This complaint is about my 2004 Lexus ES 330 bought in August 2004. The problem is with the transmission which hesitates very often when it shifts down from 2nd gear to 1st gear and then back up. I have experienced the problem many times in the past few months. Even though it has not caused any accident, Lexus should admit it is a defect design and should fix the transmission as soon as possible.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

I own a 2004 Lexus ES 330 and the transmission jerks and hesitates upon acceleration. This defect has put me at risk numerous times since the car was purchased; the risk being that the transmission hesitates and upon giving it more gas it decides to overcompensate, causing near collisions with the car ahead of me. The Lexus dealer has dismissed the problem and has not include it in the service reports, even though I have requested it be examined. They state that the car is learning my driving habits. This is a smokescreen and unacceptable; I am certain this complaint has been submitted to the nhsta before. Lexus refuses to acknowledge the problem, even though it has been recognized on numerous web sites. Thank you!

- Albertville, MN, USA

Vehicle surged when cruise control was engaged at 60 mph. It surged up to 80 mph. It felt like it was going down hill. Dealer could not duplicate the problem. Also, transmission hesitated at 0-20 mph, it also jerked........Lexus has admitted the problem, but maintained that vehicle drove as designed. Hesitation problem experienced by many Lexus ES330 car vehicle hesitation, then will lurch forward when accelerating a tlow speeds. Lexus has admitted the problem, but insisted vehicle drove as designed.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

The car rapidly decreases speed when one lets up on the accelerator. Cars following have no warning of this as the brake is not applied. I have had three very close calls of a rear end collision. The action does not take place all the time, so it is impossible to account for it by different driving.

- Sartell, MN, USA

The transmission is erratic shifting through second and third. It slips and hesitant when shifting up. When shifting down it is rough and inconsistent. This creates a in traffic safety situation. Lexus of sarasota service manager, first complaint, reset the computer. On the second complaint, simply stated that Lexus is fully aware of the problem. That they have had many complaints but since the transmission hasn't failed they will do nothing to correct the deficiency. This is totally unsatisfactory.

- Osprey, FL, USA

1. car hesitates, transmission doesn't shift smoothly. Returned car to dealer 3 times. Delaer "reset transmission". no help with problem.

- Mccormick, SC, USA

The 2004 Lexus ES330 transmission has a number of operating characteristics which contribute to poor driveability, but two in particular are safety-related hazards:(1) a hesitation on acceleration which can be very dangerous when crossing intersections and(2) a forward lurch when decelerating to a stop which could be very dangerous, especially when roads are covered with snow or ice.

- River Forest, IL, USA

Complaint relating to Lexus ES 330. Transmission and accelleration have been unsatisfactory since purchase. Car is momentarily unresponsive to accellerator when gas applied. Dealer said they found nothing wrong. I have noted that there are numerous complaints by other owners with this same problem. Shifting between 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 is hesitant and there is a longer hesitation than I have noted with other cars. This car model cannot be relied upon to accellerate on demand. I believe that this represents a safely risk in the event that accident avoidance should require predictalbe accellerator responce. This is a continuous and on going problem.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

Upon acceleration there was a long pause before the transmission accelerated to the next gear. The consumer has taken the vehicle to the dealer and was told that this is the way it is suppose to operate. Provide further details. The consumer stated the vehicle feels like it is searching for a gear when he is trying to speed up.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

On my 2004 Lexus ES 330, the transmission is sluggish in shifting and hestitates from a rolling or full stop situation such as traffic. This has on several occasions nearly resulted in an accident either by being rearended or broadsided. I have raised this question with my local dealer and was told that the car was performing as designed.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

2004 Lexus ES330. Transmission hesitates, sluggish, slow to respond, hiccupps, upshifts/downshifts frequently.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

When accelerating vehicle hesitates then lurches forward. This problem can cause many accidents and might even end up in injury or death!!

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Transmission problem: The car gets a delay when shifting to second gear.

- Stevenson Ranch, CA, USA

04 Lexus ES 330. While driving at speeds under 10 mph (especially "rolling stops"), vehicle experiences at least 2-3 second lag between throttle actuation and engine/transmission response. This problem is particularly evident when pulling out into busy traffic. This is a serious safety concern that needs to be addressed by Lexus. We took the car to dealer. They said all systems normal.

- Adams, TN, USA

Lexus has had a problem with the transmission in their ES models since 2002. The transmission does not shift properly, and at low speeds when trying to accelerate into traffic, turn at intersections, etc., the transmission hesitates severely, not knowing which gear to go into. I've nearly been broadsided several times at intersections when my 2004 Lexus ES330 with less than 8,000 miles on it wouldn''t downshift properly. I've sent 3 letters to Lexus headquarters, and they will not acknowledge a problem. Sight unseen, they state the car is "functioning as designed". however, Lexus service writers and salepeople have acknowledged there is a problem, as have scores of people on edmunds.com comment areas. Everyone concerned gets the same answer from Lexus, because they apparently have no fix available and don't want to admit there is such a large problem. Please advise as to any further steps I might take to get some action.

- Tampa, FL, USA

My 2004 Lexus ES330 has a transmission that hesitates between gears that causes a hazard when accelerating into traffic. Lexus refuses to acknowledge the problem and therefore to fix it.

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

My 2004 Lexus ES330 has a transmission hesitation problem. When I accelerate as the car is coming to a stop, the transmission hesitates and takes about 2 seconds to react. Same thing happens when I go about 40 mph and accelerate. This has created many situations where I was almost involved in an accident. I can't pass cars, and when making left turns, I have to make sure there is no one withing 400 feet of me before attempting the turn. This problem is common, and I consider is extremely dangerous.

- Cary, IL, USA

I own a Lexus ES 330 and have been very displeased with the transmission. There is a hesitation of a second or two when you accellerate and it also jerks the car when you try to accellerate when the car is slowing down. This can be very dangerous when attempting to pass another vehicle or merge onto a highway. Apparently the car is operating the way it was designed. Something should be done about this before someone loses their life! I've wanted a Lexus for years and now that I can afford one I wish I bought a BMW. This will be the last Lexus I will own!

- Odenton, MD, USA

Transmission shift delay. The shifting delay can go as long as 3 - 4 seconds and have caused several life threatening close calls accident. Lexus was aware of the shift delay problem but claims that this is normal and done by design.

- Hercules, CA, USA

04 Lexus ES330 transmission hesitation is serious danger to driver. Engine hesitates when starting from a dead start. Car has to be floored to move and even then it hesitates even more. Also car has serious blind spots on left and right outer side mirrors (they are too small for the car). Also, cruise control light stays lit even when the brake is hit or you dis-engage it. The only time the cruise control light turns off is when you physically turn it off with the switch or shut the engine off completely. This gives the driver the impression that it is on all the time even when it is off or worse they think they have shut it off but it's really still on and you have a very good chance of rear ending someone. This is extremely bad engineering and extremely dangerous. How you guys let a car like this on the road is beyond me. Did you test it" if so, how did you let it pass thru to the usa" this car with it's hesitation, blind spots, and dangerous cruise control it's likely to get someone injured or killed in a hurry. Car doesn't get anything near the epa ratings under any condition. I've contacted Lexus customer care and they say this all normal. No help or suggestions. Please get Lexus to put out tsbs on these problems before someone gets injured or killed. I'm very concerned. I've been a driver for 34 years. I've never driven a car so dangerous in my life.

- San Antonio, TX, USA