:40 AM
#13
Driver School Candidate
slight vibration at idle
I have a 2013 and brought it brand new. I also felt a slight vibration at idle. When I sit too long at a stop, I would shift to N to take out the vibe. Maybe like the previous post mentioned it is due to the car been FWD. If you do take your car to the dealer, please share back what their take on this. Thanks
09-20-17, 01:01 PM
#14
Was your LS RWD or AWD? If you put your ES in park or neutral, does the vibration go away? Does it only happen in drive or reverse?
I think what you're feeling is inherent to the FWD platform of the ES vs what you are accustomed to, as well as the less balanced transverse V6 vs the smoother longitudinal V8. The GX is a BOF vehicle and I believe when its in 2WD mode its 100% RWD. The steering wheel would be totally detached from the drivetrain at idle, and the drivetrain would sit in the frame, not the body. If your previous LS sedans were RWD, they too obviously had front wheels that were totally detached from the drivetrain at idle.
I feel that vibration in the ESs I've driven (many), felt it in the older gen ES's I owned, and in every other FWD car I've had/driven. Even my LS460, which is AWD I feel a little idle vibration in the steering wheel and gearshift, where I never felt anything like that in my RWD LS430 or LS400. In driving a few LSs I found that to be the case in every AWD LS460 I drove, but absent in every RWD LS460 I drove. At any kind of speed it goes 100% away.
You would get used to it.
I think what you're feeling is inherent to the FWD platform of the ES vs what you are accustomed to, as well as the less balanced transverse V6 vs the smoother longitudinal V8. The GX is a BOF vehicle and I believe when its in 2WD mode its 100% RWD. The steering wheel would be totally detached from the drivetrain at idle, and the drivetrain would sit in the frame, not the body. If your previous LS sedans were RWD, they too obviously had front wheels that were totally detached from the drivetrain at idle.
I feel that vibration in the ESs I've driven (many), felt it in the older gen ES's I owned, and in every other FWD car I've had/driven. Even my LS460, which is AWD I feel a little idle vibration in the steering wheel and gearshift, where I never felt anything like that in my RWD LS430 or LS400. In driving a few LSs I found that to be the case in every AWD LS460 I drove, but absent in every RWD LS460 I drove. At any kind of speed it goes 100% away.
You would get used to it.
09-20-17, 01:25 PM
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
The GX is full time 4wd.