2006 Lexus ES330: complaints, problems and recalls

COLLISION WITH A DEER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, GRILLE, RIGHT FENDER AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT (HID). IMPACT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHT TO IGNITE RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT SPREAD OVER THE HOOD TOTALLY DESTROYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED DURING THE FIRE. MY CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) LIGHTS IGNITE ON IMPACT. THESE LIGHTS ARE WIDELY USED TODAY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FIRE HAZARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ANY OTHER REPORTS OF FIRES RESULTING FROM THESE HID LIGHTS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158137 at NHTSA ↗

STARTING AT APPROX. 4,000MILIES, MY 2006 ES330 HAS VIBRATION THROUGH FLOOR AND STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS MADE MORE THAN 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF A TRANSMISSION AT APPROX. 8,500 MILES. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160476 at NHTSA ↗

TRANSMISSION LAGS DANGEROUSLY FROM A STOP AND HESITATES FOR A FEW SECONDS UPON ACCELERATION, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS, WHEN PASSING, AND ANYTIME PROMPT RESPONSE FROM ACCELERATOR IS NEEDED. ALSO EXPERIENCING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHAT I WOULD CALL A SLING-SHOT EFFECT, WHERE THE GEARS EITHER WIND OUT EXCESSIVELY AND SEEM TO CATCH UP WITH ITSELF AT NORMAL ACCELERATION OR A FEELING OF NOT DOWNSHIFTING NORMALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160478 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THERE WAS A LIMITED RANGE OF THE HEADLIGHT BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, AND WITHIN COMPLIANCE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,706 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168997 at NHTSA ↗

2006 LEXUS 330 FLOOR MAT GOT LODGED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CUSTOMER STATES THE FLOOR MAT GOT STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP AND BRAKES NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLIPS WHICH ARE INTENDED TO HOLD THE FLOOR MATS INTO TO PLACE ARE WORTHLESS. THEY HAVE SHARP EDGES AND ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO PLACE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201546 at NHTSA ↗

SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THROUGH OUT THE CAMRY AND LEXUS ES V6 ENGINE LINE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209776 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS ES330. WHILE MERGING INTO THE RIGHT LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE AND STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN. THE PEDESTRIAN DIED DUE TO INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO REAR ENDED TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND DROVE THROUGH A FENCE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN THE FLOORMAT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO …

Owner-reported narrative. 26,286 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240599 at NHTSA ↗

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 CERT…

Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281303 at NHTSA ↗