2001 Lexus ES300

CONSUMER STATED THAT HE USED THE REMOTE STARTER TO WARM UP THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WAS IN THE HOUSE, THE DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR SEAT, WHEN HIS WIFE GOT IN THE CAR AND THOUGHT THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION AND PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AS IT SHOULD, WIFE GOT OUT OF THE CAR LEAVING THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN TO GET THE KEY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER JUMPED IN AND BROUGHT IT TO A STOP. DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND STATED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *YD

ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2001 I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING INCIDENT WITH MY CAR. ON THAT EVENING, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULDNT STOP AND INSTEAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION FORCED ME INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SINCE THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED TO BE OPERATING PROPERLY FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, WHEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN. ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 21ST, 2001 I WAS DROPPING A FRIEND OFF AT HOME WHEN I PROCEEDED INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I PULLED FORWARD, OUT OF NOWHERE, A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED AND FORCED THE CAR OVER THE CURB AND UP A HILL. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. ANOTHER WITNESS SAW THE REAR TIRES SPINNING AS THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER THE CURB AND UP THE HILL. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.*AK

TEN MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF A FIRE DEVELOPED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AN INSPECTOR FROM INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED FUEL LEAKED FROM A RUBBER HOSE COMING OFF FUEL FILTER THAT LEAKED ONTO A HOT ENGINE WHICH IGNITED THE FUEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

TIRE HAD A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL AFTER DRIVING ONLY 1500 MILES. BRIDGESTONE SAY'S IT'S DUE TO ROADHAZARD. I DON'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING, BUT I CAN'T RULE IT OUT. BRIDGESTONE HAS NEVER ACTUALLY INSPECTED THE TIRE. LEXUS REPLACED THE TIRE AT A COST OF $285. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LEXUS, MIKE JACKSON, SAID THERE IS A RISK YOU TAKE FROM DRIVING ON "LOW PROFILE" TIRES. I TOLD HIM IF I KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A RISK DRIVING A $31,000 CAR I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT. HE RECOMMENDED I PURCHASE THE SMALLER 16" WHEELS AND TIRES, AT AN ADDITIONAL COST.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215/45ZR17)

THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL IS THAT IT ENGAGES MUCH TOO EASILY AND FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ENGAGING UNDER EXCELLENT CONDITIONS WHERE THE PAVEMENT IS DRY AND THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED LESS THAN HALF. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING READ-ENDED A FEW TIMES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS WHILE TRYING TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE A FIX.*AK