1994 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 1994 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
- Seat belts919.6%
- Suspension48.7%
- Brakes48.7%
- Driver assistance48.7%
- Electrical48.7%
- Airbags36.5%
- Steering36.5%
- Tires & wheels36.5%
- Transmission36.5%
- Visibility36.5%
- Engine12.2%
- Body & structure12.2%
- Fuel system12.2%
- Interior & seats12.2%
- Exterior lighting12.2%
- Powertrain (other)12.2%
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
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SEATBELT ASSEMBLY REPEATEDLY UNLATCHES ARBITRARILY POSING SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HAS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. FLOW LEXUS OF KERNERSVILLE, NC, REFUSES TO MAKE COMPLIMENTARY REPAIR.*AK
FRONT SEAT BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND CAN UN-LATCH ITSELF. HAS OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY WITHOUT WARNING SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT DATE. *JB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE 4 INCH PIECE THAT CONNECTS THE RR ARM ASSEMBLY STRIPPED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BUCKLE INWARD - THE PIECE HAD TO BE WELDED TOGETHER JUST TO PULL TO CAR INTO THE GARAGE.*AK
HAD A SIDE BLOWOUT ( RIPPED 180 DEGREES ON THE SIDE WHERE THE SIDEWALL IS), OR THE WHEEL AXLE HAD COLLAPSED. ALSO THE NUT TO STEERING WHEEL (DUE TO RECALL) LOCKED TIGHTER AT ABOUT 1000 PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT THE BRAKES SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
GOODYEAR TIRE ,205/65R15, BLEW/SHREDDED.
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
BOUGHT LEXUS ES300 IN 1994. KEPT FOR CAR FOR 5 YEARS. EVEN BRAND NEW IT WOULD OCCASIONALLY LUNGE FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP OVER AND OVER; WROTE LETTERS; KEPT COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SPORADIC LUNGING FORWARD OF THE CAR BUT I WAS NOT EVEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY. AT A STOP LIGHT I WOULD HAVE TO STAY 10+ FEET BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT JUST IN CASE MY LEXUS LUNGED FORWARD EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I FINALLY GOT RID OF THIS CAR SINCE I FELT IT WAS A NOT SAFE AND THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE COMPANY TOOK ME SERIOUS ABOUT THIS RACING OF THE ENGINE AND THE LUNGING FORWARD. *TR
WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A CHAIN FENCE THEN THE GEAR CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO A WALL. *NLM *SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 LEXUS ES300 INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER,TACHOMETER,FUEL,AND TEMP),NEEDLES HAVE GONE OUT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ GAUGES AT NIGHT OR IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS. *TR
1994 LEXUS ES300. ELECTROLUMINESCENT GAUGES FOR SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE (ESPECIALLY WITH GLARE OR AT NIGHT) TO DETERMINE RPM'S OR SPEED. A SEARCH ON THE WEB WILL SHOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 1992 - 1996 ES300'S. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REVIEWED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH, ENGINE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY, AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY CATEGORIZED VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS, AND NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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
DEALERSHIP SENT CONSUMER RECALL 99V307000 NOTICE. VIBRATION WAS FELT INSIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK
HAD A SIDE BLOWOUT ( RIPPED 180 DEGREES ON THE SIDE WHERE THE SIDEWALL IS), OR THE WHEEL AXLE HAD COLLAPSED. ALSO THE NUT TO STEERING WHEEL (DUE TO RECALL) LOCKED TIGHTER AT ABOUT 1000 PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.
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
HAD A SIDE BLOWOUT ( RIPPED 180 DEGREES ON THE SIDE WHERE THE SIDEWALL IS), OR THE WHEEL AXLE HAD COLLAPSED. ALSO THE NUT TO STEERING WHEEL (DUE TO RECALL) LOCKED TIGHTER AT ABOUT 1000 PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.
TWO GOODYEAR TIRES BLEW OUT PREMATURELY.
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
2004 LEXUS ES330-CAR HESITATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. VERY UNSAFE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. ALMOST HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. COMPUTER CHIP FOR TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX PROBLEM. USED PREMIUM GAS AS SUGGESTED BY MECHANIC- NOTHING HELPED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, IT WOULD START TO BUCK, AS IF MISSING. COULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE/REVERSE. GEARS SHIFTED BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED & WAS INFORMED THE TRANSAXLE WAS BROKE. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 25-30 MPH LEFT REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW BLEW OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. WAS NO WARNING. NOTHING HAD HIT IT WINDOW. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXCESSIVE SMOKING AND ENGINE RUNNIG ROUGHLY. *AK
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
A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLE AND THE DOOR LATCH FAILS AND THE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THREE OF THE DOORS ON THIS CAR HAVE FAILED. TWO HAPPENED UNDER WARRANTY. THE LAST HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT A COST OF $90. WHY IS THE MANUFACTURER NOT RESPONSIBLE (FINANCIALLY) FOR REPLACING ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS, THAT ARE BREAKING, AT EACH POINT OF USE? *AK
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
DASH BOARD LIGHTING IS TOO LOW IN INTENSITY TO VIEW WITH SUN GLASSES.
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
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT BUT RELEASED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
THE PLASTIC LENS COVERS ARE SO OPAGUE AS TO MAKE SEEING AT NIGHT DIFFICULT AND NO OTHER JAPANESES CAR HAS THAT PROBLEM, AT LEAT THE HONDA. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND NOW IT IS BARELY ABLE TO RELFECT LIGHT, DEALER WANTS $1000 PLLUS LABOR TO RREPLACE WHLE UNITS!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, IT WOULD START TO BUCK, AS IF MISSING. COULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE/REVERSE. GEARS SHIFTED BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED & WAS INFORMED THE TRANSAXLE WAS BROKE. *AK
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 .