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Engine & cooling
Lexus ES300 Engine problems by year
103 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lexus ES300's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest ES300 engine complaints
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.
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.
I tried to start my car out of no where it wouldn't start no warning or anything I checked the starter that wasn't it I'm not sure off it's the engine or an electrical problem
Tl* the contact's mom owned a 2002 lexus es 300. The contact stated that while driving at 3 mph, the vehicle began to emit a thick white, yellowish smoke from the driver side headlight without warning. As the contact attempted to pull the vehicle over,the vehicle began to lose power as a bystander altered the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately exited the vehicle and the authorities were called to the scene. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. A...
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police and fire report was filed at the scene. Due to the fire, the vehicle was destroyed and was towed to an independent mechanic. No injuries were suffered as a result of the fire. The manufacturer nor the dealer have yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.
I bought this car from all auto sales. The same day, less than an hour later I attempted to drive the car home and it broke down in front of a red light. The salesman reassured me that nothing was wrong with it. I tried to start it back up and it wouldn't start so I had to push it to the side of the road, while pregnant and two kids present. It was sold to me "as is" and I have no temp tags and I'm expected to pay a bi weekly car note. I had to payout of pocket for a tow truck and at this point I just want my money back it's only been two days and I'm already experiencing problems out of this vehicle. Please help.
This is the 2nd 2002 lexus es300 ive owned with half the miles of the 1st one...Yet both cars catalytic convertors failed!! How is that possible at only 136k miles the catalytic convertor needs to be replaced!! The 1st car had almost 268k miles which I felt the catalytic convertor failure wasnt as surprising...But between my boyfriend and I we have owned 4 lexus vehicles: 1997 es300 1999 rx300 and 2 es300 and all of them had catalytic convertor failures!!! I was told by a mechanic as long as you put in the correct fuel and correct oil the convertors should last forever!! So why is it that lexus cars convertors fail as low as 136k miles!! Thats rediculous!!
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.
On the night of august 20, 2019, at 9:45, I parked my lexus es 300 and went inside the local acme. Acme is approx miles from home. I entered the store and heard over the intercom all shoppers had 12 min before closing. I quickly shopped, and upon exiting the store, my car had a significant fire, and the fire company that was across the street had to respond and put it out. My car had no power, and it mysteriously caught fire. I was given the directive to have it towed immediately by the police and fire co who was...
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on the scene. I quickly grabbed any salvageable personals and had to get a ride home by the police officer. The following day august 21, 2019, aaa towed the vehicle to my home. I had to attach the battery cable to have power for windows and locks along with the trunk. I gathered all my belongings and removed the wire. I called the fire marshall for a report, and he said he couldn't give me a report. It was compromised by being towed. Compromised for towing when I was told or rather demanded to remove the vehicle of the property immediately. I googled the words lexus and fire and noticed by a few posts my issue was not an isolated incident. Therefore, I contacted lexus, who had me tow my vehicle to the local dealer. The car sat and is still sitting for almost three weeks before an inspector looked at it on september 10. 2019. I went to check the only car after and took a video of what I saw. I waited the 30 days for a reply if they'd assume responsibility. I got my letter on the 31st day and they can not identify how the fire started and assume no liability. How does a car mysteriously catch fire parked? Because this issue isn't isolated, is there any recourse action against lexus for damages? I have videos and photos of the damage after the fire and after the inspection.
Sir/madam, I am trying to help my friends ([redacted]) and ([redacted]), long time residents of huntington beach and a very sweet couple. Peggy was driving her husband to a doctor's appointment and due to a fault in the engine (there is a recall and they were not informed), the engine caught on fire. If it hadn't been for the driver behind them who ran to them and got them quickly out of the car and walked them to safety, the outcome would have been very bleak. They are an elderly couple and the husband,...
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([redacted]), has great difficulty walking and the car burned very quickly. They, thank god, made it to safety in time only to watch their car burn. They informed toyota and since they are on fixed income asked toyota for help with the purchase of another used reliable car (the lexus they were driving was 15 years old but in good condition and more than enough car for their trips to local stores or doctor appointments. Surprisingly, toyota only responded with one letter from customer service. ([redacted])'s follow up calls and letters to customer service, eco mark templin were never acknowledged or answered. Please help this couple believe in humanity again. Toyota is a reputable company and to have something like this happen without so much as a phone call from the company is surprising to all that know of this case. I am attaching all the evidence: pictures, copies of letters for your reference. Please provide case number. Thank you so much for your help. ([redacted]) for ([redacted]) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, when she saw smoke and fire igniting from the hood. The contact stated the engine failed and turned off in the middle of the road. The contact stated no injuries were sustained. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but no report was filed. The police was called to the scene but no report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to impound lot. The contact called local dealer lexus usa located at 6565...
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headquarters dr, plano, tx 75024, (800) 255-3987, and where notified of failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. *As *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke was noticed coming from the engine compartment. The contact managed to pull the vehicle over as it was stalling. The contact exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and noticed flames coming from the battery. The contact called the fire department who extinguished the fire. The contact mentioned that the fire department cut the battery cord and informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the...
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contact's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 156,000.
While driving on highway engine did shut off suddenly lost control , fortunately there was no traffic. Tried start engine again and it showed a check engine light and low oil light. Inspected engine oil with dip stick and showed good level. Towed it to mechanic and been told the sludge formation caused engine seize . Replacement of engine is the only option. Found a tsb on nhtsa technical service bulletin number: 628655 bulletin date: 20-jan-2002 about the oil sludge issue. I am requesting nhtsa to help me to fix this problem by manufacturer.
Driving on highway, suddenly engine stopped working. Towed it to mechanic and he said engine seized. He suggested me to replace engine with a newer one quoted 7500$ +labor. It has only 77000 miles on it.
Large cloud of white/gray smoke when car sits overnight from previous night driving. After researching online this seems to be a common problem. There was a lawsuit filed because of this. Why not a recall????
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