Ls500 trans issue fix! - shift bump when slowing to a stop / r to d shift delay
 

FIX FOR THIS ISSUE RELEASED 10/26/18

L-SB-0039-18

Some 2018 model year LS500 vehicles may exhibit one or both of the following transmission related conditions:

 R to D shift delay when vehicle is cold
 Shift bump when slowing to a stop

The Engine Control Module/ECM (SAE Term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been revised to address these conditions.

Hot Damn! That must be hot off the presses, because I was speaking with a Lexus case worker on this on Friday, and he found nothing. I've already called my service rep to get this scheduled.

Just our of curiosity, where did you find this? I've been looking all over the LS500 TSB's but can't find them anywhere.

I work as a Service Consultant at a Lexus dealership and also own a 2018 LS500. I bought the car last month and brought up the concern to my shop foreman and field tech specialist. Another client of mine had the R to D delay concern. The field tech had recorded some data but no fix was available. The annoying bump bothered the crap outta me over the weekend so I pulled up applicable bulletins off the VIN this morning and found they had just released this update. Hopefully this helps to promote more enthusiasm for the Lexus brand and provide a better overall ownership experience for other LS500 owners.

This is very helpful! Will be taking my vehicle in this afternoon and referencing this LSB.

Glad the information helped, my LS feels so much better after the software update.

Brought my vehicle in this afternoon, referenced the TSB, and problem solved! Thanks!

Great news! I'm scheduled to have mine done on Friday.

Awesome! I'm glad it's just a simple ECM program for the issue

You're very welcome seanspeng

Your very welcome and you have tremendous patience to wait 7 months kgoshal lol. I wouldnt change a thing on your current LS unless you have the annoying symptoms. The ECM update is also covered for 8 years / 80,000 miles so no rush to get it done either. I've worked at other brands before where there are bulletins but doesnt necessarily mean every vehicle will need it performed.

Thanks much. Assuring to know. Although I suspect - and knowing the DNA of Lexus - they'll probably issue some sort of communication to 5LS owners if a visit to the dealer is warranted. I totally believe in the Lexus brand and the people behind it (or have been over the past 2 decades any way). This is my 8th LS in a series in the past 19 years... that ought to say something to you :-)

Ken, can you have a look and see if there is another TSB for the shifting jerkiness in the lower gears? Another poster mentioned it. I had L-SB-0039-18 applied when it first came out and while it mostly took care of the R-D shift delay and the bump when stopping, the lurching and jerking when shifting in the lower gears is still present. Just wondering if there is a separate bulletin for this issue before I take mine in for the 20,000 mile service next month.

Thanks in advance.

I had a very different problem today with the transmission - I had already come to a stop and went to put the car in Park. There was a rather big lurch and the car jumped forward a bit. I then put it in drive and I felt the same lurch. I drove the car forward a few feet put it in park - this time there was no jerk. I turned off the engine and turned it back on. The transmission has not exhibited that jerky behavior again. My car has less than 600 miles on it. I have had this LSB listed above applied.