Hesitation problem at various speeds (TSB info post #159)
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 5
From: Van
I've been driving my '16 RX 350 in S-mode (manual) and Sport powertrain setting as a workaround to the rather poor responsiveness one gets when in just plain D (Drive) mode. (I have had the transmission TSB applied and feel this improved the system somewhat.) As "tdjacw" notes above, the transmission itself is very smooth. It's just the programming of the shift points that as tech guru, Tony Northrup, would say are, "just awful." When starting up the car in the morning I switch to S6 and then turn the round, driving mode select switch to Sport. This gives me much better responsiveness without the sluggish sensation one experiences in D (Drive). Most of my driving is within the city so I rarely need to use S7 or S8 so I initially set it at S6 and go. As an aside, engine vibration coming up through the accelerator pedal remains a problem and big annoyance.
I can't shift up and down in manual mode if the vehicle is not moving.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 355
Likes: 53
From: NY
Just push the gear selector up twice until it says 6th. You will still be taking off in 1st but will only go up to 6th gear before you have to switch. I start out in 4th and shift up when I need to. When you come to a stop downshift once, it will go back to 4th, that's the default from a stop. That works for me.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Software update for transmission hesitation
Took my 2016 Rx in for 10,000 mi servicing this week and mentioned the hesitation issue similar to many other reports. Picked up vehicle today and happy to report much smoother driving - Tech Rep mentioned they installed a software update to address the issue. Noted on work ticket as :Update available OP EG1637 Reprogram ECM (PCM) Engine
Covered under warranty
Hope this also helps some of the other reported experiences
Covered under warranty
Hope this also helps some of the other reported experiences
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: NY
Hesitation on Acceleration with 2017 RX350
I am having similar problems to what I have read in other posts regarding acceleration hesitation with my 2017 RX350. I have to press the gas pedal to the floor to get the car to move when approaching a highway from an entrance ramp. There is serious hesitation when attempting to accelerate. I will take my car to my dealer and inquire about a software update that I read in another post on this site.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 4
From: WA
Honestly, I can live with the hesitation. Its the vibration felt through the floorboards thats driving me nuts. Its been warm so I have been using the AC and that is just compounding the problem. This engine does not like to be under any kind of load under 2k rpms.
Worst case scenario is slowing down turning a corner going up an incline with AC on, the engine vibrates and buzzes like a chainsaw.
I know I sound like a broken record just never experienced this kind of issue with any other manufacture. Lexus you truly lost my business, cant believe I have had so much better experience with Chevy and Dodge. You know the old saying, fool me ounce!!!!!!!!!
Anyone on the edge of purchasing this vehicle should really think twice. If you get one with this issue there is no fix. Lexus will just tell you its normal unless of course you like to gamble with your hard earned money..
Worst case scenario is slowing down turning a corner going up an incline with AC on, the engine vibrates and buzzes like a chainsaw.
I know I sound like a broken record just never experienced this kind of issue with any other manufacture. Lexus you truly lost my business, cant believe I have had so much better experience with Chevy and Dodge. You know the old saying, fool me ounce!!!!!!!!!
Anyone on the edge of purchasing this vehicle should really think twice. If you get one with this issue there is no fix. Lexus will just tell you its normal unless of course you like to gamble with your hard earned money..
My drone is horrible too, shakes the whole cabin , please join the twitter #FixMyLexus so we can all fight this on social media, customer service will never fix this unless bad press
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 221
Likes: 21
From: CA
the throttle delay and gear downshift hesitation isn't the primary symptom in his thread, although it is one common in recent Lexus cars (blame fuel economy as well the 8 speed tranny) This thread has been more about terrible engine and transmission maping that causes acceleration from a stop to be jumpy and non linear. The car is possessed with shiftting up to 4th gear and above. The car will accelerate, then shift so fast you lose power (enough to feel yourself lurch forward), then it down shifts and then shifts up too fast so the experience feels like the car is sputtering up and down at lower speeds. It's maddening and the tsb doesn't fix this for many who have tried.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 613
Likes: 86
From: Quebec, Canada
The more I drive it, the less I feel the hesitation. Maybe I got use to how it responds to the gas pedal. If I want an easy start, it seems to do as programmed to do to save gaz and I see on the globe screen that the level stays in the blue area. If I need to do a quicker start, my foot got used to know how much to press to get it, but for sure it gets into the white area. And it does not have to be pressed that much, but there is a sweet spot where the computer decide to give more.
To me I feel like there is no hesitation and very responsive. I just adapted my driving on how it responds to the stimuli.
To me I feel like there is no hesitation and very responsive. I just adapted my driving on how it responds to the stimuli.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 542
From: Florida
The more I drive it, the less I feel the hesitation. Maybe I got use to how it responds to the gas pedal. If I want an easy start, it seems to do as programmed to do to save gaz and I see on the globe screen that the level stays in the blue area. If I need to do a quicker start, my foot got used to know how much to press to get it, but for sure it gets into the white area. And it does not have to be pressed that much, but there is a sweet spot where the computer decide to give more.
To me I feel like there is no hesitation and very responsive. I just adapted my driving on how it responds to the stimuli.
To me I feel like there is no hesitation and very responsive. I just adapted my driving on how it responds to the stimuli.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 807
Likes: 36
From: Ca
I had a loaner 2017 RX350 for the weekend and I noticed a very present hesitation on acceleration. I came on here to see if this was a common issue, and sure enough, there is a large thread dedicated to it. You would think Lexus would take notice of an issue like this.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I had it applied, it got better then eventually went right back. Lexus I believe has acknowledged that their "fix" does not work. Really tired of this...
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: TX
Well, I'm done. My 16' F Sport was just purchased back. Dealer would not put me in a 17' as they were concerned the hesitation issues are still problematic.
For everybody still having issues, I STRONGLY suggest you send Lexus and your dealer a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased along with contacting the NHTSA over the concerns.
For everybody still having issues, I STRONGLY suggest you send Lexus and your dealer a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased along with contacting the NHTSA over the concerns.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 355
Likes: 53
From: NY
Well, I'm done. My 16' F Sport was just purchased back. Dealer would not put me in a 17' as they were concerned the hesitation issues are still problematic.
For everybody still having issues, I STRONGLY suggest you send Lexus and your dealer a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased along with contacting the NHTSA over the concerns.
For everybody still having issues, I STRONGLY suggest you send Lexus and your dealer a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased along with contacting the NHTSA over the concerns.
The interesting thing is that they acknowledged the drone and vibration but said it is normal for this model.
Now after telling me its normal they stated that the Engineers are diligently working on a fix. I'm stuck in the Twilight Zone!!
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 221
Likes: 21
From: CA
Well, I'm done. My 16' F Sport was just purchased back. Dealer would not put me in a 17' as they were concerned the hesitation issues are still problematic.
For everybody still having issues, I STRONGLY suggest you send Lexus and your dealer a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased along with contacting the NHTSA over the concerns.
For everybody still having issues, I STRONGLY suggest you send Lexus and your dealer a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased along with contacting the NHTSA over the concerns.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: TX
I sent Lexus, and the dealer I purchased the RX from, a demand letter for car to be corrected or be purchased back. I gave them 30 days to correct / purchase or be subject to litigation. All correspondence was done via email and certified mail. I had had the car in 3 times for hesitation issues which we documented along with the dealer stating that there was no fix. See attached last service invoice for nail in the coffin on my RX.