10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 62,973 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
This car -- purchased in 2003 -- has never left Florida. It resides in a humid, hot area, parked outdoors. Are the airbags in this car safe" will they be recalled? if so, when? what should I do in the meantime" thank you.
- Washington, DC, USA
When starting the Lexus ES 330 2004 for the first time in the day it makes a horrible sound that lasts about 5 seconds while still parked then when driving it seems like I am forcing it do accelerate. After being warmed up it is fine and after subsequent starts it does not make that noise.
- Davie, FL, USA
Ignition key housing/case containing metal key blade and electronic remote transmitter for unlocking/locking door cracked allowing transmitter to fall out. Inquiry was made with dealership on replacement. Informed key not covered by warranty - considered to be like tires or wiper blades. Replacement cost $200 per key. Used tape to hold key and transmitter together and used second remote key. Second key housing cracked several months later. Used tape to also hold together. Key case came apart in grocery store parking lot and transmitter was lost. Key would unlock door but car would not start. Female stranded alone at night without transportation. Called wrecker - quoted $80 for night pickup and tow to dealership. A friend was able to provide assistance and ride home instead. Next day, before towing, called dealership to inquire what would cause car not to start. Informed car will not start without chip inside (lost) transmitter. Returned to car with second (cracked) key and was able to start and drive home. Key housing design is defective and manufacture is well aware of the issue going back 10 years for Lexus and Toyota models. Will not replace broken keys without payment of $200 per replacement key !!! this is a ripoff !!! internet search and conversations with other Lexus owners confirm same experiences. Lexus makes a defective key for probably $10 cost and wants consumer to pay $200 to replace. Broken plastic key housing can cut skin on fingers. Lost transmitter makes the rest of key worthless. Leaves owner stranded and possibly incurring towing fees because of a cheap plastic key housing that manufacture will not fix or replace.
- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
The vehicle skid control (vsc) on my 2004 ES 330 engages on normal road conditions making the vehicle unpredictable and unsafe. When the vsc engages the computer takes over control of the acceleration and breaking systems. Its primary goal is to keep the vehicle straight. When the system malfunctions and engages when the vehicle is in a normal turn or curve the vsc computer will take control of the vehicle and force it to travel in what it believes is a straight line, placing the driver, occupants, and nearby vehicles and pedestrians in jeopardy. Being forced to drive in a straight line prevents the driver from completing a curve or turn and forces the vehicle to continue across traffic lanes and off the road. When the vsc engages due to a malfunction, the vehicle is a serious hazard. This has happened to me 4 times, twice with my family in the vehicle. I have left the vehicle with the dealer, but they have been unable to duplicate the problem and are unwilling to replace any parts unless there is a clear indication of a malfunction.
- Irvine, CA, USA
Consumer complaint regarding auto safety. The consumer is complaining abut an insurance company who wants to use a pre-owned safety bar to fix damage the consmer's vehicle sustained by one of their clients.
- Golden, CO, USA
- Deland, FL, USA