Owners have filed 53 complaints
about the 1993 Lexus ES300 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2016.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Lexus ES300. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
28.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frontal
627.3%
AIR Conditioner
418.2%
Gasoline
313.6%
Engine
313.6%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
29.1%
Automatic Transmission
29.1%
Control Module
14.5%
Interior/Under Dash
14.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
215.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
215.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
646.2%
150,000+ miles
17.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1995peak 5Apr 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 87,000 milesArtesia, CAFire
STEERING
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 DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10317667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NY, KS1 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
DD.
NHTSA complaint #10284247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesLA Crescenta, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM GETTING AN OIL LEAK REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10073869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downers Grove, ILCrash1 injured
SEATS
WAS REAR-ENDED, POWER SEAT SKIPPED TRACK AND RECLINED ON IMPACT, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION--LEXUS DEALER WAS CONTACTED--MCGRATH LEXUS IN WESTMONT,IL THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR BUT DID NOT REALLY EXAMINE ANYTHING, IE; THEY DID NOT TAKE ANYTHING APART--CAR WAS TOTALLED BY STATE FARM INS. CAUSED INJURY TO THE PASSENGER, WHOSE SEAT BROKE, THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS BAD HAD THE SEAT STAYED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION
NHTSA complaint #700929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raliegh, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOVLED IN A 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO RECEIVE BURNS ON HIS CHIN/CHEST AND THE UPPER AND LOWER PARTS OF RIGHT ARM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #816498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort LEE, NJCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN HEAD-ON COLLISION, SPEED UNDETERMINED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, IMPACT 11:OO.
NHTSA complaint #814263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 293,095 milesCaruthers, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10862183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesArtesia, CAFire
STEERING
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 DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10317667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NY, KS1 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
DD.
NHTSA complaint #10284247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesGlenolden, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE NEEDLES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVE ALL BURNED OUT. UPDATED 09/05/07.
NHTSA complaint #10196030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesBaltimore, MD
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE FAILED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 12/05/06.
NHTSA complaint #10173390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE FAILED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 12/05/06.
NHTSA complaint #10173390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
STRUCTURE
MALFUNCTION IN DESIGN OF DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOW ON GAS, THE NEEDLES CEASE TO LIGHT AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW JUST HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT. THE CONSUMER HAS TO FILL THE GAS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE TO SEE MUCH GAS IS LEFT, NOT ONLY CAN THE CONSUMER NOT SEE THE GAS, BUT THIS ALSO AFFECTED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE DESIGN OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS UNSOUNDED AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10097335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesLA Crescenta, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM GETTING AN OIL LEAK REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10073869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE "SURGING" THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE MEDIA ON MY 1993 LEXUS ES300 MANY TIMES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 1995. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED (AT IDLE). I HAVE THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND THE CAR ENGINE INCREASES IN RPM'S. SOMETIMES IT IS A POWERFUL SURGE THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. USUALLY, I NOTICE THIS OCCURRING AND PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10060842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesBaltimore, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN EARLY MODELS OF LEXUS AND IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH IT CAUSE PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED BY LEXUS DEARLER IN 1996 @ 40,000 MILES NOW IT IS AGAIN GIVING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10043147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN EARLY MODELS OF LEXUS AND IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH IT CAUSE PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED BY LEXUS DEARLER IN 1996 @ 40,000 MILES NOW IT IS AGAIN GIVING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10043147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,495 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10026659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,495 milesJacksonville, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10026659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,495 milesJacksonville, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10026659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,495 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10026659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesWinnetka, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A CLOUD OF BLUE SMOKE COMES OUT WHEN I FIRST START MY CAR IN THE MORNING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE 3.0 LITER ENGINES HAVE SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10002903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND LIGHTING OF THE NEEDLES BLACKED OUT, CREATES DRIVING HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #765430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pepper Pike, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER STATES THAT DASHBOARD AREA IS DIM CAUSING LOSS OF ILLUMINATION TO THE NEEDLES ON THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND GAS GAUGE.
NHTSA complaint #564406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pepper Pike, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER STATES THAT DASHBOARD AREA IS DIM CAUSING LOSS OF ILLUMINATION TO THE NEEDLES ON THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND GAS GAUGE.
NHTSA complaint #564406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #8005413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN OIL LEAK, DEALER REPLACED THE O-RING. TWO MONTHS LATER THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE FROZE UP ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8005414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pepper Pike, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED, AND DRIVER COULD NOT SEE GAUGES DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS COULD BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, $600 - $1,000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenview, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES AT TIMES.ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PLASTIC RETAINER HAS BROKEN AND HAS A SHARP PROTRUDING EDGE WHICH IN AN ACCIDENT MAY PROVE VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #755766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerqu, NM
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKGROUND LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION OF THE NEEDLE INDICATORS BLACKED OUT AND CREATES POOR VISIBILITY, DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT PAYMENT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #557702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Caldwell, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGH SPEED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM INDICATE THAT DEFECTIVE WIRE ON A SENSOR IS THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #874120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.