1996 Lexus ES300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
109,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 17.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 6; 2003: 2; 2004: 7; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000002 · 2002-12-11 (December 11, 2002)
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED . LUCKILY WHILE PARKED. CAR TOWED TO LEXUS OF MARIN. BILL 3000. MILEAGE ON CAR BETWEEN 40-50000
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568716 · 2014-03-12 (March 12, 2014)
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SHOPPING AND WENT TO TURN LEFT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND SMOOTHLY AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HAD A LOWER CONTROL ARM PUT IN BECAUSE OF A BAD BUSHING BUT WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION IS ALSO BAD. THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING NOW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 126,558 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058210 · 2004-02-15 (February 15, 2004)
BATTERY EXPLODED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752249 · 2001-09-16 (September 16, 2001)
DANGEROUS. COULD NOT TURN OFF CAR EXCEPT TO DISCONNECT NEGATIVE TERMINAL ON BATTERY. VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK ALMOST 10 MINUTES TO TURN OFF CAR. REMOVING KEY DID NOTHING. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ALL. COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. LEXUS WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 763561 · 2002-06-27 (June 27, 2002)
TRIED TO VEER SLIGHTLY LEFT. CAR WENT OVER 3 LANES OF EXPRESSWAY.TRIED R THEN L 4 TIMES AND BRAKED, BUT EACH TIME WENT OVER ALL LANES AND IDN'T STOP. WOUND UP 180 DEGREES FACING THE WRONG WAY STALLED. MIRACULOUSLY ALL THE DRIVCERS BEHIND HAD JUST STOPPED. THOUGHT IT WAS MY DRIVING TECHNIQUE. 2 DAYS LATER WHEEL HARD TO TURN. SENT FOR SERVICE AND STEERING PUMP LEAKING, POWER STEERING RACK BROKEN. *AK TRANSMISSISON GASKET FLUID DEFECTIVE,VANE PUMP DEFECTIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 763561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071126 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON IN MARCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER ON 141 IN NORCROSS BECAUSE I KNEW MY 3 YEAR WARRENTY RAN OUT IN MAY. THE LEXUS DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE OIL WAS NOT FLOWING PROPERLY. HE SUGGESTED THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL AND THE OIL BECAME CAKED TO THE ENGINE. THE OIL WAS THEN BRAKING UP IN PIECES AND CLOGGING THE ENGINE. HE SAID I NEEDED TO GET ANOTHER CAR. I STILL HAD PAYMENTS LEFT (AROUND 6K) AND COULD NOT AFFORD IT. IN OCTOBER, THE ENGINE BROKE. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T TO ANYTHING FOR ME. …
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071126 at NHTSA ↗