1992 Lexus ES300 Owner Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AND WHAT SEEMED TO BE VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH UP TO DATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR THREE MONTHS. ALL BUT ABOUT 1 WEEK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP.. THE INSTRAMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY $1000 TO FIX,,, JOKE... THE POWER STEERING PUMP AMD SENSORS WENT OUT CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO FAIL CAUSED THE CAR TO SEVERLY OVERHEAT,, CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROLS CAUSING CARBON BUILDUP IN THE FUEL INJECTORS, IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE BIGGEST PEICE OF JUNK I HAVE EVER OWNED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10096210

Incident

Sep 15, 2004

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER, BECAUSE OF THE COLOR IN THE BACK GROUND. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLUORESCENT MATERIAL DRIED OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL*TS *JB

NHTSA ID

10020235

Incident

May 20, 2003

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE NEEDLES ON THE VEHICLE'S TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ARE BEGINNING TO FADE. DEALERSHIP ONLY OFFERED TO PAY 20% OF THE REPAIR COST. *MR *CB THERE WAS A 90 CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO FOG/CLOUDS, AND TRUCKS. *SCC

NHTSA ID

10026730

Incident

May 23, 2003

ILLUMINATION OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE HAS FAILED. CONSUMER CAN NOT DISCERN VEHICLE'S SPEED WHEN DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10024124

THE LIGHTS , CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE RADIATOR WAS FRIED DRIED. AND THE PISTON RINGS ARE FRIED AND TOAST AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND ADVISED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH I KNEW NOTHING OF AND THE PISTON RINGS. IF I JUST REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS, IN ABOUT A 3 MONTHS I WILL HAVE TO DO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ENGINE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO THAT. THE IDIOT LIGHTS AND GAUGES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. DT

NHTSA ID

768748

Incident

Sep 5, 2002

VEHICLE STALLS WHENEVER CONSUMER DECELERATES WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID

885859

Incident

Apr 1, 2001

DURING OIL CHANGE MECHANIC NOTICED HOOD LATCH WAS FAILING, THERE IS A RECALL BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID

885532

Incident

Apr 5, 2001

CONSUMER WAS STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF STREET WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN AND CONSUMER WAS HIT FROM BACK AT ABOUT 60 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SEAT BELT FAILED DURING COLLISION, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. SENT A LETTER TO T MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID

883140

Incident

Jan 19, 2001

THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THE SPEEDO ASSY.

NHTSA ID

729998

Incident

Jan 1, 2000

THE ELECTROCHROMIC DISPLAY LIGHTING THAT LIGHTS UP THE SPEEDOMETER HAVE FAILED, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING AT NIGHT. ALSO THE ODOMETER HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT @82,500 MILES, SMOKE FROM THE ODOMETER SHORT CAUSED DRIVER TO PANIC, AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BUT TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER WOULD COST AT LEAST $2,000. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ABSORB ALL OF THIS COST. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO NHTSA ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH... CHRIS HALL. *AK

NHTSA ID

726841

Incident

Oct 15, 1999

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER CALLED THE LEXUS DEALER, AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN TO THE NEAREST LEXUS DEALER. CONSUMER GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN THE RAMP AND WAS PUSHED A BLOCK AWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM IT. CONSUMER WASN'T SURE IF VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT AFTER REACHING SO MANY MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO OTHER ES300'S . ALSO, RADIATOR CAP BLEW OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID

858483

Incident

Mar 7, 2000

RECALL 94V039 000/HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES: HOOD UNLATCHED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY OVER WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE WINDSHIELD, ALSO, DAMAGES WAS DONE TO THE ROOF AND FENDER. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID

857528

Incident

Feb 18, 2000

SPEEDOMETER IS UNREADABLE AT NIGHT AND BARELY READABLE IN THE DAYTIME DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER (AND TACHOMETER) LIGHTS AND BACKLIGHTS *AK

NHTSA ID

719098

Incident

Jan 1, 1998

THE INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER ON THE ES300, WHICH INCLUDES THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, USES LIGHTED NEEDLES AND GAUGES. THE LIGHTING FOR THE NEEDLES AND THE GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY DIMS OR GOES OUT. THIS CAN BE A BIT FRIGHTENING AND SOMEWHAT DANGEROUS WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WE CONTACTED THE LEXUS WARRANTY COMPANY AND A DEALER. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE PART AND THAT IT WOULD COST JUST UNDER $1000.00 TO REPLACE. WE HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS (EVEN VIA THIS WEB SITE) THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM AMOUNG THE LEXUS ES300 MODELS. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO TO GET LEXUS TO FIX WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN CRAFTMANSHIP AND DESIGN AND CERTAINLY POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

715557

Incident

Nov 1, 1999

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATING HOT. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. HAD NO INDICATION A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. HAD NO LEAKING NOR WAS VEHICLE OVERHEATING. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. AK

NHTSA ID

848287

Incident

Aug 16, 1999

LEXUS USES ELECTROLUMINESCENT NEEDLES ON DASHBOARDS. THESE NEEDLES INDICATE SPEED AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. WHEN THE NEEDLES FAIL, THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES CANNOT BE READ. LEXUS INDICATED THIS IS NOT AN INFREQUENT OCCURENCE. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED, BUT THE SYSTEM IS UNSAFE IN THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR CANNOT READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS IS AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, AND IS NOT RELATED TO MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

711620

Incident

Jan 1, 1999

DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED SUDDENDLY WHEN PULLING AT DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATLEY 5-10 MPH, CAUSING CHEMICALS BURNS AND BRUISES. *AK

NHTSA ID

829810

Incident

Jan 7, 1998