RoadVitals

1991 Lexus ES250

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.
13
Latest Sep 30, 2004
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 Feb 11, 2010
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.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Lexus ES250, most frequently naming the body & structure, interior & seats and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 21 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

  • Body & structure318.8%
  • Interior & seats318.8%
  • Driver assistance212.5%
  • Engine212.5%
  • Visibility212.5%
  • Powertrain (other)16.3%
  • Suspension16.3%
  • Transmission16.3%

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
10E002000

SUSPENSION

Feb 11, 2010
12,657 units potentially affected
The defect: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
RIDE CONTROL, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA97008ClosedEngineering Analysis

LEAKING FUEL TANK

Opened Apr 23, 1997
Closed Apr 22, 1998

CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE97003ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LEAKING FUEL TANK

Opened Jan 21, 1997
Closed Apr 23, 1997

CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 30, 2004

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED. SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER PRODUCED THIS PART ANYMORE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10094779
Incident
Sep 30, 2004
Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAID FOR IT. THE DEALER HAD RECENTLY DONE WORK ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. THERE WERE NO BURN MARKS AROUND THE ENGINE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE PASSENGERS DOOR WHERE THE BRAKES WERE LOCATED. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE DEALER DID NOT SEAT THE BRAKES PROPERLY AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10064900
Incident
Mar 25, 2004
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Jun 16, 2004

POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS DO NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10078337
Incident
Jun 12, 2004
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Nov 25, 2003

ON A VERY SUNNY DAY THE POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR CONTROLS STOP WORKING. WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR FOR 8 TO 10 MILES AND STOP THE CAR AND TRY OPENING THE DOOR AND THEN TRY THE POWER WINDOW IT STARTS TO WORK. IT FEELS THAT AS IF THE HEAT BUILDS UP IN THE CAR ON A HOT DAY AND CONTROLS STOP WORKING BUT WHEN I DRIVE AROUND THE CAR COOLS OFF AND CONTROLS SEEM TO WORK. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS BEHAVIOR IN THE COLD WEATHER. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047524
Incident
Nov 20, 2003
Mileage
40 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 21, 2000

AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED TO RELEASE REAR LEFT SIDE DOOR. WOULD TRY MANUALLY & IT STILL FAILED TO RELEASE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT E ENTIRE LOCKING SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
860728
Incident
Mar 22, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 21, 2000

THE KEY DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS. *CJ

NHTSA ID
784008
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 1996

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

NHTSA ID
509990
Incident
Sep 13, 1996
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Aug 8, 1996

VEHICLES HAS HAIR LINE FRACTURE IN CV JOINT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
800663
Incident
Jul 1, 1994

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-0048-08 Obs

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TSB: Replacement Certification Labels. OBSOLETE NOTICE November 28, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0179-17.

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 ES250 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023100—
2022000—
2021000—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—
1996100—
1995100—
1993100—
1992100—
1991Viewing131245.2
1990912—

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.