Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a three-spoke style steering wheel. During air bag deployment, it is possible that the bottom seam of the front driver's side air bag module cover (horn pad) could be torn away allowing the bottom...
1990-2005 · 15 model years
Lexus ES300 Problems by year
Owners have filed 773 complaints about the Lexus ES300 across 15 model years, and it has 5 recalls. The 2002 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (185), while 1990, 1991, 2005 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the acceleration & cruise control, followed by the transmission & drivetrain.
- Complaints
- 773
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 186
- Fires
- 36
- Injuries
- 124
- Deaths
- 7
ES300 complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common ES300 problems
Lexus ES300 recalls 5
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The left front brake tube may have been deformed prior to vehicle delivery due to improper installation of a coil spring spacer that was installed to prevent damage to the vehicle during transportation.
Covers2002 Lexus ES300
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut may not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan,minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, noth dakota, south dakota...
The secondary hood latch mechanism has a narrow clearance between internal parts which, over time, accumulate dust or other foreign matter and cause the latch to not engage properly.
Covers1992 Lexus ES300
Latest ES300 complaints
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Lexus ES 300. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 136,406. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 235,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in the driveway and turning into the garage, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated, hit a beam, drove through the garage wall, and into the dining area of the residence, crashed into the furniture, and stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact noticed sparks and smoke coming from the dashboard after the impact. There was no injury sustained. There was property damage. The contact stated that she had previously...
Read the full complaint
filed a complaint regarding the vehicle's sudden and unintended acceleration. A report police was filed with the police. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was later towed back to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
UNKNOWN
During a trip on the highway the accelerator was to low and take harder to accelerate the car. When we arrived home close to parking end the car suddenly accelerated while I was using the brakes pedal. I was lucky to stop on time. Thanks for your attention.
Car surges during acceleration. Stall out and idle extremely high while driving under 60 mph
Electrical systems is fried, draining every battery I buy ( about a total of 15 or more bought) I've changed the starter and alternator multiple times as well. If I turn the a/c on the lights dim and the car slows down dangerously before completely shutting down! My car is a risk on the road so I haven't been able to drive it since finding out, yet, I still have to pay insurance every month on it.
Questions about the Lexus ES300
Which Lexus ES300 years have the most problems?
Which Lexus ES300 years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Lexus ES300 problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the acceleration & cruise control (160), transmission & drivetrain (129), engine & cooling (103) most often.
How many recalls does the Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls across all Lexus ES300 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data