RoadVitals

1992 Lexus ES300

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.
37
Latest Dec 27, 2015
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 23, 1994
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.
5
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 37 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Lexus ES300, most frequently naming the interior & seats, airbags and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 26 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

  • Interior & seats716.7%
  • Airbags614.3%
  • Transmission511.9%
  • Body & structure49.5%
  • Powertrain (other)49.5%
  • Engine49.5%
  • Visibility24.8%
  • Driver assistance24.8%

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
94V039000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Feb 23, 1994
16,036 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MECHANISM HAS A NARROW CLEARANCE BETWEEN INTERNAL PARTS WHICH, OVER TIME, ACCUMULATE DUST OR OTHER FOREIGN MATTER AND CAUSE THE LATCH TO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING, BLOCKING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: LEXUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH.
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 37
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2015
2 injuries reported

CAR WAS GOING 35 MPH ON A STRAIGHT, DRY, PAVED, FLAT STREET WHEN THE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN FACIAL ABRASIONS AND SUDDEN HEARING LOSS IN BOTH EARS WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. TOYOTA MAINTAINS CAR WAS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY. CAR WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO A LEXUS SPECIALIST WHO BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE MOISTURE ON FLOOR OF BACKSEAT. I ADVISED HIM TO STOP AND SO VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED AT TIME OF SUBSEQUENT FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST'S INSPECTION. LEXUS HAS REMAINED UNRESPONSIVE IN LIGHT OF ABOVE EXPLANATION. CAR CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE CAR WITHOUT AN AIRBAG. HEARING LOSS REMAINS IN SPITE OF EXPENSIVE NEW HEARING AIDS.

NHTSA ID
10816356
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
141,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 3, 2015
1 injury reported

AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE GOING APPROX 30 MPH ON A FLAT DRY PAVED ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714250
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
141,835 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 10, 2015
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SWERVED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED, EMITTING A SMOKEY SUBSTANCE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACE AND EAR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,800.

NHTSA ID
10693305
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
141,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 17, 2013

DRIVING NORTHBOUND FROM GILROY ON THE 101 FREEWAY, I WAS IN THE SECOND LANE FROM THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHEN THE HOOD SPRUNG OPEN BLINDING MY VIEW AND SCARING THE CRAP OUT OF PASSENGERS AND I. I STARTED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO VISUAL OF WHAT WAS IN FROM OF MY VIEW, THE SURROUNDING CARS IMMEDIATELY TOOK NOTICE OF MY FULLY EXTENDED WHITE HOOD DUE TO IT WAS STANDING STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR, THE WINDSHIELD INSTANTLY SHATTERED OUTWARDS AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, WINDSHIELD REPLACED, THE HOOD WAS A USED HOOD THAT IN NOT SAFE FOR USE IF ACCIDENT THE HOOD WOULD SLICE MY HEAD OFF. A LOT OF PARTS ARE STILL DAMAGED FROM THE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508499
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Mar 11, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS ES 300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT HOOD RELEASED IN AN OPEN POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142366.

NHTSA ID
10319053
Incident
Mar 4, 2010
Mileage
142,366 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 30, 2008

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY POPPED OPEN DAMAGING THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253300
Incident
Dec 27, 2008
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2007

WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING A LITTLE FUNNY. AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER GAVE AN ACCURATE READING AND ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS SLOW. I COMPARED A FEW DISTANCES AND THE CAR'S SPEEDOMETER ONLY RECORDED HALF OF THE ACTUAL MILEAGE TRAVELED. THE LIGHTS ON THE NEEDLES ARE FLICKERING AND THE GAS LIGHT NEEDLE IS COMPLETELY OUT. IT IS VERY HARD TO KNOW AT WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING, AS WELL AS EVEN KNOW IF I HAVE ENOUGH FUEL, WITHOUT TURNING ON THE CABIN LIGHT. THIS SPEEDOMETER ISSUE HAS BECOME A REAL PROBLEM, I CAN'T CONTROL MY SPEED AND I AM CONSTANTLY DISTRACTED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182240
Incident
Jan 28, 2007
Mileage
106,775 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2005

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V039000 CONCERNING HOOD LATCH. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE HOOD FLEW UP, BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. CONSUMER WAS LATER ADVISED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE HOOD LATCH. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117598
Incident
Apr 1, 2005
Mileage
206,000 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-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-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-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 ES300 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013500—
2006300—
2005100—
20031160458.0
20021532464.9
2001290047.8
2000560150.0
1999270143.7
1998521154.5
1997452157.7
1996371154.8
1995381046.3
1994391044.8
1993430041.3
1992Viewing371047.6
1991000—

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.