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U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Lexus ES300 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

32 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

78,565 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 32 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior618.8%
Electrical and battery issues39.4%
Steering behavior26.3%

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.

Air Bags:Frontal
4
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Electrical System
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
Fuel System, Gasoline
3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3
Equipment:Electrical
2
Seat Belts
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags:Frontal4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Electrical System3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Equipment:Electrical2
Seat Belts2

Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Equipment:Electrical: 2; Seat Belts: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
10
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,99910
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 10 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.

2001
1
2002
2
2003
3
2004
7
2006
3
2008
2
2009
1
2010
5
2011
4
2012
1
2013
2
2014
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20011
20022
20033
20047
20063
20082
20091
20105
20114
20121
20132
20141

2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 7; 2006: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10070202 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

I HAVE HAD MY 1998 ES300 IN WITH TOM WOOD LEXUS OF INDIANAPOLIS WELL OVER A DOZEN TIMES SINCE DECEMBER OF 2002 FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE ABS/TRAC OFF AND LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF RANDOMLY. AFTER REPLACING THE ABS PUMP ($1,400 FOR THE PART ALONE), THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AFTER AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF FALSE DIAGNOSTICS, WASTED SERVICE TRIPS (AT LEAST A WEEK LONG EACH TIME) AND USELESS BUT COSTLY REPAIRS, MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. THEY SUSPECTED THAT A SLUDGE ENGINE IS THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEMS. BUT IT TURNED OUT THAT I DID NOT …

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070202 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10161558 · 2006-06-22 (June 22, 2006)

CONSUMER 1998 LEXUS 300 ES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED KNOCKED AND DIED WHILE PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY SEIZED. THE REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN DEC 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON FEBRUARY 11, 2005 AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED OIL LEAKS AROUND THE VALVE COVER AND OIL PAN AREAS. THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161558 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10054664 · 2004-01-22 (January 22, 2004)

ELECTRICITY DISCHARGES FROM IGNITION KEY AREA ON STEERING COLUMN AND DOOR AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING VEHICLE. I TOOK CAR IN TO SUPERIOR LEXUS TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT. I CONTINUE TO GET ELECTRICAL SHOCKS FROM MY 1998 LEXUS ES300 TODAY.

Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054664 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10247267 · 2008-10-30 (October 30, 2008)

AIR BAG, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S, FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION THAT DESTROYED VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS ONLY PERSON IN CAR AND FROM THE SEAT/LAP BELT SUFFERED SEVER BRUISING ON TORSO, ABDOMEN AND THIGHS. LEFT KNEE BADLY BRUISED FROM CONTACT WITH STEERING COLUMN. THE SEAT/LAP BELT DID NOT FAIL. THE CAR WAS A 1998 LEXUS ES300 WITH APPROXIMATELY 157,000 MILES AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE STILL HAD SOME BRUISING BUT THE BRUISING WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE AND LESS PAINFUL AND HAD SHO…

Owner-reported narrative. 157,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247267 at NHTSA ↗