Lexus ES: Technical Service Bulletins and Recalls

This article applies to the Lexus ES (2005-2014).

Service bulletins are advisories generated by auto manufacturers to alert dealers about problems with a vehicle line. Service bulletins may be related to a safety issue, but they can also cover non-safety items like cosmetic defects, service procedures or notice of changes, or improvements made during production. Recalls are notices that a vehicle needs to be brought back to the dealer to correct a safety issue. Items of a non-safety nature usually are not reported to registered owners, while recall notifications are mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in order to protect the safety and welfare of the public. Here is a look at some of the popular recalls and TSBs for your vehicle.

Recalls

Recalls are initiated by manufacturers and/or the NHTSA to address problems that are directly related to safety, such as the need to replace defective ignition switches or check the tightness of a particular fastener in the steering system. When a recall is announced, letters to currently registered owners go out within 60 days of the announcement to notify them with instructions on how to get the vehicle serviced. For those who are looking at or have bought a used vehicle and are not sure if it has been taken care of, NHTSA and manufacturers maintain databases going back to a minimum of 15 years so that the public can view what recalls have been issued. Owners can also go to this website and type in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is located at the lower left (driver's side) corner of the windshield, the driver's door jamb, as well as on the vehicle registration and insurance card. Doing this will allow you to find out if the car was not repaired as part of a safety recall, direct you to manufacturers' databases, and enable you to learn more information about the recall in question.

Recall List

Steering Control ECU

The variable gear ratio steering system is Lexus' electronic assist steering. The electronic control unit is the brains of the system. For the cars manufactured between December 12, 2011 through February 7, 2012, Toyota issued a recall on this system. The ECU could cause the steering wheel to become off-centered when restarting immediately after the vehicle is parked with the steering wheel turned.

Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) System Gear Assembly

The bolts that secure the housing and sprockets of the VVT gear system can become loose, which can cause separation of these two pieces, essentially stopping the engine while the car is being driven.

Brake Pedal Pressure Sensor Switch

The switch that senses the amount of pressure that the driver is applying to the brake pedal may fail. If this switch fails, the vehicle may activate the brakes without the driver's input and at the same time, the brake lights will not illuminate.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)

A bulletin, also referred to as a Technical Service Bulletin or TSB, is a general advisory issued to the customer by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is made aware of a common or recurring default, they may issue a bulletin with detailed instructions on ways to avoid or solve the problem. Unlike recalls, these bulletins may not necessarily pertain specifically to safety issues. Bulletins discuss a wide variety of possible and common complications.

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