RoadVitals

1995 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.
38
Latest Nov 30, 2016
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 Nov 1, 1999
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.
7
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Lexus ES300, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 33 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

  • Brakes714.6%
  • Driver assistance612.5%
  • Engine48.3%
  • Airbags48.3%
  • Seat belts36.3%
  • Tires & wheels36.3%
  • Suspension36.3%

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

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Nov 1, 1999
540,037 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.Manufacturer number X06/XL7View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Nov 30, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED FRACTURED BONES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10928784
Incident
Nov 29, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 29, 2015

ACCELERATED AROUND A VEHICLE THAT HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ITSELF. I PUMPED BREAKS. TRIED TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL UNSUCCESSFULLY. WHILE HEAVILY PUMPING BREAKS, VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WENT OUT.

NHTSA ID
10744515
Incident
Jul 29, 2015
Mileage
103,283 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 26, 2013

TWO GAUGES HAVE STOPPED ILLUMINATING. A THIRD IS ABOUT TO GO. I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEED AT NIGHT WHICH LIMITS USE OF THE VEHICLE THE CAR IS 18 YEARS OLD WITH 118,000 MILES AND RIDES BEAUTIFULLY BUT IT SEEMS THAT IS TOO SOON FOR A LUXURY CAR TO LOSE USE OF SUCH VITAL FUNCTIONS. FROM RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE,IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT LATER MODEL CLUSTERS CAN BE REPAIRED BUT THE 1995'S HAVE TO BE REPLACED EXCLUSIVELY BY LEXUS AT AN EXORBITANT COST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10557353
Incident
Nov 12, 2012
Mileage
95,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 9, 2011

TL* LEXUS SUDDEN ACCELERATION COMMENTS: MY 1995 LEXUS ES300 HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010. AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY CHANGING A PART THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE OK, HOWEVER, ON FEBRUARY 28, 2011, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED NORMALLY WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE ENGINE ROARED SUDDENLY FOR A SECOND AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,825. THE CONTACT WANTS TO USE THE COMPLAINT THAT WAS SENT VIA EMAIL. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 3/01/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ID
10405762
Incident
Nov 10, 2010
Mileage
167,825 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 5, 2010
Crash reported

IN APRIL 2008, DRIVER WAS DRIVING HOME IN A 95 LEXUS ES300 AND WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE GARAGE. AS SHE PULLED UP TOWARDS THE GARAGE WHILE WAITING FOR THE GARAGE TO OPEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. IT CONTINUED RACING FORWARD AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. DRIVER TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THAT SEEMED TO HAVE NO EFFECT AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RPM. DRIVER THEN TRIED TO GET THE GEAR FROM DRIVE INTO PARK, UNFORTUNATELY, IT ENGAGED IN REVERSE AND THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL BACKWARDS AND INTO THE STREET. AS IT REVERSING OUT OF CONTROL AFTER HITTING THE FIRST PARKED VEHICLE IT SEVERELY DAMAGED A MAIN COLUMN OF THE HOUSE ON ITS WAY OUT AND HIT ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN THE STREET. AFTER WHICH IT CAME TO A STOP. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED THIS TO THE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY (GEICO) AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY (RESIDENTIAL MUTUAL). GEICO RULED THAT BOTH OF THE VEHICLES WE OWNED AT THE TIME THE LEXUS ES300 AND THE PARKED VAN IN THE GARAGE THAT WAS HIT WERE A TOTAL LOSS. IN ADDITION, THE NEIGHBOR'S CAR WAS ALSO BADLY DAMAGED BUT THE EXACT DISPOSITION OF THAT VEHICLE IS NOT KNOWN. THE POLICE WAS CALLED BUT THEY DID NOT CREATE A REPORT BECAUSE THE WAY THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A POLICE MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10323717
Incident
Apr 24, 2008
Electrical
Filed May 18, 2009

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLES BURNED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269100
Incident
Dec 25, 2000
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 30, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE NEEDS FUEL, WHAT SPEED HE IS TRAVELING, OR IF THERE IS ANY FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND SENT TO THE FACTORY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. HE BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE ALL OF THE GAUGES SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF U[DATED 10/30/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10244003
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
93,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 5, 2008

CURRENTLY HAVE 1995 LEXUS ES300. THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY HAS STOPPED ILLUMINATING WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. BEING A PHYSICIAN I SEE MANY PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS WITH FULLY FUNCTIONAL CARS. SEEING YOUR SPEED AT NIGHT IS IMPERATIVE, AND I BELIEVE IT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEXUS TO SUBMIT A RECALL TO HAVE THE THOUSANDS OF UNITS REPAIR BEFORE COUNTLESS ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND DEATHS OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230074
Incident
Jun 3, 2008
Mileage
138,000 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
1995Viewing381046.3
1994391044.8
1993430041.3
1992371047.6
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.