2019 Lexus ES Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 15%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2019 Lexus ES, 15% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,250 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since I bought the car in oct 2019, this happens everytime I am on local roads (speed <50mph), when I slowdown per the traffic flow, or taking turn (left or right) after yielding, the car hesitates to accelerate as if the gas pedal died on me and then I push the pedal further down only to get the car downshift drastically and revving up to almost always about the hit the car in front (if any) of me. In the few times I am on highway, when I need to speed up to change the lane the car accelerates unpredictably making the driving a scary experience.”
NHTSA complaint #11377378, filed 2020-12, 500 miles“During the month of august, 2020, on 2 separate occasions while the car was in gear (reverse or drive), when putting my foot on the accelerator, the car would not go . It was as if the car was in neutral but it was not. The first time I was turning around in a neighbor's driveway and when I put the car in reverse to back out and put my foot on the accelerator, it revved like I was in neutral but the r was on the dash and the gear shift was in r. I then put it in drive and the same thing. The only way I got the car to go was to put it in park, turn the car off & then turn it back on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352893, filed 2020-09, 10,000 miles“I am reporting a potential transmission issue with my 2019 Lexus ES 350. At around 70,000 miles, the vehicle began developing a whining noise at low speeds when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The noise has persisted and appears to be gradually worsening. The symptoms match numerous complaints I have seen from other owners regarding premature failure of the UA80 transmission, particularly the whining sound during low-speed acceleration. This issue began approximately one year ago and raises concerns about a possible widespread defect affecting this transmission model. …”
NHTSA complaint #11722597, filed 2026-03“I leased a 2019 Lexus ES300H in March of 2019. About 1 year later, the vehicle started having serious mechanical issues related to the power of the vehicle and put my life in danger on 3 different occasions. The vehicle has a serious problem with losing power. The very first time that this problem occurred, I was in the left only lane attempting to make a left turn. When it was safe to do so and there was enough distance between me and the nearest vehicle driving in the opposite direction, I pressed on the accelerator to make a left turn and my vehicle suddenly lost almost complete power. …”
NHTSA complaint #11451094, filed 2022-02Related service bulletins
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 5 | 15% |
| 2018 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 11% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 24 | 40% |
| 2004 | 2 | 13% |
| 2003 | 5 | 22% |
| 2002 | 5 | 19% |
| 2000 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2019 Lexus ES
12 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Lexus ES
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology