FaultScore report
Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 1999 Lexus ES300 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2014. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 11 worst.
FaultScore 44/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lexus ES300.
How this is worked out35
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
85,135 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
7%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 81,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 140,000 mi
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,000 mi
Median failure at 101,067 miles
Median failure at 85,135 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ENGINE SEIZURE
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1999 LEXUS ES300. CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON TOYOTA DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT AND SUFFERED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10361992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE REVERSE POSITION. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10321066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT I WAS GOING, WITH THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE CAR RESTING AGAINST THE TREES LINING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION I WAS TRAVELING. THE IMPACT HAD BEEN EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT, AS THE VEHICLE WAS ABSOLUTELY TOTALED, WITH THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE BEING THE AREAS OF PRIMARY DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAD SIX (6) AIRBAGS, NONE OF WHICH DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY LOOKED AT BY LEXUS REPRESENTATIVES, WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, I.E., THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT, WHICH I FIND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF SAID VEHICLE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10150951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
NHTSA complaint #10001920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10627463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10627463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1999 LEXUS ES300. CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON TOYOTA DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT AND SUFFERED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10361992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE REVERSE POSITION. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10321066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CALL LEXUS AND MADE COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CAR AND THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING GETTING RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING. THEY ARE REQUESTING THAT I TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING TO FIX MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10319103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10319100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COMPLAINED TO DEALER ABOUT IMPROPER SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE, BUT CHANGED THE FLUID ANYWAY. I STILL CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER NOT TO COME BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATIONS AND NOW AT 88,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THIS IS AN U140E TRANSMISSION, WHICH HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10225778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED IN TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES UP UNTIL AND INCLUDING 1998. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT COVERED THE OLDER VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10207787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
HAD TO REPLACE EVAP CHARCOAL CANISTER ON MY LEXUS ES300, MY CO-WORKER ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THIS ON HIS RX300 ALONG WITH THE O2 SENSORS.
NHTSA complaint #10200881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
ISSUE INVOLVE 1999 LEXUS ES300 CHROME WHEELS (RIMS). FAILURES TO MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE. NUMEROUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS LEXUS KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT VEHICLE MANUFACTURE UNWILLING TO FIX THIS FAILURE, WHICH RESULT IN OWNERS PURCHASING NEW CHROME WHEELS AT $500 EACH.
NHTSA complaint #10195328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE BUCKLE HARNESSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #10159701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT I WAS GOING, WITH THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE CAR RESTING AGAINST THE TREES LINING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION I WAS TRAVELING. THE IMPACT HAD BEEN EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT, AS THE VEHICLE WAS ABSOLUTELY TOTALED, WITH THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE BEING THE AREAS OF PRIMARY DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAD SIX (6) AIRBAGS, NONE OF WHICH DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY LOOKED AT BY LEXUS REPRESENTATIVES, WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, I.E., THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT, WHICH I FIND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF SAID VEHICLE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10150951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE IAC VALVE IN THE CONSUMER'S 1999 LEXUS ES300 FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10115619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 1999 LEXUS ES-300 AUTOMOBILE THAT WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2002. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE ATLANTA AIRPORT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. JUST PRIOR TO STOPPING THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE AND THEN SIMPLY STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BY LEXUS MECHANICS I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS "OIL GEL" IN THE ENGINE AND THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10073061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONSUMER COULD TAKE THE BATTERY OUT AND REPLACE IT, AND THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON MORE THAN EIGHT TIMES IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE TWICE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10072092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10070114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10070114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
NONE OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS HOLD THE CHILD SEAT FIRMLY. WHEN THE CAR TURNS OR SWERVES LIGHTLY THE CHILD SEAT TILTS ACCORDINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10039306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHILD SEAT
NONE OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS HOLD THE CHILD SEAT FIRMLY. WHEN THE CAR TURNS OR SWERVES LIGHTLY THE CHILD SEAT TILTS ACCORDINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10039306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10010655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
MY BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A FACTORY PERSON COME CHECK MY BRAKES LAST MONTH ON 12/12/02 AND DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM. MY BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING AND I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAD THEIR LOANER SAME MODEL AND DIFFERENT YEAR-THE BRAKES DIDN'T SQUEAK AT ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE A POSSIBLE DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION. IS IT SAFE MY CAR TO SQUEAK CONSTANTLY WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BRAKES IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10000862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
MY BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A FACTORY PERSON COME CHECK MY BRAKES LAST MONTH ON 12/12/02 AND DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM. MY BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING AND I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAD THEIR LOANER SAME MODEL AND DIFFERENT YEAR-THE BRAKES DIDN'T SQUEAK AT ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE A POSSIBLE DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION. IS IT SAFE MY CAR TO SQUEAK CONSTANTLY WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BRAKES IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10000862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
MY BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A FACTORY PERSON COME CHECK MY BRAKES LAST MONTH ON 12/12/02 AND DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM. MY BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING AND I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAD THEIR LOANER SAME MODEL AND DIFFERENT YEAR-THE BRAKES DIDN'T SQUEAK AT ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE A POSSIBLE DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION. IS IT SAFE MY CAR TO SQUEAK CONSTANTLY WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BRAKES IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10000862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
NHTSA complaint #10001920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OIL GELLING DAMAGED ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #762836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.