U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Lexus ES300: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

116 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

34,950 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 82 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 43 of 116 complaints (37.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	28	24.1%
Transmission and shifting	25	21.6%
Electrical and battery issues	6	5.2%
Engine operation	2	1.7%
Steering behavior	2	1.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Vehicle Speed Control

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Air Bags

Power Train

Electrical System

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal

Engine

Fuel System, Gasoline

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Vehicle Speed Control	43
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	19
Air Bags	9
Power Train	7
Electrical System	6
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	6
Engine	5
Fuel System, Gasoline	5

Vehicle Speed Control: 43; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 19; Air Bags: 9; Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 6; Engine: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2018

2019

2002: 1; 2003: 15; 2004: 39; 2005: 9; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 8; 2009: 1; 2010: 20; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 5

Pattern summary

Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 25 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10016689 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016689 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10019094 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)

THE NEW 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION ON MY '03 LEXUS SEEMS A LITTLE STRANGE. IF I DRIVE ABOUT 35 MPH AND THEN SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH AND THAN TRY TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A HESITATION. IT'S AS IF THE TRANSMISSION CAN NOT DECIDE ON WHAT GEAR TO GO INTO. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES THERE'S A SLIGHT LURCH FORWARD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019094 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10019235 · 2003-05-24 (May 24, 2003)

THE TRANSMISSION OF THE LEXUS 2003 ES300 IS SUBJECT TO MAJOR HESITATION, PARTICULARLY IN CROWDED INTERSECTIONS AND WITH LACK OF ACCELERATION. VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 27 MPH, AND THEN NEEDING TO MOVE, THERE IS MAJOR DELAY IN THE SIGNAL TELLING THE ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION TO WORK TOGETHER, AND MOVE THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS NEW WITH ABOUT 1000 MILES. IT CANNOT MAKE UP ITS MIND TO UPSHIFT OR DOWNSHIFT AND THIS DELAY WILL MEAN A MAJOR CRASH SOMEDAY. AROUND 40 MPH IT WANTS TO UPSHIFT TO THE 5TH GEAR, AND JUST BELOW THAT HUNTS TO GO B…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019235 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10019684 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)

THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS PICKING UP SPEED, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH SOMETHING WAS TICKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LEXUS MANUFACTURE AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS CALLED " THE HAZARD COMPUTER MODULE CONTROL" BUT DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR IT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019684 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020250 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. ON ONE OCCASION THIS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK *CB *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020250 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020695 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)

HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. I NOTICE THE VEHICLE LACKS THE ABILITY TO PICK UP SPEED FROM A SLOW DOWN OR DEAD STOP. I FEEL THIS IN 1ST-3RD GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DECELERATION SPEED OR STOP. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND IS CAUSE FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH A CLICKING, WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR MAKING SLOW TURNS.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,449 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020695 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10032267 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032267 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10038360 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS.*MR THE CONSUMER WANTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INCREASE THE SOUND OF THE TURNING SIGNALS WHEN ACTIVATED, AND THE SIGNALS TURNING OFF ONCE THE TURN WAS COMPLETED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE TURN SIGNALS. *PH *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038360 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

116 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

70.7%Usable mileage82 / 116 records

97.4%Valid incident date113 / 116 records

100.0%Valid filing date116 / 116 records

97.4%Ordered incident and filing dates113 / 116 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	5,000–78,000 mi	38,000 mi	33	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 ↗ ODI 10061725 · 20 mi WHILE PARKING CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING A BUILDING. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AK Look up ODI 10061725 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10061791 · 2,850 mi THE VEHICLE LUNGED UPON PARKING. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A WALL. THE FRONT END REPAIRS COST $2,275.00. AK (SUDDEN ACCELERATION) SC JB Look up ODI 10061791 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	625–11,793 mi	2,225 mi	14	ODI 10019094 · 20 mi THE NEW 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION ON MY '03 LEXUS SEEMS A LITTLE STRANGE. IF I DRIVE ABOUT 35 MPH AND THEN SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH AND THAN TRY TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A HESITATION. IT'S AS IF THE TRANSMISSION CAN NOT DECIDE ON WHAT GEAR TO GO INTO. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES THERE'S A SLIGHT LURCH FORWARD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NLM Look up ODI 10019094 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10019235 · 1,000 mi THE TRANSMISSION OF THE LEXUS 2003 ES300 IS SUBJECT TO MAJOR HESITATION, PARTICULARLY IN CROWDED INTERSECTIONS AND WITH LACK OF ACCELERATION. VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 27 MPH, AND THEN NEEDING TO MOVE, THERE IS MAJOR DELAY IN THE SIGNAL TELLING THE ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION TO WORK TOGETHER, AND MOVE THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS NEW WITH ABOUT 1000 MILES. IT CANNOT MAKE UP ITS MIND TO UPSHIFT OR DOWNSHIFT AND THIS DELAY WILL MEAN A MAJOR CRASH SOMEDAY. AROUND 40 MPH IT WANTS TO UPSHIFT TO THE 5TH GEAR, AND JUST BELOW THAT HUNTS TO GO B… Look up ODI 10019235 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10020695 · 2,449 mi HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. I NOTICE THE VEHICLE LACKS THE ABILITY TO PICK UP SPEED FROM A SLOW DOWN OR DEAD STOP. I FEEL THIS IN 1ST-3RD GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DECELERATION SPEED OR STOP. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND IS CAUSE FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH A CLICKING, WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR MAKING SLOW TURNS. Look up ODI 10020695 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	52,500–98,500 mi	80,000 mi	7	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 ↗ ODI 10213300 · 65,000 mi OWNER OF THE CAR WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON INTERSTATE, CROSSING A BRIDGE, TAPPED BRAKES WHEN APPROACHING SLUSH AND SNOW, LEXUS ES300 WENT INTO A SPIN, SPUN AROUND ONCE, SPUN ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ROLLING DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, ROLLING OVER TWICE AND LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN DRAINAGE DITCH. DRIVER WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN, HANGING IN SEAT BELT THAT HAD DEPLOYED THE FULL LENGTH OF THE BELT. SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER IN THE SEAT, WINDSHIELD, BACK GLASS AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. NO FRONT OR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING CRAS… Look up ODI 10213300 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10410866 · 139,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ARMS, LEGS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000. Look up ODI 10410866 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	25,000–86,541 mi	57,000 mi	5	ODI 10070981 · 1,000 mi THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE. IT JERKS, JUMPS AND ON OCCASION LURCHES AHEAD. IT WILL HESITATE WHEN STARTING FROM STAND STILL OR WHEN MOVING AHEAD AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. THEY HAVE DONE 2 COMPUTER DOWN LOADS OF A SUPPOSED FIX. THE FIRST LASTED A DAY. I'VE BEEN TOLD TO USE ONLY PREMIUM FUEL, AS THIS WOULD HELP. I'VE USED PREMIUM SINCE THAT TIME WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN THE CARS PERFOMANCE. MY WIFE DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF A NEAR T-BONE IN A CROSS PATTERN TRAFFIC. I'VE HAD… Look up ODI 10070981 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10306870 · 25,000 mi I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, LESS THAN 10 MPH, APPROACHING A RED LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. I COLLIDED WITH THE REAR END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT BOTH CARS HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *CN Look up ODI 10306870 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10462547 · 57,000 mi WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS THAT VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT STOP SIGN OR WHEN INITIALY IN START TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 20-30 MILES PER HOUR AT TIMES FOR FEW SECONDS & AT TIMES IT RATTLES 3-4 TIMES. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM LEXUS DEALER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION IN 2006 THAT CAME WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY UPTO 75000 MILES BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH SLIGHT & SMOOTH JERK ABOUT 3 YEARS BACK, TOOK IT TO DEALER AFTER NOTICED FOR FEW TIMES TO DIAGNOSIS. AT FIRST INSTANCE THEY COULD NOT FEEL IT SINCE … Look up ODI 10462547 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	49,500 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10308741 · 19,000 mi OUR 2003 LEXUS ES 300 ENGINE AREA CAUGHT IN FIRE WHEN MY WIFE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS, PARKING LOT SECURITY, HE SAW THE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN FIRE. HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING IS SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL/ENGINE AND CAUGHT THE FIRE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WHICH DAMAGED AND BURNED HALF OF THE CAR, A LEAD FIRE MAN COMMENTED THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS THAT THE LEXUS SEDANS WERE SUDDENLY CAUGHT IN FIRE WHILE PARKING. WITH THIS UNFORTUNATE… Look up ODI 10308741 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312992 · 105,110 mi RE: 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS. NO ERRORS REGISTERED. MECHANIC STATED HE THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE MEDIA BLITZ OF TOYOTA'S ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC TOOK SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM APART CLEANING THE PARTS WITH AN AIRHOSE. CONSEQUENTLY THE STALLING STOPPED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE AND "REPAIR." *TR Look up ODI 10312992 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11202717 · 1 mi MY DRIVER HEADLIGHT KEEPS SHORTING OUT.I BOUGHT ANOTHER BULB AND SAME PROBLEM . Look up ODI 11202717 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	Too few reports for a range	26,349 mi	4 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10093706 · 21,698 mi I HAVE NOW SENT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TWICE TO LEXUS OF ORLANDO ABOUT UNEXPECTED SURGING OF THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. WHEN IT DOES OCCUR THE UPSHIFT IS HARSH, THE DOWNSHIFT DELAYED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS CONFUSED ABOUT THE DRIVER'S INTENTION, AND THERE IS PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS LEAVES BOTH THE VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS EXPOSED TO ACCIDENT AND INJURY. ON MY … Look up ODI 10093706 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10137593 · 31,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR TO THE RIGHT AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO A GAS STATION. AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP, THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT LOWER SPEED TO GET HOME AND THEN GET IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING.*JB Look up ODI 10137593 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	90,284–134,000 mi	110,000 mi	5	ODI 10462547 · 57,000 mi WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS THAT VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT STOP SIGN OR WHEN INITIALY IN START TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 20-30 MILES PER HOUR AT TIMES FOR FEW SECONDS & AT TIMES IT RATTLES 3-4 TIMES. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM LEXUS DEALER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION IN 2006 THAT CAME WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY UPTO 75000 MILES BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH SLIGHT & SMOOTH JERK ABOUT 3 YEARS BACK, TOOK IT TO DEALER AFTER NOTICED FOR FEW TIMES TO DIAGNOSIS. AT FIRST INSTANCE THEY COULD NOT FEEL IT SINCE … Look up ODI 10462547 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10550509 · 134,000 mi AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FROM A LIGHT OR STOP THERE IS HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALER IN OWINGS MILLS,MD.SEVERAL TIMES.THE FIRST INSTANCE THEY SAID COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO REPEAT IT. I WENT BACK COMPLAINING FOR THE SECOND TIME A WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE FUEL INJECTORS CLOGGED FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LIST OF POTENTIAL SERVICE ITEMS FOR ABOUT $1000+ EXPENSE WHICH WE DENIEDIT SINCE WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR CAR GOOD & ALWAYSUSE 93OR 89 OCTANE GAS WITH MAINTENANCE SERVICE AS RECOMM… Look up ODI 10550509 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11088394 · 156,000 mi 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 CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND … Look up ODI 11088394 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	41,500 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10303741 · 37,547 mi ON JUNE 12 MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE 2003 LEXUS ES 300 SUDDENLY WITH A ROAR SURGED FORWARD JUMPED A PARKING BUMPER AND A HIGH SIDEWALK CURB WENT FORWARD ABOUT 6 FEET AND HIT A CONCRETE AND STEEL GIRDER STAIR CASE. THE CRASH DID OVER 5000.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND OVER 5000.00 DOLLARS TOTHE STAIRS.MY WIFE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND HAD A SORE COLLAR BONE. TR Look up ODI 10303741 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312171 · 41,500 mi MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC WHEN THERE WAS A SMALL SURGE IN ENGINE RPMS, SHE LIFTED HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR RETURN TO NORMAL. TR Look up ODI 10312171 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312992 · 105,110 mi RE: 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS. NO ERRORS REGISTERED. MECHANIC STATED HE THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE MEDIA BLITZ OF TOYOTA'S ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC TOOK SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM APART CLEANING THE PARTS WITH AN AIRHOSE. CONSEQUENTLY THE STALLING STOPPED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE AND "REPAIR." *TR Look up ODI 10312992 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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	Power Train	Electrical System	Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline
Vehicle Speed Control	—	4 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 ↗ ODI 10071794 · 5,000 mi LTR FM BRETT WOODY (TX) RE DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE PROBLEMS IN THE 2002-2003 LEXUS ES300, REPLY ATTN JAN CROW/ HOUSTON OFC. PH CONSUMER WOULD APPLY MORE AND MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. PH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. LEXUS HAD GIVEN THE CONSUMER A NEW VEHICLE AND IT HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TAPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE BUT THE RPM'S WOULD RISE AND THE VEHICLE W… Look up ODI 10071794 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312121 2003 LEXUS ES300 WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A LOW SPEED THERE IS A DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE RESPONDS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT ABRUPT DOWNSHIFT WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHER SPEEDS AND AN ABRUPT UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT DECIDE WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED A COMPUTER PATCH WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT IT USUALLY DI… Look up ODI 10312121 at NHTSA ↗	1 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	1 ODI 10312964 · 44,916 mi TL*THE 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 ↗	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	4 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 ↗ ODI 10071794 · 5,000 mi LTR FM BRETT WOODY (TX) RE DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE PROBLEMS IN THE 2002-2003 LEXUS ES300, REPLY ATTN JAN CROW/ HOUSTON OFC. PH CONSUMER WOULD APPLY MORE AND MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. PH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. LEXUS HAD GIVEN THE CONSUMER A NEW VEHICLE AND IT HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TAPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE BUT THE RPM'S WOULD RISE AND THE VEHICLE W… Look up ODI 10071794 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10312121 2003 LEXUS ES300 WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A LOW SPEED THERE IS A DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE RESPONDS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT ABRUPT DOWNSHIFT WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHER SPEEDS AND AN ABRUPT UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT DECIDE WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED A COMPUTER PATCH WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT IT USUALLY DI… Look up ODI 10312121 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	2 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 ↗ ODI 10093706 · 21,698 mi I HAVE NOW SENT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TWICE TO LEXUS OF ORLANDO ABOUT UNEXPECTED SURGING OF THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. WHEN IT DOES OCCUR THE UPSHIFT IS HARSH, THE DOWNSHIFT DELAYED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS CONFUSED ABOUT THE DRIVER'S INTENTION, AND THERE IS PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS LEAVES BOTH THE VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS EXPOSED TO ACCIDENT AND INJURY. ON MY … Look up ODI 10093706 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Air Bags	1 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	1 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	0	0
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 ↗	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10462547 · 57,000 mi WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS THAT VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT STOP SIGN OR WHEN INITIALY IN START TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 20-30 MILES PER HOUR AT TIMES FOR FEW SECONDS & AT TIMES IT RATTLES 3-4 TIMES. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM LEXUS DEALER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION IN 2006 THAT CAME WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY UPTO 75000 MILES BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH SLIGHT & SMOOTH JERK ABOUT 3 YEARS BACK, TOOK IT TO DEALER AFTER NOTICED FOR FEW TIMES TO DIAGNOSIS. AT FIRST INSTANCE THEY COULD NOT FEEL IT SINCE … Look up ODI 10462547 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10070941 THERE IS A PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FLOORED. THIS HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I LEASED THE CAR AND I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION LAPSE OR THROTTLE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I PULLED OUT TO PASS AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. LEXUS HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND OFFERED A FIX, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW SAY THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. Look up ODI 10070941 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	0	0	1 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	—	0	0	1 ODI 10312992 · 105,110 mi RE: 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS. NO ERRORS REGISTERED. MECHANIC STATED HE THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE MEDIA BLITZ OF TOYOTA'S ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC TOOK SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM APART CLEANING THE PARTS WITH AN AIRHOSE. CONSEQUENTLY THE STALLING STOPPED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE AND "REPAIR." *TR Look up ODI 10312992 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal	1 ODI 10312964 · 44,916 mi TL*THE 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 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 ↗ ODI 10093706 · 21,698 mi I HAVE NOW SENT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TWICE TO LEXUS OF ORLANDO ABOUT UNEXPECTED SURGING OF THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. WHEN IT DOES OCCUR THE UPSHIFT IS HARSH, THE DOWNSHIFT DELAYED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS CONFUSED ABOUT THE DRIVER'S INTENTION, AND THERE IS PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS LEAVES BOTH THE VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS EXPOSED TO ACCIDENT AND INJURY. ON MY … Look up ODI 10093706 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine	0	0	0	1 ODI 10462547 · 57,000 mi WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS THAT VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT STOP SIGN OR WHEN INITIALY IN START TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 20-30 MILES PER HOUR AT TIMES FOR FEW SECONDS & AT TIMES IT RATTLES 3-4 TIMES. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM LEXUS DEALER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION IN 2006 THAT CAME WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY UPTO 75000 MILES BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH SLIGHT & SMOOTH JERK ABOUT 3 YEARS BACK, TOOK IT TO DEALER AFTER NOTICED FOR FEW TIMES TO DIAGNOSIS. AT FIRST INSTANCE THEY COULD NOT FEEL IT SINCE … Look up ODI 10462547 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	1 ODI 10070941 THERE IS A PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FLOORED. THIS HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I LEASED THE CAR AND I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION LAPSE OR THROTTLE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I PULLED OUT TO PASS AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. LEXUS HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND OFFERED A FIX, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW SAY THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. Look up ODI 10070941 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10312992 · 105,110 mi RE: 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS. NO ERRORS REGISTERED. MECHANIC STATED HE THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE MEDIA BLITZ OF TOYOTA'S ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC TOOK SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM APART CLEANING THE PARTS WITH AN AIRHOSE. CONSEQUENTLY THE STALLING STOPPED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE AND "REPAIR." *TR Look up ODI 10312992 at NHTSA ↗	0	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

4 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

15 mentions · 12.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 1,000 mi (7 usable records).

ODI 10019094 · 20 mi

Look up ODI 10019094 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10041522 · 1,000 mi

TRANSMISSION IS UNPREDICTABLE. SOMETIMES IT HESITATES, SOMETIMES IT LURCHES. IT SHUDDERS AT TIMES WHEN SHIFTING. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR 2 COMPUTER DOWNLOAD FIXES. THE FIRST LASTED A DAY MAKING THE CAR SEEM LIKE THE DEMO I TEST DROVE. THE CAR WAS RETURNED AND ANOTHER FIX BY COMPUTER WAS DONE WITH NO CHANGE TO THE QUERKY, UNSAFE CONDITION OF THIS TRANSMISSION. MY WIFE WAS NEARLY BROADSIDED IN CROSS TRAFFIC PATTERN AS THE CAR HESITATED AS SHE ATTEMPED TO TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET. I HAVE HAD 4 SIMILAR SITUATIONS. THESE PROBLEM…

Look up ODI 10041522 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10056068

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JERKED AT ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AND WAS INTERMITTENT WHICH ALSO DISPLAYED A SLUGGISH DELAY. *SC *JB

Look up ODI 10056068 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

11 mentions · 9.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 5,000 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10061725 · 20 mi

WHILE PARKING CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING A BUILDING. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10061725 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10062975 · 10,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. *AK

Look up ODI 10062975 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

3 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 64,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10081822

VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.*MR THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO HIT A SIGN. DEALERSHIP CHECKED BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND NO CODES OF DEFECT. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO A MISFIRE ON THE CYLINDER. *LA

Look up ODI 10081822 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10137593 · 31,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR TO THE RIGHT AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO A GAS STATION. AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP, THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT LOWER SPEED TO GET HOME AND THEN GET IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING.*JB

Look up ODI 10137593 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10704410 · 97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN CODE WAS CLEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10704410 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 1.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 130,555 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10312992 · 105,110 mi

RE: 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS. NO ERRORS REGISTERED. MECHANIC STATED HE THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE MEDIA BLITZ OF TOYOTA'S ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC TOOK SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM APART CLEANING THE PARTS WITH AN AIRHOSE. CONSEQUENTLY THE STALLING STOPPED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE AND "REPAIR." *TR

Look up ODI 10312992 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11088394 · 156,000 mi

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 CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND …

Look up ODI 11088394 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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