RoadVitals

1999 Lexus ES

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Oct 26, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Lexus ES, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Electrical225.0%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%
  • Seat belts112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2020
Fire reported

WIFE DROVE LEXUS 2 MILES TO BAKERY, CRUST N'CRUMBS AT 1370 N MAIN ROAD, VINELAND, NJ. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF BAKERY, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME. I DROVE THERE AND RAISED THE HOOD. 2 COIL PACKS WERE ON FIRE (ABOUT A 2 INCH FLAME) AND THE HOOD INSULATION WAS SMOULDERING. I BLEW OUT THE TWO FIRES AND PUT WATER ON THE COILS AND HOOD INSULATION. THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WAS NOT REPORTED TO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

NHTSA ID
11366453
Incident
Oct 17, 2020
Mileage
175,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 26, 2007

ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 22, 2007 THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ON 1999 LEXUS ES300 WOULD NOT BUCKLE AS THE FEMALE(CONSOLE SIDE)PART OF THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETURN ALL THE WAY UP -THE RED BUTTON REMAINED PART WAY DOWN. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A LEXUS PART NO. 73240-33010-A0, BELT ASSY, FRT ST ,BY THE COMPLAINANT AND UPON EXAMINATION OF THE REMOVED PART , A BROKEN OFF PIECE OF RED PLASTIC SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THAT OF THE BUCKLE RELEASE WAS CAUGHT IN THE ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE PIECE OF RED PLASTIC WAS REMOVED FROM THE ASSEMBLY, THE LATCH(BUCKLE) AGAIN APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. THIS FAILURE RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL IT COULD BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10206965
Incident
Oct 22, 2007
Mileage
48,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES 300. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ROD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10192907
Incident
May 22, 2007
Mileage
85,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 25, 2006

AUDIO DISPLAY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FADED OUT. THIS PROBLEM IS HAVING TO A LOT OF 98-99 LEXUS ES300 MODELS. CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FOR CONSUMERS EVEN THEY KNOW THIS IS A FAILURE TO MANY VEHICLE OWNERS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10174242
Incident
Nov 12, 2006
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2006
Fire reported

DURING A DRIVE HOME, THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED COMING TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP. THE PANEL LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE ABS. IT THEN RETURNED TO RUNNING SMOOTHLY> I RETURNED HOME WITHIN I MILE WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS, NO ODOR OR PANEL SIGNS SHOWING. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO OUR GARAGE AND TURNED OFF, WITHIN MINUTES MY HUSBAND SAW THE CAR ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT PUT OUT THE FIRE AND THE CAR BECAME A TOTAL LOSS. CALLS TO LEXUS AND FOLLOW-UP WITH TOYOTA WERE NOT ANSWERED AT ALL, NO COMMENT. HAS THERE BEEN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WITH THAT MODEL CAR? THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162264
Incident
Jun 6, 2006
Mileage
31,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 27, 2006

SUDDEN ACCELERATION - CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, IT WOULD NOT TURN-OFF BUT INSTEAD THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN FROM 55 TO 90 MPH. *NM

NHTSA ID
10160844
Incident
Mar 23, 2006
Mileage
113,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 11, 2006
Fire reported

THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO LEXUS & THEY DENIED FAULT OR OBLIGATION TO ASSIST ME: I SPOKE WITH HEATHER STAFFORD WHO ASKED ME TO CALL 800-348-2788 TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED BY A LEXUS IN CHARLESTON SC. I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SERVICE MNGR: DARYL WOULD CALL ME BACK BUT I NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE. LIFE-THREATENING EXPERIENCE INVOLVED THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 1999 LEXUS ES300, THURSDAY, 3/9/06. I HAD SET MY CRUISE ON 50 MPH AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN UP TO 88 MPH. I DEPRESSED THE CRUISE TO TURN IT OFF WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HELD THE BRAKES DOWN, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH AND THE CAR STILL WOULDN'T STOP. FEARING FOR MY LIFE AND LOOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND HEARD THE ENGINE MAKE A LOUD, DISTRESSING NOISE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND WOULDN'T RESTART, SO I CALLED THE ONLY TOW TRUCK IN THE AREA. TOWED TO CONWAY, BUMPER TO BUMPER IMPORT AUTOS AND THE MECHANIC: DALE SAID I HAD BLOWN THE MOTOR. I ASKED HIM, WHAT CAUSED IT, HE SAID IT'S OBVIOUSLY RELATED TO THE OVER-STRESSED ENGINE BEING STOPPED SO ABRUPTLY WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. HE MENTIONED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT AND HE ADDED HIS STATEMENT ON THE INVOICE: CRUISE CONTROL WIRING CAUSED STICKING THROTTLE. LEXUS VEHICLES HAD REPORTED PROBLEMS IN NY TIMES FOR RECALLS FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION, SO MY CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEREFORE, I EXPECT LEXUS TO REFUND ME THE TOTAL EXPENSES BELOW INCURRED DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT: CAR INFO:[XXX]ENGINE: V6 MOTOR REPLACED $2400.00 LABOR/ADDITIONAL PARTS $1500.00 RENTAL CARS $ 288.00 TIME LOSS FROM WORK 3DAYS X 8HRS = 24HRS @ 31.84 =$ 764.00 TOTAL REFUND REQUESTED=$4952.00. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10157263
Incident
Mar 9, 2006
Mileage
113,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 17, 2006

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON , AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, DEALER ATTRIBUTES THE LIGHT COMING ON TO A LOOSE WIRE LOCATED UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2003 AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES . THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 70,000 MILES AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON , I FEEL MY SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY EVERY TIME THIS LIGHT COMES. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155523
Incident
Jun 10, 2003
Mileage
35,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

Lexus PRO19-02 -

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

Lexus Safety Re

EQUIPMENT

Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

L-SB-0008-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 93, and PG002-90. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1990 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.

L-SB-0179-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

L-SB-0179-17

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, and PG002-90. Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, and PG002-90 are obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Vehicle replacement certification labels (vinyl label installed on driver door or door post) and VIN lates (metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Lexus, provided the request meets one of the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus ES by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025410
2024920
2023102065.8
2022800
2021281051.4
2020181056.8
2019341053.0
2018500
2017200
2016900
2015500
2014400
2013330049.1
2012310054.1
2011460046.4
2010410044.0
2009280049.3
2008680150.0
20071250149.7
2006120029.7
2005580154.8
2004160043.6
2003230054.1
2002270054.2
2001200
2000600
1999Viewing810
1998110
1997210
1996100
1995000
1994000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.