72 of the 862 complaints filed about the Lexus ES300 are about the electrical system — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
72
Complaints
8%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
8
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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).
NHTSA complaint #11218107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DRIVER HEADLIGHT KEEPS SHORTING OUT.I BOUGHT ANOTHER BULB AND SAME PROBLEM .
NHTSA complaint #11202717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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 MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #11088394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO GAUGES HAVE STOPPED ILLUMINATING. A THIRD IS ABOUT TO GO. I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEED AT NIGHT WHICH LIMITS USE OF THE VEHICLE THE CAR IS 18 YEARS OLD WITH 118,000 MILES AND RIDES BEAUTIFULLY BUT IT SEEMS THAT IS TOO SOON FOR A LUXURY CAR TO LOSE USE OF SUCH VITAL FUNCTIONS. FROM RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE,IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT LATER MODEL CLUSTERS CAN BE REPAIRED BUT THE 1995'S HAVE TO BE REPLACED EXCLUSIVELY BY LEXUS AT AN EXORBITANT COST.
NHTSA complaint #10557353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR EXPLODED AND STARTED FIRE IN THE GARAGE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. GOT HOME FROM WORK AND STOP AT GROCERY STORE. PARKED CAR IN GARAGE AND BROUGHT IN SOME GROCERIES. ABOUT 10 - 15 MINUTES LATER WENT OUT TO GET PAPER PRODUCTS (TP AND PAPER TOWELS) OUT OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, NO SMOKE, NO FIRE, NO NOISE. WENT IN SIDE PUT AWAY EVERYTHING AND STARTED TO COOK. HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE. WENT TO THE GARAGE AND OPENED THE DOOR. HOT, HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND CHEMICAL ODOR CAME POURING INTO THE HOUSE. I COULD SEE FLAMES TO THE LEFT. IT WAS VERY HOT AND THERE WAS SOME LIQUID MIXED IN, AND THE GARAGE WAS PITCH BLACK YET IT WAS A VERY SUNNY DAY WITH THE SUN POINTING AT THE GARAGE. BECAUSE IT WAS SO DARK, IT LOOKED LIKE THE GARAGE DOORS WERE CLOSED, BUT ACTUALLY, ONE SIDE WAS OPEN, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW BECAUSE IT WAS SO BLACK. COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING, AND MY ARM WAS SO HOT TRYING TO OPEN GARAGE DOOR AT WALL SWITCH, BURNED ALL THE HAIR OFF MY ARM. I THEN LEFT HOUSE, 911 WAS ON THE WAY. GARAGE CAUGHT ON FIRE, EVERYTHING IN GARAGE BURNED OR MELTED, INCLUDING MY CAR. INTERIOR HALL, ALL FIXTURES IN HALL AND BATH BURNT OR MELTED, EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO ENTIRE HOME. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ALMOST 10 MONTHS IN A HOTEL. CARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO EXPLODE OR START FIRE WHEN THEY ARE OFF, PARKED FOR 20 MINUTES IN YOUR GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10491604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ALL THE TAIL LIGHT WERE OFF AND I FOUND THE FUSE FOR TAIL LIGHT WAS BLEW. SO I REPLACED THE FUSE. NEXT DAY,WHEN I TURNED ON HEADLIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 680, THE "R" INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD BECAME ON AS WELL -- NOW BOTH "D" AND "R" WERE ON. IT PUZZLED ME FOR AWHILE SO I DECIDED TO TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHT. AS SOON AS THE HEADLIGHT WAS TURNED OFF , THE CAR "HESITATED" ON FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE WHO CLAIMED THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. AFTER 3 DAYS OF SERVICES, THEY SAID SOME WIRES WERE CROSSED AND CHARGED $581 FOR REPLACING THOSE FAULTY WIRES AND ONE CONTROLLER. THE CAR IS ONLY 13 YEAR OLD AND ABOUT 100 K MILES. I WOULD DEFINITELY CLASSIFY THIS ACCIDENT AS A DEFECT BY MANUFACTURE. I WANT TO FILE THIS COMPLIANT TO SEE ANY OTHER ES300 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10446065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD, AND MY 2000 LEXUS ES300 RPM WENT DOWN TO 0 AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR PILEUP WITH INJURIES. I HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIIC CAR WOULDN'T START. AFTER, GETTING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, IT IS COSTLY TO REPLACE AND A PROBLEM WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL 2000 LEXUS ES300. THIS IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I FOUND OUT A FAULTY IAC VALVE CAN CAUSE YOUR CAR TO STALL ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME. I AM THANKFUL NO ONE, AS WELL AS MYSELF WAS INJURED, BUT I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE NEXT PERSON THIS MAY HAPPEN TO. THE PART COST ABOUT 200 DOLLARS AND THE LABOR IS APPROXIMATELY 300 DOLLARS. THIS HAPPENED ON WED. 08/10/2011 AND THE PART HAS TO BE ORDERED DUE TO COST. AS A RESULT, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE BECAUSE OF EXPENSE. THERE SHOULD REALLY BE A RECALL AND THIS A SAFETY HAZARD; ESPECIALLY IF THE DRIVER{S) BEHIND ME HAD BEEN SPEEDING OR NOT PAYING ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10420061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 SHORTED OUT, REPLACED & CLEARED LIGHTS, CHARGE 45.00 FOR VALVE; 02/16/2006 NOW OUT OF WARRANTY; AGAIN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER SHORTED OUT AND WAS REPLACED $362.52; 08/30/2006 BANK 1 SENSOR 1 OXYGEN SENSOR SHORTED OUT, REPLACED SENSOR $280.56; 10/29/09 DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED CODE P0420 CATALYST SYSTEM BELOW THRESHOLD ON BANK 1, NEED TO REPLACE..$124.95 FOR DIAGNOSTICS CHECK; REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER 1,831.19; 05/13/10 CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTION $434.25. MALFUNCTION FIRST OCCURRED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND DEALER DID NOT SUGGEST REPLACEMENT PART DURING THAT TIME. NOT UNTIL AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, DID LEXUS EXPRESS CONCERN FOR REPLACE OF PARTS. NOW THE ISSUE HAS AROSE AGAIN AND I DON'T FELL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ISSUES ARISING FROM THE SAME MALFUNCTION. I HAVE ALL SERVICE REPORTS FROM THE DEALER TO DOCUMENT ALL OF THESE OCCASIONS AND MY SERVICE HISTORY FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE RELATED TO THE TRAC OFF & CK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM LEXUS OF WILMINGTON AND FEEL THEY SHOULD NOW TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS THAT, MOST LIKELY, SHOULD HAVE COMMENCED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD.
NHTSA complaint #10381931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1994 LEXUS ES300 INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER,TACHOMETER,FUEL,AND TEMP),NEEDLES HAVE GONE OUT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ GAUGES AT NIGHT OR IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10324629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10313124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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."
NHTSA complaint #10312992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 TRAGEDY OCCURRED TO OUR LEXUS CAR, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY FOR ALL LEXUS SEDAN ESPECIALLY ES 300 DRIVING BY CONSUMERS OUT THERE. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE LEFT THE CAR FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT IN FIRE, BUT MENTALLY SHE WAS STILL IN SHOCK WITH IT. WE DID CONTACT LEXUS TO FILE A COMPLAIN, AND THEY SAID AN ADJUSTER WILL CONTACT US NEXT 10 DAYS TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE CASE. IT'S MORE THAN 3 WEEKS AND WE STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM LEXUS. OF COURSE, OUR LEXUS ES 300 IS A TOTAL LOSS NOW, BUT WE REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATING AND LOOKING INTO THIS CASE FOR THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS AND DEMAND LEXUS TO INVESTIGATE AND ANSWER US AND THE PUBLIC THE CAUSE FOR A SUDDEN CAUGHT IN FIRE. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #10308741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS ALSO OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN YOU USE THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS TO SIGNAL FOR A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE MAKES THIS CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AT ANY SPEED. DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS ON COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE OR OTHER VEHICLES AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE JM LEXUS' SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE WIPER SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10299930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10280573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLES BURNED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10269100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE INSTRUMENTS CANNOT BE SEEN IF THERE IS ANY LIGHT COMING INTO THE CAR. THE RED POINTERS CANNOT BE SEEN. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I SEE THAT IT HAS BEEN KNOWN SINCE 2002 BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT. I WONDER JUST WHY?? I DON'T LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO KNOW JUST HOW FAST I AM GOING, FUEL QUANTITY ETC!!
NHTSA complaint #10258894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE NEEDS FUEL, WHAT SPEED HE IS TRAVELING, OR IF THERE IS ANY FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND SENT TO THE FACTORY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. HE BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE ALL OF THE GAUGES SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF U[DATED 10/30/08.
NHTSA complaint #10244003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
CURRENTLY HAVE 1995 LEXUS ES300. THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY HAS STOPPED ILLUMINATING WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. BEING A PHYSICIAN I SEE MANY PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS WITH FULLY FUNCTIONAL CARS. SEEING YOUR SPEED AT NIGHT IS IMPERATIVE, AND I BELIEVE IT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEXUS TO SUBMIT A RECALL TO HAVE THE THOUSANDS OF UNITS REPAIR BEFORE COUNTLESS ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND DEATHS OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #10230074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.