2003 Lexus RX330 RX from North America - Comments

I purchased a 2005 RX 330 in June of 2005 and I also have had it in for the slipping transmission problem. They first said they couldn't duplicate the problem. Next, they updated the software. Now at 20,000 miles we still have the same problem. I love the 330 but not how Lexus deals with the truth about the transmission.

October 7, 2007. I received a loaner from a car dealer here in Oakland, CA--Lexus 2004 RX 330. I noticed after driving the car for an hour in the freeway that the transmission is not the smoothest. When you drive in stop-and-go traffic, coasting and accelerating, you will notice the jerkiness when you accelerate. So when you coast and the tachometer drops to about 1000-1200 rpm, you will feel the car jerk when you try to accelerate. I think the transmission ends up in the wrong gear. Thank god it is a loaner... now I know not to buy one!

I own a 95 lexus es 300 (had it since 2000). no major problems... pleasure to drive. based on this vehicle, I purchased a 04 es330 used (33k miles) w/o test driving. big mistake!!! don't get me wrong... the build quality is far ahead of the other cars in its class, but the ecu controlled tranny is a nightmare. the car also feels severely under powered (where's the 225hp). I replaced the air filter (k&n) and installed a performance exhaust (magnaflow)...hoping to increase hp and improve acceleration. I also had the dealership (great service) update the ecu for the smoother shifting. the car performs better than it did before, but the jerkiness is still evident from time to time. acceleration from 0 to 60 is better, but the car seems to struggle on the highway at speeds of 80mph and higher. while the es330 was in the dealership, I was given a loaner. the difference bet the 2004 and 2007 (es350) is night and day. the hesitation is minimal and it accelerates like a rocket. interior materials is cheaper though. final verdict...i'll trade the 2004 and probably go with infinity.

I own a 95 lexus es 300 (had it since 2000). No major problems... pleasure to drive. Based on this vehicle, I purchased a 04 es330 used (33k miles) w/o test driving. Big mistake!!! don't get me wrong... the build quality is far ahead of the other cars in its class(AcuraTL,G35,BMW335), but the ecu controlled tranny is a nightmare. The car also feels severely under powered (where's the 225hp). I replaced the air filter (k&n) and installed a performance exhaust (magnaflow)...hoping to increase hp and improve acceleration. I also had the dealership (great service) update the ecu for the smoother shifting. The car performs better than it did before, but the jerkiness is still evident from time to time(car takes up to 2 weeks to learn driver). Acceleration from 0 to 60 is better, but the car seems to struggle on the highway at speeds of 80mph and higher(boring to drive). While the es330 was in the dealership, I was given a loaner. The difference bet the 2004 and 2007 (es350) is night and day. The hesitation is minimal and it accelerates like a rocket. Interior materials is cheaper though. final verdict...I'll trade the 2004 and probably go with infinity. Lexus dropped the ball!!!

I totally agree with the majority-the Lexus RX-330 has serious transmission problems. I bought mine in 2003 and thought it was because it was an early model. I loved the car so I endured endless trips to the dealer complaining about the jerking transmission. They checked it, re-programmed it, but never fixed it. They would tell me they couldn't duplicate it. They also told me to use high test gas, drive it like a sixteen year old, and I was imagining it. (Yeah, I love to waste my time at a dealership when I'm not working!)

I should have applied the lemon law to it. My mistake!