1993 Lexus ES300 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Lexus ES300, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical817.4%
- Airbags817.4%
- Engine715.2%
- Interior & seats613.0%
- Heating & air conditioning48.7%
- Tires & wheels36.5%
- Transmission24.3%
- Driver assistance24.3%
- Seat belts12.2%
- Steering12.2%
- Visibility12.2%
- Fuel system12.2%
- Body & structure12.2%
- Exterior lighting12.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE NEEDLES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVE ALL BURNED OUT. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DD. *TR
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON. CONSUMER WILL COMPLETE COMPLAINT FORM.*AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON DUE TO SPIRAL CABLE AND AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE. *YH
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE "SURGING" THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE MEDIA ON MY 1993 LEXUS ES300 MANY TIMES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 1995. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED (AT IDLE). I HAVE THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND THE CAR ENGINE INCREASES IN RPM'S. SOMETIMES IT IS A POWERFUL SURGE THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. USUALLY, I NOTICE THIS OCCURRING AND PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD.
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN . *AK CONSUMER ADDED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONER, AND A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN BECAUSE OF POOR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A RADIATOR ALTHOUGH THE LEAKS WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE WATER PUMP *LA THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE FAILED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB
INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND LIGHTING OF THE NEEDLES BLACKED OUT, CREATES DRIVING HAZARD.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN . *AK CONSUMER ADDED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONER, AND A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN BECAUSE OF POOR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A RADIATOR ALTHOUGH THE LEAKS WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE WATER PUMP *LA THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. *JB
THE CONSUMER HAVE HAD PERSISTENT MOLD AND BAD ORDER COMING FROM AIR CONDITION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE TREAD TIRE BY GOODYEAR ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED CAUSED TERRIBLE TIRE PULLS SO LONG UNABLE TO ROTATE TIRES.LEXUS REFUSES TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WITH A CORRECT TIRE WITH NO CHARGE. IT IS RISKY TO KEEP DRIVING ES300 WITH DEFECTIVE TIRE, CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS A GOODYEAR TIRE DEALER WARNED ME.PLEASE TREAT THIS AS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM AND ASK LEXUS/GOODYEAR TO REPLACE IT FREE AS THEY COVERED UP THE DEFECT WHEN I BOUGHT ES300. IT WILL BE TOO LATE AFTER AN ACCIDENT. APPRECIATING YOUR QUICK REMEDY! HARRY( DOT NUMBER: )
IF THIS FAULTY TIRE MANUFACTURING DESIGN WAS THE GOODYEAR TIRE'S PRACTISE THAT COULD CAUSE THE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, INSTEAD OF COVERING UP THE DEFECTIVE FACT, IT SHOULD BE BRIEFED TO FEDERAL AUTORITIES UNDER TODAY'S POLITICAL CLIMATE. AS THE LEXUS WAS THE COLLABORATED SELLER OF THE TIRES, YOU SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE ILLEGAL TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: N/A )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR IS IN HORRIBLE CONDITION I HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS AND I HAVE HAD IT 1 MONTH. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY, WHEN PUT IN GEAR, IT HESITATES THEN JUMPS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER: SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT LIGHT UP. IT STARTS FLICKERING WITH FULL LIGHT INTENSITY, WHICH MAKES ME USE LOWER LIGHT INTENSITY TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDLES. WITH LOW LIGHT INTENSITY IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER, SPEED, TEMP, FUEL WHEN SUN IS IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE INSTRUMENT IS TO TURN THE LIGHT TO FULL INTENSITY, AND THEN THE NEEDLES START FLICKERING. THIS CREATES A LOT OF DISTRACTION AND PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, MAY RESULT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN EARLY MODELS OF LEXUS AND IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH IT CAUSE PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED BY LEXUS DEARLER IN 1996 @ 40,000 MILES NOW IT IS AGAIN GIVING PROBLEMS. *LA
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGH SPEED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM INDICATE THAT DEFECTIVE WIRE ON A SENSOR IS THE CAUSE. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES AT TIMES.ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PLASTIC RETAINER HAS BROKEN AND HAS A SHARP PROTRUDING EDGE WHICH IN AN ACCIDENT MAY PROVE VERY DANGEROUS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT 1993 ES300 LEXUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45MPH AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO SMOKE. UPON PULLING OVER THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HE STATED THAT THE STEERING FLUID CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED OVER TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT STILL HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER AS OF THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT . THE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WERE IN SHOCK BUT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDOWS CONTINUALLY GET A HEAVY FILM ON THE INSIDE. DEALER CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY. AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AT 70,000 MILES. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE AIRBAG AT MY COST OF $700. DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE. WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. HAD TO REPLACE REGULATOR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN . *AK CONSUMER ADDED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONER, AND A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN BECAUSE OF POOR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A RADIATOR ALTHOUGH THE LEAKS WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE WATER PUMP *LA THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MALFUNCTION IN DESIGN OF DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOW ON GAS, THE NEEDLES CEASE TO LIGHT AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW JUST HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT. THE CONSUMER HAS TO FILL THE GAS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE TO SEE MUCH GAS IS LEFT, NOT ONLY CAN THE CONSUMER NOT SEE THE GAS, BUT THIS ALSO AFFECTED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE DESIGN OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS UNSOUNDED AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE POOR VISIBILITY. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .