2006 Lexus ES330 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“On 9/27/2007, my car (Lexus es330) went out of control due to sudden acceleration in a parking lot of a shopping center in glenview, il, and crashed with cars parked nearby. This car incident was reported to the car dealer, but I was told there was no problem with the car. The cost of repair was very high.”

“My son was driving his car on the highway for approx. 1hr and exited the highway to a side road. At the first light the car would start in 1st but not go into 2nd and after 2/3 secs it would lunge into gear. The same happens when putting the car into reverse. It shakes the whole car. After research these transmissions were recalled in 04 and 05 but not 06. Lexus says there is no problem but our friend the internet says something else. Repair cost 5800.00 from Lexus and not covered because not enough complaints.”

“In city traffic, acceleration with my 2006 es330 is not predictable and it hesitates rather than responding appropriately as the gas pedal is pressed. Has also happened as I am trying to accelerate to merge into traffic. Occurs sporadically and is very unpredictable. Can go weeks without it happening. No accidents due to this - yet. I have taken car back into Lexus dealership and got a canned response of it adapting to the driver patterns and it is responding the way it is supposed to - basically telling me that my problem is not a problem. …”

“I own a 2006 Lexus es330. I purchased the car last year and about a month or two later I noticed while driving there seems to be a jerk or shift around 30 MPH. It shifts hard when I try to accelerate to keep up with other drivers or it seems the car wants to accelerate on it's own. I have taken this car in to the toyota dealership and was told nothing was wrong with the car on both occasions. Also, I have contacted the Lexus dealership inquiring about other Lexus owners with the same problem. I have talked to other Lexus owners with the same model and there car does this as well. …”

“I acquired an 06 Lexus es330. I noticed the transmission hesitates under certain conditions, notably when slowing down and commencing acceleration while still moving. I have had a couple of close calls when it was necessary for me to accelerate quickly from a slow speed. The dealer tells me Lexus is aware of the problem but won't do anything about it, claiming that's how it was designed. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints posted on the net about this exact problem. I don't know if anybody has been in an accident, but it certainly seems like an accident risk to me. …”