2001 Lexus ES300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BUMP VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT METAL FILLINGS WERE FOUND INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

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

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