2005 Lexus ES

58 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Dec 18, 2025Failure Oct 21, 2025Columbus, OHSteering, Suspension

   Authorized dealership service department (Toyota West/Germain Automotive Group) performed structural repairs and released a vehicle back to me as safe. I operated this vehicle on public highways with my child. Upon subsequent inspection, the same dealership declared the vehicle a 'Total Loss' due to structural frame damage caused by their own technician. The dealership knowingly allowed a structurally compromised, unsafe vehicle to be driven off their lot without disclosing the safety risks.

   NHTSA complaint 11705926
2. Filed Dec 13, 2025Failure Oct 21, 2025Columbus, OHSteering, Suspension

   FORMAL COMPLAINT: CONSUMER FRAUD & SAFETY VIOLATION Dealership: Germain Toyota West (Columbus, OH) Case Reference: #[XXX] ​To the Consumer Protection Division: ​I am filing a formal complaint regarding Theft by Deception, Gross Negligence, and Reckless Endangerment by this dealership. ​1. THEFT & BILLING FRAUD On Oct 24, 2025, the dealership charged me $455.00 for labor to install rear sway bar links. I provided my own parts. The technician (Maciah Houpe) failed to install the parts but still charged me. He later admitted via text message: "I did not do your rear links... you didn't pay for rear links." The dealership has refused to refund this money despite the written confession. ​2. PROPERTY DESTRUCTION During the attempted repair, the technician used excessive force and bent the vehicle's "wheel rod" (Tie Rod), destroying the steering geometry. The technician later admitted to a witness that he was fired for "bending the wheel rod" on my vehicle. ​3. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT (SAFETY VIOLATION) The dealership released the vehicle to my family on Oct 26, representing it as "safe." After a near-miss incident on [XXX] where the steering failed at highway speeds, Management admitted to my wife that they knew the vehicle "might be lucky to make it to the North Side" before failing. They knowingly released a vehicle with a critical safety defect onto a public highway. ​4. RETALIATION When I contacted Toyota Corporate to complain, the technician texted me: "You blew up the spot coming through Toyota... they can't help you." The dealership then revoked a "cure offer" (towing/rental) purely as retaliation for my consumer complaint. ​ATTACHED EVIDENCE: Please see the attached "Master Case Brief" and "Exhibit A" (PDFs). These contain the full legal timeline and the Text Message Logs where the employee confesses to the theft and damage. ​I have served the dealership a Notice of Intent to Sue. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this franchise's billing fraud INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

   NHTSA complaint 11704902
3. Filed Dec 8, 2025Failure Oct 24, 2025Columbus, OHSteering, Suspension

   [XXX] : “for parts it's $375. I'll drop the labor down to $80 for $455 total…”You: “Well I already have the sway bar links but yes that's fine bro. [XXX] : “Got it let me see if I can change the order real quick. [XXX] : “Got it changed 👍🏽”Screenshot that whole block.Text 2 – “Good to go” / work doneFind where he talks about finishing and testi [XXX] ah: “Got the rear brakes done, fighting the links right no [XXX] ah: “First ones out 👍🏽 should be [XXX] ciah: “Got it done, about to test drive and bring it up”Screenshot from “Got the rear brakes done” through “bring it up.”Text 3 – Apology and refund offerFind this [XXX] ciah: “XXX bro it was smooth when I test drove it. I can't do anything until 5 tomorrow. I'll send your money back too, I apologize about that.“I definitely got everything tight… If you can pull up at 5 tomorrow I'll check it over.”Screenshot that entire message.Text 4 – “Through me not Toyota / blew up the spot / arm and a leg”Find the long message from later:“At home, brother you did work through me not Toyota. They can't help you with anything…“You blew up the spot coming through Toyota. I can't even have your car in the shop now without you going through them first and charging you an arm and a leg.“I tried to do something nice for you… you ha [XXX] ‑old vehicle…” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11703620
4. Filed Feb 5, 2023Failure Feb 5, 2023Saint Helena Island, SCAir bags

   passenger dash airbag is coming apart at the seems.

   NHTSA complaint 11505634
5. Filed Feb 15, 2022Failure Nov 22, 2021Kansas City, MOSuspension, Vehicle speed control, Wheels

   Severe vibration from 30-70mph when acceleration, outboard boot split/slinging grease on left/right sides. CV axle has alot of movement. Right and Left axle shaft needs removed and replaced.

   NHTSA complaint 11452114
6. Filed Jul 10, 2020Failure Mar 1, 202072,000 milesRepublic, PAPower train

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11338582
7. Filed May 7, 2020Failure May 1, 2012100,000 milesMansfield, MAExterior lighting

   THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADES THEREBY CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO APPEAR EXTREMELY DIM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 11323626
8. Filed Sep 9, 2019Failure Sep 2, 2016Mechanicsville, VAAir bags

   MY PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON FRONT DASH HAS BEEN SLOWLY BEEN LIFTING AND SEPARATING THOUGH THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IS THE AIRBAG GOING TO IMPLODE ONE DAY ON A PASSENGER WITHOUT US KNOWING? IT IS LOOKING SCARY BUT I SEE THERE IS NO RECALL.

   NHTSA complaint 11254309
9. Filed Jun 25, 2019Failure Jun 25, 201998,644 milesDE Soto, KSPower train

   JUST BOUGHT CAR TODAY. HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THEY PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT IR STARTED ROLLING. HAD TO RESTART IN NEUTRAL AND PUT IN PARK AGAIN. WHEN I LEFT WENT TO AUTO PARTS STORE AND PARKED AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. AS I WAS GETTING OUT REALIZED CAR WAS ROLLING. I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT PUTTING IN NEUTRAL. SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK AND IT STOPPED THIS TIME.

   NHTSA complaint 11222547
10. Filed May 26, 2017Failure May 14, 2012Virginia Beach, VAUnknown or other

    DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND MAKING THE GLARE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR SOME TIME. JUST NOW FINDING OUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS. IT HAS LARGE BUMPS ON THE MELTING DASHBOARD. STARTED DOING THIS AROUND MAY, 2012.

    NHTSA complaint 10991749
11. Filed Jul 16, 2016Failure Jul 1, 2016Blue Ridge, GAAir bags

    THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS BULGING AND HAS SEPARATED ALONG THE SEAM NEAREST THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO SHRINKAGE OF THE DASH. THIS MAY IMPACT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND CAUSE INJURY.

    NHTSA complaint 10885203
12. Filed Mar 2, 2016Failure Feb 26, 2016108,000 milesBethesda, MDAir bagsCrash1 injured

    AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL COLLISION, VEHICLE MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET..

    NHTSA complaint 10839442
13. Filed Apr 12, 2014Failure Apr 6, 201452,872 milesSimi Valley, CAVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

    I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY UP AN AISLE IN A PARKING LOT AND SPOTTED A SHADY PLACE ON MY LEFT JUST NEXT TO A CAR ALREADY PARKED. I MOVED IN SLOWLY AT 90DEGREE ANGLE TO SET THE CAR INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ALREADY ON THE BRAKE. I PRESSED DOWN THE BRAKE FURTHER AS THE CAR WAS ABOUT TO BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE. SUDDENLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED AT WHAT SEEMED FULL THROTTLE INTO A BRICK RETAINING WALL 9-10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR BACKED DOWN IN THE PARKING SPACE WHERE IT IMMOBILIZED. THE ACCELERATION WAS SUDDEN AND UNCONTROLABLE. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OUT. THE SHOCK AGAINST THE WALL RESULTED IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR BEING DAMAGED AND A PASSENGER I HAD IN THE FRONT SEAT (WE BOTH HAD OUR BELTS ON) GOT A COMPRESSION FRACTURE TO THE LOWER SPINE AND HAS BEEN BEDRIDDEN EVER SINCE. *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10579392
14. Filed Mar 19, 2014Failure Mar 19, 2014Athens, GAVehicle speed control

    MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES PERIODICALLY RESULTING IN CLOSE-CALL ACCIDENTS. THERE IS NO WARNING SIGN OF WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP (HEYWARD ALLEN TOYOTA) WHERE I BROUGHT THE USED VEHICLE IN 2008. ONE OF THE SALESMEN DROVE WITH ME AROUND THE DEALERSHIP AND DECIDED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I LEARNED 24-HOURS AFTER THE PURCHASE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING IT WHICH WAS NOT REVEALED. I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM PUTTING MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS IN DANGER. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10573386
15. Filed Dec 4, 2013Failure Apr 2, 201280,000 milesHudson, OHAir bags, BodyCrash1 injured

    MY WIFE ENTERED AN INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW EXPLODED ON IMPACT AND SHE WAS HIT WITH FLYING GLASS IN THE FACE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS BENT INWARD APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES FROM THE FORCE. WE BELIEVE SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE B PILLAR, BECAUSE SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND A JAGGED CUT ABOVE HER LEFT EYE. SHE ALSO SUFFERED A BROKEN LEFT RIB IN THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIR NOTED THAT THERE WAS INTRUSION ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, THAT THE LOWER ROCKER HAD BEEN PUSHED IN, AND THAT DUE TO PRESSURE ON THE B PILLAR THE REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN PROPERLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRS BAGS WHICH DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS AIRBAG SENSORS IN ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE CAR. GIVEN THE DIRECT HIT ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE RESULTING EXPLOSION OF THE DRIVERS WINDOW, WE FEEL THE SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, WHICH WOULD HAVE LESSENED OR ELIMINATED THE INJURIES MY WIFE SUFFERED. I INFORMED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE AIRBAG'S FAILURE TO DEPLOY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE "THE IMPACT FORCES WERE NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE B-PILLAR, DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT WARRANTED". TO ME THIS INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NOT SENSORS IN THE DOORS AS SHOWN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FORCES EXERTED TO THE B-PILLAR IN THE ACCIDENT, AS NOTED BY THE MECHANICAL INSPECTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10554812
16. Filed Sep 9, 2013Failure Sep 5, 2013THE Villages, FLService brakes, Steering, Vehicle speed controlCrash

    DRIVING SOUTH ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED --UNABLE TO STEER IT OR SLOW IT DOWN--HAD TO GET OFF HIGHWAY TO AVOID COLLISION --TURNED WHEEL TO RIGHT AND SLID ACROSS SWALE INTO THICKET OF TREES WANT TO GET A USED LEXUS TO REPLACE THIS BE BUT AM AFRAID OF SAFETY ISSUES NOW. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10542709
17. Filed Jul 14, 2013Failure Jun 20, 201363,000 milesRossmoor, CAExterior lighting, Body, Vehicle speed controlCrash

    WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR THAT WAS 6 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS THAT OF A SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION JUST LIKE THE INCIDENT WE HAD ON APRIL 30, 2013. THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE LEXUS SUSTAINED OVER $10,000. WORTH OF DAMAGE AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE INCIDENT ON APRIL 30 CONSISTED OF OUR CRAWLING FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPOT, SUDDENLY THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED, WENT OVER THE CEMENT PARKING BARRIER AND HIT A CAR APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET AWAY. LEXUS LOOKED AT THE BLACK BOX AFTER THE 4/30 ACCIDENT AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10524741
18. Filed Jun 8, 2012Failure Mar 26, 200849,000 milesRoklin, CAVehicle speed control

    WHEN I ACCELERATE, THE CAR HESITATES AND ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING TO AVOID OTHER CARS OR CHANGING LANES OR MAKING TURNS. *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10460978
19. Filed Feb 13, 2012Failure Jan 1, 2011Kenosha, WIPower train

    TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND JERKS AT ALL TIMES PUTTING THE DRIVER IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A ENDLESS LIST OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS AND LEXUS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO CORRECT IT ON THEIR OWN. I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A PULLEY PROBLEM THAT MAY CAUSE A BELT TO COME OFF BUT THEIR IS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR A DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION ISSUE, SERIOUSLY?? I HOPE SOMEONE FORCES THEM TO TAKE ACTION SOON SINCE THEY DON'T APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED WITH CUSTOMER SAFETY OR LOYALTY. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10447855
20. Filed Jan 25, 2012Failure Jan 20, 201255,000 milesLA Crosse, WIEngine and engine cooling, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Steering

    I RECEIVED A SAFTY RECALL NOTICE FROM LEXUS INDICATING MY ENGINE CRANKSHFT PULLEY MAY LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY SAID I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LEXUS DEALER. SINCE THERE ISN'T A LEXUS DEALER IN MY HOMETOWN THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE AT LEAST 150 MILES FROM MY HOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP THAT IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. I ASKED IF THEY COULD CERTIFY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO DO THE INSPECTION AND THEY SAID NO. IF THIS DEFECT IS ON MY VEHICLE IT WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE 150 MILES TO GET TO THEIR CERTIFIED DEALER. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT ON MY WAY TO THE INSPECTION WHO IS LIABLE? THEY WILL BE. I WANT THEM TO ACCOMODATE ME BY CERTIFYING THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO DO AN INSPECTION FOR ME. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10445212