I'm a long-time Lexus lover - 21 years! Started with an LS400, now have a 2005 RX 330. Keep having a surge problem when car shifts from first to second gear. It happens randomly. I've taken it to two dealerships who just reset the computer and tell me its "normal". Come on guys! After all these years, I know its not normal for a Lexus to surge. Recently had the regional tech person come into town to check it out. All the maintenance records show a random or intermittent problem, so he and the service manager drove it for a whopping 11 miles and decided there was no problem! Anyone familiar with this or have any advice? I buy Lexus for safety and dependability, but I'm not feeling so safe with this problem. Help!

 

With the Lexus tranny's you have a lot of factors that play into the shift points. My guess is that they have failed to properly program the shift points, or you have another problem causing the bad shifting.

I'd check the fluid levels when hot and cold. I would also look into the transmission fluid pump (which pumps the fluid for hydraulic use) and speed sensors if you cannot identifiy the issue.

You could also have a bad clutch plate within the tranny, which is hard to identify, but usually will only happen during a particular shift point (1st gear, 2nd, gear, etc.).

Transmission issues are tough to trouble shoot. I would be very descriptive to the service techs you are telling about the problem, as the more details you can provide can help diagnose the issue. "Rough Shift" doesn't really give a starting point for trouble shooting.
Good luck and make sure you post what the issue was.

 

I had this same problem too with my '04 RX 330 which I bought in '08. It was "slipping" between gears between 30-40+ MPH. I took it in for service and they "reset" the computer as you mentioned and it seemed to be fine for more than a year but I've noticed it just started happening again, in my 3rd year of ownership. They told me they'd heard of this problem too, but didn't offer any permanent fix as of yet.