Faults:

Not getting the gas mileage it used to; 17/23.

Interior filters smell sour easily.

Sensors replaced 2x. 400 plus.

Can accidentally get 2 CDs in one slot stuck.

Clear coat over pearl on rear bumper failing.

Key fob cracked. 200+.

Dash light for seat heat replaced, and one tail light.

General Comments:

Quiet ride.

Mostly comfortable and roomy.

Looks great still.

Enough power.

Dependable.

Faults:

The engine will surge out into traffic at anytime. When the car is at a complete stop and the gas is applied the car will hesitate for about three seconds then surge out into traffic. NHTSA has investigated five deaths and 30 crashes in 2004. While driving the gas must be applied very slowly or the car will surge at any speed.

The sunroof has creaked since the car was purchased, was told by the dealer that this could not be corrected.

Lexus Corporation has stated that if the car is driven by two different people the transmission will shift on its own due to the memory of the transmission. My car is driven by two different people and shifts on its own at all times. The transmission will stick for about 10 seconds which is very common with my car.

The catalytic converter has been replaced once due to the smell coming out of the vents. The smell still comes out of the vents and it does not matter if the heat is on or not.

General Comments:

The Lexus ES300 is a very unsafe car to drive. NHTSA should look into this matter more closely before more deaths occur due to the surge of the engine.

Faults:

Tires completely wore out at 14,000 miles and needed replacing.

General Comments:

This car is great for both city and highway driving, with a very smooth ride. Brakes are very responsive and handle well on slick roads.

The seats could be made a little more comfortable, which you especially notice after driving great distances.

Buyers should pay close attention to the tires that come with the new car. The dealers use a tire on the new cars that are very soft, so the car drives very smooth at the beginning. However, the tires start wearing out about 5-10,000 miles and you start to hear loud roaring sounds as you are driving. In my case, the dealer was only willing to pay for two new tires, even though all tires were bad. After having all four tires replaced with top quality tires, I found out from several other Lexus owners that they experienced the same problem.

Faults:

The transmission is unpredictable and quirky up to 40 MPH.

General Comments:

This is probably a great car. However I can't get past the lousy transmission.