Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

1998 Lexus ES300 Engine problems

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1998 Lexus ES300's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 13% of all its complaints, most recently on January 16, 2020. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Since may of 2019 my check engine light has been on. The obd reader keeps detecting a trouble code. When moving back to california, I had to reregistered for california license plates, tags, and get my car smogged with my smog certification in order for me to complete registration. I have spent so much money into my car that it's affecting me from getting to work/ school and taking driving my daughter to school as well. Every time I get something fixed and drive the miles I'm supposed to be driving, that check engine light comes back on with a trouble code. This is affecting me because I'm unable to drive my car because it still won't pass smog. It's been going on quite for some time.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11299662
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lexus es300. The contact stated that the engine failed with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The failure was located at the engine evap canister. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 115,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10516197
Engine & cooling

I have a 1998 lexus es300 with approximately 115,000 on the car. The check engine light recently came on stating that it was emissions code p0466, which is a common charcoal cannister problem for lexus es300 1996 and up. There was an extended warranty issued for 1996-1998 lexus es300 for the emission problem which includes the p0466 problem. I went to the lexus dealer to get that emissions problem fix, but they said that not all of the 1998 lexus es300 was included in this warranty and my car was one of the cars...

Read the full complaint

that was in that category. Since the extended warranty stated that 96-98 lexus es300 are covered, is there any way that my car would be covered since it's a 1998 lexus es300? *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10230081
Engine & cooling

I have a 1998 lexus es300. In november 2003, my car was serviced under lexus' spa program due to engine oil gelling/sludge. Now, 3 years later, the engine seized. This is a direct and consequential result of driving the car for 76k miles with a gelling issue. The damage had been done and this was a latent defect. We took the car to the lexus dealer and had it serviced three weeks ago, spent $700 on it, drove it off the lot and 20 minutes later the engine seized. They now want $5k to put a used engine in it with...

Read the full complaint

130k miles on it. Lexus corporation was useless and they basically said no matter if the seize was caused by the gelling or not, because the car had so many miles on it they were not willing to "assist". Beware of lexus of seattle - they are crooks! *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10170986
BrakesEngine & cooling

Consumer 1998 lexus 300 es check engine light illuminated knocked and died while pulling to the side of the road. *Ts ***nar*** the consumer was informed the engine had completely seized. The repair facility recommended a new engine. After the replacement engine was installed in dec 2004, the vehicle was inspected on february 11, 2005 and the mechanic noticed oil leaks around the valve cover and oil pan areas. The brakes and calipers had to be replaced. *Jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10161558
Engine & coolingEquipment & accessories

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. DECREASED PERFORMANCE.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 10068888
Engine & cooling

The consumer was told that the engine may experience engine problems. The consumer would like to participate in the national call back. *Mr *scc *nlm

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10037857

Lexus ES300 engine complaints by year

ES300 engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 1998 ES300? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience