2005 Lexus ES Owner Complaints

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 ID

11705926

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

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 ID

11704902

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

[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 ID

11703620

Incident

Oct 24, 2025

passenger dash airbag is coming apart at the seems.

NHTSA ID

11505634

Incident

Feb 5, 2023

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 ID

11452114

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

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 ID

11338582

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

72,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11323626

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

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 ID

11254309

Incident

Sep 2, 2016

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 ID

11222547

Incident

Jun 25, 2019

Mileage

98,644 mi

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 ID

10991749

Incident

May 14, 2012

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 ID

10885203

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

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

NHTSA ID

10839442

Incident

Feb 26, 2016

Mileage

108,000 mi

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 ID

10579392

Incident

Apr 6, 2014

Mileage

52,872 mi

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 ID

10573386

Incident

Mar 19, 2014

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 ID

10554812

Incident

Apr 2, 2012

Mileage

80,000 mi

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 ID

10542709

Incident

Sep 5, 2013

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 ID

10524741

Incident

Jun 20, 2013

Mileage

63,000 mi

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 ID

10460978

Incident

Mar 26, 2008

Mileage

49,000 mi

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 ID

10447855

Incident

Jan 1, 2011

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 ID

10445212

Incident

Jan 20, 2012

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A CEMENT WALL. BOTH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/09/10*JB

NHTSA ID

10328872

Incident

May 3, 2010

Mileage

70,000 mi

ON NOV. 6, 2007 I WAS THE LAST VEHICLE IN A FOUR CAR PILE-UP. THE HONDA IN FRONT OF ME WAS TOTALED AND MY 2005 LEXUS ES330 HAD OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WITH SUCH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE I WAS SURE THEY WOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME BUT THEY DID NOT. I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM AND I WILL NOT BE PROTECTED IN THE FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10209289

Incident

Nov 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT'S WIFE BLACKED OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HIS WIFE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED BY LEXUS AND HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH ANY OF THE CRASH INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WENT 70 FEET ACROSS FIVE TRAFFIC LANES AND LANDED PERPENDICULARLY TO A POLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB

NHTSA ID

10203319

Incident

Jun 5, 2007

Mileage

18,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES. THE FRONT TIRES WERE BALD ON THE OUTER AREA OF THE TIRES. THE REAR TIRES WERE DRY AND CRACKING. THERE WAS NO FRONT END VIBRATION OR LOOSE STEERING EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOOKED AT BY A DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE NOT CHANGED. THE TIRES WERE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 SIZE P235/45R17. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,642.

NHTSA ID

10201852

Incident

Sep 4, 2007

ON SUNDAY JULY 9, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 P.M. I DECIDED TO STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE. I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE I TURNED LEFT AND EASED SLOWLY INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE MOMENT I STOPPED I REACHED OVER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SURGED ENOUGH TO MOVE THE FRONT WHEELS OVER THE CAR STOP IN AN INSTANT WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I WAS SHOCKED. WHY WAS THE CAR DOING THIS? I STILL HAD MY FOOT POSITIONED ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED DOWN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, AND THE BACK TIRES CAME OVER THE CAR STOP. AT THIS POINT I REMOVED THE FOOT TOTALLY FROM THE BRAKE TO SEE IF THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN NATURALLY WITHOUT ANY ACTION AT ALL BY ME. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE TOTALLY ON ITS OWN. I TRIED THE BRAKE AGAIN AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT STOP. AT THIS POINT I REALIZED THAT I WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE ROAD. I LOOKED BOTH WAYS AND SAW A SILVER TOYOTA WITH A LADY DRIVING IT. A COLLISION THEN HAPPENED AND I JAMMED THE BRAKE ON AGAIN AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. I WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL. MY BROTHER WORKED AT LEXUS. HE TOLD ME ANOTHER LADY HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT WHILE SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND THE ENGINE SURGED AND SHE RAN INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER ON THE INTERNET WHEN I GOT HOME. THE INFORMATION I FOUND WAS UNBELIEVABLE. COMPLAINTS WERE STILL BEING MADE ON ONGOING BASIS. I WENT TO COURT FOR MY TICKET. I HAD TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO DEFEND MYSELF. THE CHARGES AGAINST ME WERE REDUCED TO DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, AND I ENTERED A NO-CONTEST PLEA. I HAVE INCURRED PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA AND OTHER PHYSICAL INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET OUT OF MY LEASE WITH LEXUS, BUT LEXUS WON?T ALLOW IT. IF LEXUS ACKNOWLEDGES ANY PROBLEM WITH MY CA, THEY WILL HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS REPORTED BY LEXUS DRIVERS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10193498

Incident

Jul 9, 2006

Mileage

13,000 mi