U.S. public vehicle records

Lexus ES300 steering problems

28 complaint narratives mention steering terms.

Key facts

680 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

60,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1992 to 2013 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 312 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Steering behavior evidence

28 of 680 complaints match this topic (4.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 10096210 · 2004-10-22 (October 22, 2004)

BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AND WHAT SEEMED TO BE VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH UP TO DATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR THREE MONTHS. ALL BUT ABOUT 1 WEEK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP.. THE INSTRAMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY $1000 TO FIX,,, JOKE... THE POWER STEERING PUMP AMD SENSORS WENT OUT CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO FAIL CAUSED THE CAR TO SEVERLY OVERHEAT,, CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROLS CAUSING CARBON BUILDUP IN THE FUEL INJECTORS, IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE BIGGEST PEICE OF JUNK I HA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096210 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 487715 · 1995-11-08 (November 8, 1995)

INNER PART OF POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE, ALLOWING DEBRIS TO ENTER POWER STEERING RACK, CAUSING RESISTANCE IN STEERING. *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487715 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10317667 · 2010-03-08 (March 8, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT 1993 ES300 LEXUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45MPH AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO SMOKE. UPON PULLING OVER THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HE STATED THAT THE STEERING FLUID CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED OVER TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT STILL HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER AS OF THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT . THE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WERE IN SHOCK BUT…

Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317667 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 9000987 · 2001-07-02 (July 2, 2001)

HAD A SIDE BLOWOUT ( RIPPED 180 DEGREES ON THE SIDE WHERE THE SIDEWALL IS), OR THE WHEEL AXLE HAD COLLAPSED. ALSO THE NUT TO STEERING WHEEL (DUE TO RECALL) LOCKED TIGHTER AT ABOUT 1000 PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9000987 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10083638 · 2004-08-19 (August 19, 2004)

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SURGING WHEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NOTHING WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. *AK THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP AROUND THE THROTTLE, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS WORN OUT, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, THE STEERING HOSE WAS CRACKED, THE TEMPERATURE WOULD STAY THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING, AND THE TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY OIL PUMP DID NOT SHOW THE PRESSURE. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083638 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

680 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

45.9%Usable mileage312 / 680 records

86.9%Valid incident date591 / 680 records

100.0%Valid filing date680 / 680 records

86.9%Ordered incident and filing dates591 / 680 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2005	2006	2013
Vehicle Speed Control	27.4% ODI 10319100 · 245,000 mi MY CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY CONTROL AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO BRING IT TO A STOP BY USING THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FUTILE. AFTER ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. CAR WAS TOWED BY TRIPLE AAA TO NTB IN ALEXANDRIA VA. REPORT THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA /LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DID NOT GET A FAVORABLE RESPONSE. *TR Look up ODI 10319100 at NHTSA ↗	814.3% ODI 10304692 · 40,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS ES300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT SUFFERD MINOR INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40000. UPDATED 3/16/10 *CN UPDATED 09/30/10 Look up ODI 10304692 at NHTSA ↗	413.8% ODI 10138278 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP ON OWN WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I FOUND MY CAR GOING FROM 40 TO 60. IN PARK POSITION THE CAR WILL REV TO HIGH RPM BUT IF I AM IN DRIVE MODE IT WILL JUST ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO LEXUS AND THE TECHNICIAN SAYS THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE WAS NOT WORKING AND THE REPAIR WORK WOULD BE $500. *NM Look up ODI 10138278 at NHTSA ↗	3724.2% ODI 10001095 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS WHEN ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANE OR ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND OR DECELERATED. SCC Look up ODI 10001095 at NHTSA ↗	4337.1% ODI 10053839 · 25 mi DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SPEEDOMETER CONSUMER CANNOT READ THE GAUGE DURING THE BRIGHT DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE POINTER IS BRIGHT RED, AND WITH THE BRIGHT SUN SHINING DOWN, IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WHERE THE DIAL IS ON THE DASHBOARD. AK MR Look up ODI 10053839 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10536963 · 111,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS ES330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. *TR Look up ODI 10536963 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10306402 · 17,000 mi ON 12/23/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:46PM, MY MOTHER LOST CONTROL OF HER 2006 LEXUS ES300 IN THE PARKING LOT OF A STORE IN MIAMI, FL. THE CAR WENT UP ON A RAISED GRASS BED AND WAS STOPPED ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ARMS OF A LARGE, METAL GATE. THE GATE REMOVED THE ENTIRE HOOD OF THE CAR AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. MIRACULOUSLY, MY MOTHER WAS NOT HURT AND NO OTHER CARS OR PERSONS WERE INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT. MY MOTHER WAS TICKETED FOR "CARELESS" DRIVING, LOSS OF CONTROL. FROM THE MOMENT I ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, SHE DESCRIBED A FEEL… Look up ODI 10306402 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10609490 · 10,991 mi THE LEXUS ES 300H 2013 MODEL CAR WHILE PARKING ON THE FLAT DRIVE-WAY (NO SLOPE), HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND MOVING THE GEAR LEVER FROM D TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHIN A FRACTION OF A SECOND AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR, COMPLETELY BREAKING THE GARAGE DOOR. THE FRONT OF THE CAR GOT DAMAGED AND A CAR PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE ALSO GOT DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR STOPPED AFTER THE GEAR LEVER WAS MOVED TO PARK. THIS EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING AND IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAPPENED AROUN… Look up ODI 10609490 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	27.4% ODI 10010655 · 81,000 mi JUST BOUGHT A 1999 LEXUS ES 300, TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE THE ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH IN THE REVERSE GEAR. FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING BADLY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE LEXUS SPECIALIST SAYS HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THE ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS SOME OF THE RL MODELS BUT HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALLS. INFORMATION IS FOUND REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN THE TSB DATABASE. *JB Look up ODI 10010655 at NHTSA ↗	58.9% ODI 10221661 · 146,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE GAINED NORMAL SPEED, THE WARNING LIGHTS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WARRANTY AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEA… Look up ODI 10221661 at NHTSA ↗	13.4% ODI 10261275 · 92,000 mi TRANSMISSION SKIPPING AT 92,00 MILES AND FAILED, MADE REPAIR $560. NOW AT 104,000 TRANSMISSION HAS TOTALLY FAILED. *TR Look up ODI 10261275 at NHTSA ↗	3623.5% ODI 10000029 · 228 mi TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA… Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗	1916.4% ODI 10016689 WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF A SLOW TURN(USUALLY A U-TURN) THE CAR WILL DELAY APPROX 1 SECOND BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. WHEN SLOWING TO STOP BUT NOT COMPLETELY STOPPING THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB Look up ODI 10016689 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	13.7% ODI 10001920 WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS Look up ODI 10001920 at NHTSA ↗	11.8% ODI 10141172 2000 LEXUS ES300 INVOLVED IN 45 MPH FRONTAL CRASH AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM Look up ODI 10141172 at NHTSA ↗	310.3% ODI 10224076 · 99,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH. THE FIRST VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AND CAUSED THE SECOND VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE BUMPER OF THE FIRST VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THE THIRD VEHICLE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE AND THEY STATED … Look up ODI 10224076 at NHTSA ↗	53.3% ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.AK UPDATED 7/3/12 CN Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗	32.6% ODI 10063075 WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE HITTING AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION.*AK Look up ODI 10063075 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	13.7% ODI 10150951 · 100,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ON A RECENTLY OILED AND CHIPPED RURAL ROAD, I HAD TO VEER TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE DRIVING IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. UPON SAID VEHICLE PASSING, I SLIGHTLY TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO FULLY RETURN TO THE ROAD. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO "FISH TAIL" TERRIBLY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL, AND EVENTUALLY TURNED HEAD ON TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DIRECTLY TOWARD TREES LINING THE OPPOSITE SIDE. I MUST HAVE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS, AS THE NEXT THING I RECALL IS … Look up ODI 10150951 at NHTSA ↗	47.1% ODI 10012387 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A RESTAURANT VEHICLE TOOK A DIFFERENT COURSE. IT LOCKED UP , BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AND IT COLLIDED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO NECK AND BACK. MR...*AK Look up ODI 10012387 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	21.3% ODI 10410546 · 92,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE NECK, SPINE AND SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. Look up ODI 10410546 at NHTSA ↗	97.8% ODI 10032267 WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE WAS DEALER NOTIFIED. AK THE DEALERSHIP RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC LATER STATED THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT FOR A REPLACEMENT DASH TO ARRIVE. PH *JB Look up ODI 10032267 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10576579 · 2,100 mi CAR HAS BRAKE PEDAL CHARACTERISTIC WHICH ALLOWS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REACH FULL STOP OF THE END OF FULL MECHANICAL TRAVEL (VS. HYDRAULICALLY LIMITED BY BRAKE PRESSURE) AND THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO APPLY MORE BRAKING FORCE. THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CAR MODEL IS DIRECTLY LINKED WITH THE CAUSATION OF THE COLLISION AND WAS CERTAINLY A MAJOR SURPRISE TO THE OWNER AS THIS EVENT WAS OCCURRING. NO SUCH WARNING PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS WITH THIS PARTICULAR BRAKING ISSUE IN LEXUS ES300H. CHARACTERISTIC IS ENDEMIC TO THE MODEL AS TESTED IN OTHER … Look up ODI 10576579 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	13.7% ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE. Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗	35.4% ODI 10148630 · 87,000 mi 2000 LEXUS ES300 ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 65-70 MPH. TS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION BUT THE TACHOMETER WAS SWINGING WILDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY WHO INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NM Look up ODI 10148630 at NHTSA ↗	13.4% ODI 10456444 · 110,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BUMP VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT METAL FILLINGS WERE FOUND INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. Look up ODI 10456444 at NHTSA ↗	127.8% ODI 10000029 · 228 mi TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA… Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗	76.0% ODI 10040083 AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE MOVING. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AK SCC *JB Look up ODI 10040083 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	27.4% ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE. Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗	35.4% ODI 10381931 · 37,209 mi TRAC OFF AND CK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL THEN OPERATE IN A ROUGH MANNER AND WILL NOT STEADILY IDLE, RPM'S DRASTICALLY DROP AND VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT ON THE ROAD DURING OPERATION. ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEXUS OF WILMINGTON IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE: 8/25/04 - CODE 440 PO AND RESET LIGHTS (WARRANTY) NO REPAIRS; 11/03/2005 - CODES P0046, P0441 & P0440 CLAIMED LOOSE GAS CAP & DIDN'T MAKE ANY REPAIRS; 11/16/05 - CANISTER SWITCHING VALVE SHOR… Look up ODI 10381931 at NHTSA ↗	13.4% ODI 8017412 CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE DIGITAL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.AK JB Look up ODI 8017412 at NHTSA ↗	85.2% ODI 10012059 THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB Look up ODI 10012059 at NHTSA ↗	43.4% ODI 10070548 I REALIZE THAT MY PROBLEM, WITH A BAD RADIO IS NOT A MECHANICAL ONE. HOWEVER, I AM SENDING THIS FOR YOUR INFORMATION, AND TO INDICATE THAT LEXUS DOES NOT LIVE UP TO ITS ADS AS PURSUING PERFECTION I HAVE SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT LEXUS, IN MY DEALERSHIP AND AT THE MAIN OFFICE OVER A PERIOD OF 10 MONTHS. I HAVE EVEN WRITTEN TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LEXUS. HE DID NOT REPLY TO MY FIRST LETTER SO I SENT HIM A SECOND LETTER, CERTIFIED. RETURN RECEIPT. I RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO THAT SECOND LETTER FROM SOMEONE AT CUSTOMER RELATIONS. IN AD… Look up ODI 10070548 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	11.8% ODI 10061808 · 38,520 mi I OWN A LEXUS ES300 AND I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I BELIEVED THAT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCLERATED AND TOLD OTHERS THAT IS WHAT I BELIEIVED HAPPENED PRIOR TO READING TODAYS NEWS ON THE INTERNET. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO BRING THE CAR TO A HALT.*AK Look up ODI 10061808 at NHTSA ↗	413.8% ODI 10062245 · 23,000 mi ACCERATOR STICKING Look up ODI 10062245 at NHTSA ↗	138.5% ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.AK UPDATED 7/3/12 CN Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗	65.2% ODI 10067151 · 2,000 mi UPON STOPPING, AND WHEN CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD BEFORE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ONCE, RESULTING IN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE POLE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. ALSO, STARTING AT 5000 MILES BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT DIED. THIS WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AK LA Look up ODI 10067151 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	13.7% ODI 10627463 · 85,135 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,135. Look up ODI 10627463 at NHTSA ↗	35.4% ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. *TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗	13.4% ODI 8001321 VEHICLE STARTED UP WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION, AND WHILE IN PARK, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE IN REVERSE INTO THE STREET. DEALER IS TAKING A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.AK. DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE REMOTE STARTER ITS NOT A LEXUS ISSUE. YD Look up ODI 8001321 at NHTSA ↗	21.3% ODI 10089243 WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. AK TC *JB Look up ODI 10089243 at NHTSA ↗	65.2% ODI 10080052 WHILE SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED TO MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND HE RESET IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REOCCURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. CURRENTLY, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 10080052 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Vehicle Speed Control	25,658–92,000 mi	58,000 mi	81	ODI 10043147 · 40,000 mi INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER: SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT LIGHT UP. IT STARTS FLICKERING WITH FULL LIGHT INTENSITY, WHICH MAKES ME USE LOWER LIGHT INTENSITY TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDLES. WITH LOW LIGHT INTENSITY IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER, SPEED, TEMP, FUEL WHEN SUN IS IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE INSTRUMENT IS TO TURN THE LIGHT TO FULL INTENSITY, AND THEN THE NEEDLES START FLICKERING. THIS CREATES A LOT OF DISTRACTION AND PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, MAY RESULT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT … Look up ODI 10043147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10083638 · 111,000 mi THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SURGING WHEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NOTHING WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. AK THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP AROUND THE THROTTLE, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS WORN OUT, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, THE STEERING HOSE WAS CRACKED, THE TEMPERATURE WOULD STAY THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING, AND THE TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY OIL PUMP DID NOT SHOW THE PRESSURE. SC JB Look up ODI 10083638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10148472 · 71,200 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT MEASURE THE VEHICLE'S SPEED. ALSO, THE GAUGE PANEL SURROUNDING THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. Look up ODI 10148472 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	1,000–56,000 mi	7,000 mi	45	ODI 10339990 · 64,000 mi 2004 LEXUS ES330-CAR HESITATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. VERY UNSAFE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. ALMOST HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. COMPUTER CHIP FOR TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX PROBLEM. USED PREMIUM GAS AS SUGGESTED BY MECHANIC- NOTHING HELPED. TR Look up ODI 10339990 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10083638 · 111,000 mi THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SURGING WHEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NOTHING WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. AK THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP AROUND THE THROTTLE, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS WORN OUT, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, THE STEERING HOSE WAS CRACKED, THE TEMPERATURE WOULD STAY THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING, AND THE TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY OIL PUMP DID NOT SHOW THE PRESSURE. SC JB Look up ODI 10083638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10112335 · 113,000 mi THE TRANSMISSION ON THE LEXUS ES300 WHICH I DROVE FAILED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. HAD IT HAPPENED A TWENTY MINUTES EARLIER WHILE I WAS ON THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY (I-695) I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN KILLED . IN THE SPIRIT OF FULL DISCLOSURE, THE CAR IS EIGHT YEARS OLD, IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN 113,000 MILES. *JB Look up ODI 10112335 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	38,000–113,500 mi	72,000 mi	12	ODI 10208174 · 200,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS OF NOVEMBER 7, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 BF UPDATED 12/12/07 Look up ODI 10208174 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10066411 · 96,659 mi THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE AIRBAGS IN MY WIFE'S 1998 LEXUS ES300 NOT DEPLOYING WHEN IN A FULL FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 35-45 MPH. *JB Look up ODI 10066411 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10247267 · 157,000 mi AIR BAG, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S, FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION THAT DESTROYED VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS ONLY PERSON IN CAR AND FROM THE SEAT/LAP BELT SUFFERED SEVER BRUISING ON TORSO, ABDOMEN AND THIGHS. LEFT KNEE BADLY BRUISED FROM CONTACT WITH STEERING COLUMN. THE SEAT/LAP BELT DID NOT FAIL. THE CAR WAS A 1998 LEXUS ES300 WITH APPROXIMATELY 157,000 MILES AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE STILL HAD SOME BRUISING BUT THE BRUISING WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE AND LESS PAINFUL AND HAD SHO… Look up ODI 10247267 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	65,000–100,000 mi	92,000 mi	17	ODI 10693305 · 141,800 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SWERVED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED, EMITTING A SMOKEY SUBSTANCE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACE AND EAR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,800. Look up ODI 10693305 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10714250 · 141,835 mi AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE GOING APPROX 30 MPH ON A FLAT DRY PAVED ROAD. *TR Look up ODI 10714250 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10816356 · 141,000 mi CAR WAS GOING 35 MPH ON A STRAIGHT, DRY, PAVED, FLAT STREET WHEN THE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN FACIAL ABRASIONS AND SUDDEN HEARING LOSS IN BOTH EARS WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. TOYOTA MAINTAINS CAR WAS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY. CAR WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO A LEXUS SPECIALIST WHO BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE MOISTURE ON FLOOR OF BACKSEAT. I ADVISED HIM TO STOP AND SO VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED AT TIME OF SUBSEQUENT FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST'S INSPECTION. LEXUS HAS REMAINED UNRESPONSIVE IN LIGHT OF ABOVE EXPLANATIO… Look up ODI 10816356 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	33,000–140,001 mi	86,771 mi	14	ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE. Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10148630 · 87,000 mi 2000 LEXUS ES300 ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 65-70 MPH. TS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION BUT THE TACHOMETER WAS SWINGING WILDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY WHO INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NM Look up ODI 10148630 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10310671 · 100,000 mi I HAVE A 2000 LEXUS ES300 WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY AND CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. JUST READ THE EDMUNDS FORUM AND THERE ARE 1,384 POSTINGS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON LEXUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEEDS ATTENTION. *TR Look up ODI 10310671 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	46,802–99,761 mi	68,500 mi	8	ODI 10070202 · 50,000 mi I HAVE HAD MY 1998 ES300 IN WITH TOM WOOD LEXUS OF INDIANAPOLIS WELL OVER A DOZEN TIMES SINCE DECEMBER OF 2002 FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE ABS/TRAC OFF AND LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF RANDOMLY. AFTER REPLACING THE ABS PUMP ($1,400 FOR THE PART ALONE), THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AFTER AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF FALSE DIAGNOSTICS, WASTED SERVICE TRIPS (AT LEAST A WEEK LONG EACH TIME) AND USELESS BUT COSTLY REPAIRS, MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. THEY SUSPECTED THAT A SLUDGE ENGINE IS THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEMS. BUT IT TURNED OUT THAT I DID NOT … Look up ODI 10070202 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE. Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10381931 · 37,209 mi TRAC OFF AND CK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL THEN OPERATE IN A ROUGH MANNER AND WILL NOT STEADILY IDLE, RPM'S DRASTICALLY DROP AND VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT ON THE ROAD DURING OPERATION. ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEXUS OF WILMINGTON IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE: 8/25/04 - CODE 440 PO AND RESET LIGHTS (WARRANTY) NO REPAIRS; 11/03/2005 - CODES P0046, P0441 & P0440 CLAIMED LOOSE GAS CAP & DIDN'T MAKE ANY REPAIRS; 11/16/05 - CANISTER SWITCHING VALVE SHOR… Look up ODI 10381931 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	17,000–41,014 mi	23,000 mi	17	ODI 10032534 · 59,000 mi LEXUS ES300 WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT ANY GAS PRESSED DOWN, THE CAR PROCEEDED FORWARD KNOCKING INTO MY SIDE OF MY HOUSE CAUSING SOME DAMAGE TO MY HOUSE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THERE VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN. NLM Look up ODI 10032534 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10061808 · 38,520 mi I OWN A LEXUS ES300 AND I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I BELIEVED THAT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCLERATED AND TOLD OTHERS THAT IS WHAT I BELIEIVED HAPPENED PRIOR TO READING TODAYS NEWS ON THE INTERNET. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO BRING THE CAR TO A HALT.AK Look up ODI 10061808 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062245 · 23,000 mi ACCERATOR STICKING Look up ODI 10062245 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	42,000–122,500 mi	92,000 mi	19	ODI 10043147 · 40,000 mi INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER: SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT LIGHT UP. IT STARTS FLICKERING WITH FULL LIGHT INTENSITY, WHICH MAKES ME USE LOWER LIGHT INTENSITY TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDLES. WITH LOW LIGHT INTENSITY IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER, SPEED, TEMP, FUEL WHEN SUN IS IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE INSTRUMENT IS TO TURN THE LIGHT TO FULL INTENSITY, AND THEN THE NEEDLES START FLICKERING. THIS CREATES A LOT OF DISTRACTION AND PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, MAY RESULT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT … Look up ODI 10043147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10862183 · 293,095 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE, STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED FOR A WHILE, AND THEN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 293,095. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10862183 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10280573 · 110,000 mi 1994 LEXUS ES300. ELECTROLUMINESCENT GAUGES FOR SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE (ESPECIALLY WITH GLARE OR AT NIGHT) TO DETERMINE RPM'S OR SPEED. A SEARCH ON THE WEB WILL SHOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 1992 - 1996 ES300'S. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REVIEWED. *TR Look up ODI 10280573 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2006: 2 complaints · 2013: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2006	1	1	2
2013	4	5	5

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2006	3	0	0
2013	5	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Vehicle Speed Control	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Air Bags:Frontal	Air Bags	Power Train	Unknown Or Other	Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	Electrical System
Vehicle Speed Control	—	6 ODI 10083638 · 111,000 mi THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SURGING WHEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NOTHING WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. AK THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP AROUND THE THROTTLE, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS WORN OUT, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, THE STEERING HOSE WAS CRACKED, THE TEMPERATURE WOULD STAY THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING, AND THE TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY OIL PUMP DID NOT SHOW THE PRESSURE. SC JB Look up ODI 10083638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10419895 · 139,450 mi MY 2002 LEXUS ES 200 WAS DYING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL. SUDDENLY, IT WAS WORKING FINE. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE IDLING OR WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING AT SOMETIMES 40MPH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEN EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, THEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD SHAKE FORWARD. KB Look up ODI 10419895 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062320 · 10,000 mi THERE IS A DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATION TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH MAKES IT ESPECIALLY UNNERVING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH, WHEN FIRST SLOWING, FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION. IT APPEARS TO BE EXACERBATE BY UNCERTAIN TRANSMISSION "HUNTING" FOR PROPER GEAR/ENGINE SPEED COMBINATIONS. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSES A RAPID AND JERKY THROTTLE RESPONSE TO MILD ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON AT… Look up ODI 10062320 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 899627 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH, ENGINE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY, AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY CATEGORIZED VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS, AND NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.AK Look up ODI 899627 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10418506 · 74,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STAND STILL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PAIN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, CHEST AND UPPER ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS CRASHED INTO WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO … Look up ODI 10418506 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10064706 · 2,600 mi WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB, AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES. AK LA Look up ODI 10064706 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062896 · 2,200 mi WHILE WAITING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. AK THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *NM Look up ODI 10062896 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10720988 · 177,500 mi I PURCHASED A USED 2003 LEXUS ES30FROM USED CAR DEALER. AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF DRIVING IT I NOTICED IT WAS SHIFTING GEARS INNORMALLY. IT WOULD SURGE UP TO 4000RMP BEFORE SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR AND AT ONE POINT WASN'T MOVING WHILE I HIT THE GAS THE ACCELERATION VERY FAST OUT OF NOWHERE. MY MOTHER ALSO HAD THIS SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE A FEW YEARS BACK AND IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER LEXUS CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND A WEB SITE THAT CLAIMED THA… Look up ODI 10720988 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10293960 · 45,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES 300. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE SIDE-WALK AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. AFTER HITTING THE VEHICLE, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 12/16/09 BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 12/16/09 Look up ODI 10293960 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312964 · 44,916 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER WAS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HE LOST CONTROL OF IT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS ACCELERATION FAILURES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD SEE NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER BECAUSE THEY HAD NO RELATED… Look up ODI 10312964 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10043147 · 40,000 mi INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER: SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT LIGHT UP. IT STARTS FLICKERING WITH FULL LIGHT INTENSITY, WHICH MAKES ME USE LOWER LIGHT INTENSITY TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDLES. WITH LOW LIGHT INTENSITY IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER, SPEED, TEMP, FUEL WHEN SUN IS IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE INSTRUMENT IS TO TURN THE LIGHT TO FULL INTENSITY, AND THEN THE NEEDLES START FLICKERING. THIS CREATES A LOT OF DISTRACTION AND PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, MAY RESULT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT … Look up ODI 10043147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. *TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	6 ODI 10083638 · 111,000 mi THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SURGING WHEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NOTHING WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. AK THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP AROUND THE THROTTLE, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS WORN OUT, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, THE STEERING HOSE WAS CRACKED, THE TEMPERATURE WOULD STAY THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING, AND THE TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY OIL PUMP DID NOT SHOW THE PRESSURE. SC JB Look up ODI 10083638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10419895 · 139,450 mi MY 2002 LEXUS ES 200 WAS DYING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL. SUDDENLY, IT WAS WORKING FINE. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE IDLING OR WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING AT SOMETIMES 40MPH. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEN EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, THEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD SHAKE FORWARD. KB Look up ODI 10419895 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062320 · 10,000 mi THERE IS A DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATION TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH MAKES IT ESPECIALLY UNNERVING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH, WHEN FIRST SLOWING, FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION. IT APPEARS TO BE EXACERBATE BY UNCERTAIN TRANSMISSION "HUNTING" FOR PROPER GEAR/ENGINE SPEED COMBINATIONS. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSES A RAPID AND JERKY THROTTLE RESPONSE TO MILD ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON AT… Look up ODI 10062320 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	1 ODI 10000029 · 228 mi TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA… Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 768748 THE LIGHTS , CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE RADIATOR WAS FRIED DRIED. AND THE PISTON RINGS ARE FRIED AND TOAST AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND ADVISED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH I KNEW NOTHI… Look up ODI 768748 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10074804 POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION, LUNGES AT TIMES, SEARCHES FOR PROPER GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. THE HEISTATION CAN BE QUITE DRAMATIC; ENOUGH TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. THE CAR HAS BEEN "RE-PROGRAMMED" BY LEXUS, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. LEXUS DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SAYS THE CAR FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED. PROBLEMS SURFACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUE.AK Look up ODI 10074804 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10093211 · 10,000 mi 2002 LEXUS ES300 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. IT IS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ADJUST WITH THE PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DOWN SHIFTING AS I COME DOWN A HILL. ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN WHEN GOING AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR CHANGE GEAR. PASSENGERS EVEN HAVE ASKED WHAT WAS THAT? COMPLAINED… Look up ODI 10093211 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10082667 ONGOING AND WORSENING LACK OF ACCELLERATION PREDICTABILITY. CAR WILL HESITATE ESPECIALLY WHEN POWER IS REQUIRED (SUCH AS MERGING TRAFFIC, LEFT TURNS, ETC.) AUTOMATIC RANSMISSION SOUNDS LIKE IT DELAYS ENGAGING WHEN NECESSARY.AK Look up ODI 10082667 at NHTSA ↗	0
Air Bags:Frontal	3 ODI 899627 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH, ENGINE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY, AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY CATEGORIZED VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS, AND NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.AK Look up ODI 899627 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10418506 · 74,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STAND STILL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PAIN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, CHEST AND UPPER ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS CRASHED INTO WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO … Look up ODI 10418506 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10064706 · 2,600 mi WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB, AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES. AK LA Look up ODI 10064706 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	2 ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.AK UPDATED 7/3/12 CN Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10045944 · 12 mi 1. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT 2-4 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED, JUMPING THE CURB AND HITTING A TREE WITH FULL FORCE. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS CONCERNS WITH THROTTLE PROBLEMS NOTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AT 1000 AND 5000 MILE CHECK, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. AFTER A CONFERENCE CALL WITH LEXUS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALERSHIP, MY CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FRONTAL CRASH RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE. RADIATOR DAMAGE WITH LEAKAGE OF FLUID COVERED A POR… Look up ODI 10045944 at NHTSA ↗	0
Air Bags	2 ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062896 · 2,200 mi WHILE WAITING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. AK THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *NM Look up ODI 10062896 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 520998 THE FLOOR PEDALS ARE LOCATED TOO HIGH AND ARE TOO FAR APART FOR SHORT PEOPLE. Look up ODI 520998 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11218107 · 80,000 mi VIN: (XXXXXX) YEAR: 2003 MAKE: LEXUS MODEL: ES300 (XXXX) AIR/BAG BUSTING THRU DASH ( NEED HELP ) (XXXX) YEAR: 2003 MAKE: LEXUS MODEL: ES300 AIRBAG IS BULGING -SEE PICTURES ELECTRICAL DRAIN ON THE BATTERY OFF AND ON SINCE. 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). Look up ODI 11218107 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	1 ODI 10720988 · 177,500 mi I PURCHASED A USED 2003 LEXUS ES30FROM USED CAR DEALER. AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF DRIVING IT I NOTICED IT WAS SHIFTING GEARS INNORMALLY. IT WOULD SURGE UP TO 4000RMP BEFORE SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR AND AT ONE POINT WASN'T MOVING WHILE I HIT THE GAS THE ACCELERATION VERY FAST OUT OF NOWHERE. MY MOTHER ALSO HAD THIS SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE A FEW YEARS BACK AND IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER LEXUS CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND A WEB SITE THAT CLAIMED THA… Look up ODI 10720988 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10000029 · 228 mi TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF THE LOWER GEARS, THEN SPENDS TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME AS A MOMENTARY ENGINE STALL. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FREEWAY RAMP ENTRANCES ARE CERTAINLY THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHIFTING DELAYS BUT THEY SAY NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS OUR THIRD ES300, THE PREVIOUS MODELS USED A CABLE BETWEEN THE GA… Look up ODI 10000029 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	5 ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE. Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10609464 · 156,342 mi DEALER AND FINANCE COMPANY CLAIM CLEAN TITLE BUT DOCUMENTS REFLECT OTHERWISE. TR Look up ODI 10609464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 8010890 IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT Look up ODI 8010890 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	1 ODI 768748 THE LIGHTS , CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE RADIATOR WAS FRIED DRIED. AND THE PISTON RINGS ARE FRIED AND TOAST AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND ADVISED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH I KNEW NOTHI… Look up ODI 768748 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	5 ODI 10070114 · 80,000 mi THE LEXUS SPECIALIST AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ES 300 MODELS AS WELL AS THE RL MODELS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THE ONES WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES HAVEN\\\\\\'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS A TSB ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT THERE. Look up ODI 10070114 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10609464 · 156,342 mi DEALER AND FINANCE COMPANY CLAIM CLEAN TITLE BUT DOCUMENTS REFLECT OTHERWISE. TR Look up ODI 10609464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 8010890 IN DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SUN IS OUT CONSUMER CAN'T SEE DIALS ON SPEEDOMETER, UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. AK CONSUMER ALSO CAN NOT SEE THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. *TT Look up ODI 8010890 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10381931 · 37,209 mi TRAC OFF AND CK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL THEN OPERATE IN A ROUGH MANNER AND WILL NOT STEADILY IDLE, RPM'S DRASTICALLY DROP AND VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT ON THE ROAD DURING OPERATION. ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEXUS OF WILMINGTON IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE: 8/25/04 - CODE 440 PO AND RESET LIGHTS (WARRANTY) NO REPAIRS; 11/03/2005 - CODES P0046, P0441 & P0440 CLAIMED LOOSE GAS CAP & DIDN'T MAKE ANY REPAIRS; 11/16/05 - CANISTER SWITCHING VALVE SHOR… Look up ODI 10381931 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	2 ODI 10293960 · 45,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS ES 300. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE SIDE-WALK AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. AFTER HITTING THE VEHICLE, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 12/16/09 BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 12/16/09 Look up ODI 10293960 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312964 · 44,916 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER WAS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HE LOST CONTROL OF IT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS ACCELERATION FAILURES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD SEE NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER BECAUSE THEY HAD NO RELATED… Look up ODI 10312964 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10074804 POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION, LUNGES AT TIMES, SEARCHES FOR PROPER GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. THE HEISTATION CAN BE QUITE DRAMATIC; ENOUGH TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. THE CAR HAS BEEN "RE-PROGRAMMED" BY LEXUS, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. LEXUS DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SAYS THE CAR FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED. PROBLEMS SURFACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUE.AK Look up ODI 10074804 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10093211 · 10,000 mi 2002 LEXUS ES300 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. IT IS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ADJUST WITH THE PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DOWN SHIFTING AS I COME DOWN A HILL. ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN WHEN GOING AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR CHANGE GEAR. PASSENGERS EVEN HAVE ASKED WHAT WAS THAT? COMPLAINED… Look up ODI 10093211 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10082667 ONGOING AND WORSENING LACK OF ACCELLERATION PREDICTABILITY. CAR WILL HESITATE ESPECIALLY WHEN POWER IS REQUIRED (SUCH AS MERGING TRAFFIC, LEFT TURNS, ETC.) AUTOMATIC RANSMISSION SOUNDS LIKE IT DELAYS ENGAGING WHEN NECESSARY.AK Look up ODI 10082667 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10032815 · 17,000 mi WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING AT LESS THEN 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, PROCEEDED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A SECOND CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES BESIDE MINE.AK UPDATED 7/3/12 CN Look up ODI 10032815 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10045944 · 12 mi 1. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT 2-4 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED, JUMPING THE CURB AND HITTING A TREE WITH FULL FORCE. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS CONCERNS WITH THROTTLE PROBLEMS NOTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AT 1000 AND 5000 MILE CHECK, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. AFTER A CONFERENCE CALL WITH LEXUS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALERSHIP, MY CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FRONTAL CRASH RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE. RADIATOR DAMAGE WITH LEAKAGE OF FLUID COVERED A POR… Look up ODI 10045944 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 520998 THE FLOOR PEDALS ARE LOCATED TOO HIGH AND ARE TOO FAR APART FOR SHORT PEOPLE. Look up ODI 520998 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Electrical System	2 ODI 10043147 · 40,000 mi INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER: SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT LIGHT UP. IT STARTS FLICKERING WITH FULL LIGHT INTENSITY, WHICH MAKES ME USE LOWER LIGHT INTENSITY TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDLES. WITH LOW LIGHT INTENSITY IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER, SPEED, TEMP, FUEL WHEN SUN IS IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE INSTRUMENT IS TO TURN THE LIGHT TO FULL INTENSITY, AND THEN THE NEEDLES START FLICKERING. THIS CREATES A LOT OF DISTRACTION AND PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, MAY RESULT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT … Look up ODI 10043147 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. *TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	2 ODI 10313124 · 92,000 mi CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL-STOPPED BY A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAWN BUSHES =CAR WAS TOTALED- BAGS DID NOT OPEN-PROBLEM WITH SENSORS REPLACED 2 AND THE\IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CRASH- RUN AWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PLUS ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. TR Look up ODI 10313124 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11218107 · 80,000 mi VIN: (XXXXXX) YEAR: 2003 MAKE: LEXUS MODEL: ES300 (XXXX) AIR/BAG BUSTING THRU DASH ( NEED HELP ) (XXXX) YEAR: 2003 MAKE: LEXUS MODEL: ES300 AIRBAG IS BULGING -SEE PICTURES ELECTRICAL DRAIN ON THE BATTERY OFF AND ON SINCE. 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). Look up ODI 11218107 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10381931 · 37,209 mi TRAC OFF AND CK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL THEN OPERATE IN A ROUGH MANNER AND WILL NOT STEADILY IDLE, RPM'S DRASTICALLY DROP AND VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT ON THE ROAD DURING OPERATION. ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEXUS OF WILMINGTON IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE: 8/25/04 - CODE 440 PO AND RESET LIGHTS (WARRANTY) NO REPAIRS; 11/03/2005 - CODES P0046, P0441 & P0440 CLAIMED LOOSE GAS CAP & DIDN'T MAKE ANY REPAIRS; 11/16/05 - CANISTER SWITCHING VALVE SHOR… Look up ODI 10381931 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

8 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

33 mentions · 4.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 37,547 mi (23 usable records).

ODI 973343

WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY PUT FOOT ON BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND DID NOT RETURN AND CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. TT

Look up ODI 973343 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898580

WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRAUDAL STOP PEDAL GOES TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Look up ODI 898580 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 972996

THE WAY THE PEDAL IS DESIGNED SOME ONE WITH A SHOE SIZE OVER 91/2 CANNOT GET TO THE BRAKE EASILY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TT AIR VENT IS DESIGNED TO BLOW AIR ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF FOOT, DUE TO THE LEFT SIDE EXTENSION, YOU CANNOT ROTATE YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IF YOUR SHOE SIZE IS GREATER THAN 91/2, DEALER CUT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VENT. *SLC

Look up ODI 972996 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

31 mentions · 4.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 12,000 mi (19 usable records).

ODI 10296641 · 236,000 mi

THE ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO UNINTENDED-ACCELERATION AS THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD FIGHTING THE BRAKE. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR HAD A LIFE OF ITS OWN OVERRIDING THE BRAKING ACTIONS I TRIED TO IMPLEMENT. I WAS PROCEEDING SLOWLY UP THE LONG NARROW DRIVEWAY. I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING PLACE THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE WALK-WAY. I SLOWLY TAPPED THE GAS ON MY LEXUS ES 300 AND THEN THE BRAKES. AS I MOVED MY FOOT OVER TO THE HIGHER LEVEL BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN--THE IGNITION/ACCELERATOR SYSTEM TOOK O…

Look up ODI 10296641 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 554418

FAULTY COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 4TH TO 1ST GEAR WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STARTS JERKING, AND MOVES AT AN UNCONTROLLED PACED BY COMPUTER ONLY, DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL OVER ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. NLM

Look up ODI 554418 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 730915

ON SEPTEMBER 7 WITH THE SERVICEMANGER AND MECHANIC TESTING THE VEHICLE AT 55 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 1ST GEAR, STARTED JERKING, AND MOVING ON IT'S ON AT A SLOW UNCONTROLLED PACE BY COMPUTER ONLY. DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST SIX TIME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BARELY ESCAPED DEATH BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LEXUS PLANS TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND GIVE IT BACK TO ME TUESDAY, SEPT. 12. I HAVE A FEAR OF DRIVING THAT CAR AND DON'T WISH TO TAKE IT BACK.…

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Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

22 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 92,568 mi (14 usable records).

ODI 885859

VEHICLE STALLS WHENEVER CONSUMER DECELERATES WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

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ODI 763561

TRIED TO VEER SLIGHTLY LEFT. CAR WENT OVER 3 LANES OF EXPRESSWAY.TRIED R THEN L 4 TIMES AND BRAKED, BUT EACH TIME WENT OVER ALL LANES AND IDN'T STOP. WOUND UP 180 DEGREES FACING THE WRONG WAY STALLED. MIRACULOUSLY ALL THE DRIVCERS BEHIND HAD JUST STOPPED. THOUGHT IT WAS MY DRIVING TECHNIQUE. 2 DAYS LATER WHEEL HARD TO TURN. SENT FOR SERVICE AND STEERING PUMP LEAKING, POWER STEERING RACK BROKEN. *AK TRANSMISSISON GASKET FLUID DEFECTIVE,VANE PUMP DEFECTIVE.

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ODI 10091510

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

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Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

21 mentions · 3.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 98,143 mi (15 usable records).

ODI 768748

THE LIGHTS , CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE RADIATOR WAS FRIED DRIED. AND THE PISTON RINGS ARE FRIED AND TOAST AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND ADVISED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH I KNEW NOTHI…

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ODI 8017043

WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING BATTERY EXPLODED.*AK CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. CONSUMER INSERTED THE KEY AND HWEN TURNING THE IGNITION THE BATTERY EXPLODED CREATING FUMES AND SMOKE. ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS GONE. THE DEALER MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JG

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ODI 10058211

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SERVICING DEALER REPLACED O2 SENSOR - BANK 2, SENSOR 1, PART NUMBER 89465-33080 - DEALER LISTED AS $183.30 FOR THE PART WHILE WARRANTY COMPANY LISTED AS $128.11 FOR THE SAME PART. WHEN CHECKING WARRANTY COVERAGE, WAS TOLD WARRANTY DID NOT EXIST - PAID $1,860.00 TO BREDEMANN LEXUS IN GLENVIEW FOR THE WARRANTY ON 6/14/03. *AK

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Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

8 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10096210

Look up ODI 10096210 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 487715

INNER PART OF POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE, ALLOWING DEBRIS TO ENTER POWER STEERING RACK, CAUSING RESISTANCE IN STEERING. *DSH

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ODI 10000002 · 45,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED . LUCKILY WHILE PARKED. CAR TOWED TO LEXUS OF MARIN. BILL 3000. MILEAGE ON CAR BETWEEN 40-50000

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Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

4 mentions · 0.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 90,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10026659 · 132,495 mi

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN . *AK CONSUMER ADDED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONER, AND A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN BECAUSE OF POOR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A RADIATOR ALTHOUGH THE LEAKS WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE WATER PUMP *LA THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. *JB

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ODI 10313796 · 90,000 mi

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, I HAVE PERIODICALLY COMPLAINED TO MY TOYOTA OF TUCSON (AUTO MALL) SERVICE DEPT. THAT MY '98 ES300 PERIODICALLY PRODUCES INTENSE GASOLINE ODOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, MANY MONTHS APART. THE FUMES SEEM TO BE SWEPT IN THROUGH A/C OR HEATING VENTS, AND CAN CONTINUE FOR THE DURATION OF A LOCAL DRIVE, ONLY TO DISAPPEAR THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO FOLLOW ANY PATTERN -- NOT JUST AFTER FILL-UP; NOT JUST AT START-UP; NOT JUST WHEN ENGINE HOT OR COLD. THE DEALER …

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ODI 899761

TEN MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF A FIRE DEVELOPED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AN INSPECTOR FROM INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED FUEL LEAKED FROM A RUBBER HOSE COMING OFF FUEL FILTER THAT LEAKED ONTO A HOT ENGINE WHICH IGNITED THE FUEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

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Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Oil consumption or dilution

4 mentions · 0.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 98,143 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10029186 · 98,000 mi

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON, BLUE EXHAUST IN ENGINE SMOKE, ABNORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION, GELLED OIL OR SLUDGE PRESENT INSIDE VALVE COVER BELOW OIL FILLER CAP. CALLED LEXUS AMERICA, BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER, THEY TELL ME I MUST PAY $2,071.06 FOR REPAIRS AND PRETEND NOT TO KNOW OF THIS COMMON 3.0L V-6 ENGINE PROBLEM THAT IS EXTENSIVELY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET AND THAT LEXUS HAS ALREADY STARTED REIMBURSING CAR OWNERS STARTING WITH 1997 MODELS.*AK

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ODI 10069733 · 98,143 mi

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY, BLUE EXHAUST SMOKE ON STARTUP, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, GELLED OIL OR SLUDGE PRESENT BENEATH OIL FILLER CAP ON VALVE COVER AFTER GOING TO LEXUS THE BEST THEY WOULD OFFER WAS TO EAT THE PARTS COST, ABOUT $500 BUT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY $1500 FOR A HEAD JOB THAT ANYONE ELSE CHARGES $950 FOR

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ODI 10137705 · 145,000 mi

1996 LEXUS ES300; SLUDGE BUILD-UP; EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; WHITE SMOKE ON START-UP; DEALER SAYS THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $7000. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR 1997 TO 2001 MODELS WITH THE V-6 ENGINE. WHY WON'T THEY HONOR THE REPAIR TO THE ENGINE FOR A 1996 MODEL? *NM

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Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 0.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 8005413

ENGINE OIL IS JELLING WHICH PREVENTS OIL FROM CIRCULATING THROUGH THE ENGINE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK FIRST THERE WAS OIL FILTER GASKET LEAK AT BLOCK. DEALER REPLACED OIL FILTER HOUSING O-RING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. LASTLY, THE ENGINE SEIZED. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE AND FOUND OIL GELLING IN ENGINE. AFTER NEW ENGINE, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER OF AN OIL GELLING CONDITION THAT MAY OCCUR. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM EXPENSES INCURRED FOR OIL GELLING CONDITION. *TT

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Matching rule