1992 Lexus ES300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
141,818 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 28 complaints (10.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 20 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
1995: 5; 1996: 2; 2000: 5; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020235 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER, BECAUSE OF THE COLOR IN THE BACK GROUND. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLUORESCENT MATERIAL DRIED OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL*TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024124 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
ILLUMINATION OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE HAS FAILED. CONSUMER CAN NOT DISCERN VEHICLE'S SPEED WHEN DRIVING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026730 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
THE NEEDLES ON THE VEHICLE'S TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ARE BEGINNING TO FADE. DEALERSHIP ONLY OFFERED TO PAY 20% OF THE REPAIR COST. *MR *CB THERE WAS A 90 CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO FOG/CLOUDS, AND TRUCKS. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096210 · 2004-10-22 (October 22, 2004)
BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AND WHAT SEEMED TO BE VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH UP TO DATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR THREE MONTHS. ALL BUT ABOUT 1 WEEK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP.. THE INSTRAMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY $1000 TO FIX,,, JOKE... THE POWER STEERING PUMP AMD SENSORS WENT OUT CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO FAIL CAUSED THE CAR TO SEVERLY OVERHEAT,, CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROLS CAUSING CARBON BUILDUP IN THE FUEL INJECTORS, IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE BIGGEST PEICE OF JUNK I HA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117598 · 2005-04-07 (April 7, 2005)
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V039000 CONCERNING HOOD LATCH. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE HOOD FLEW UP, BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. CONSUMER WAS LATER ADVISED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE HOOD LATCH. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 206,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182240 · 2007-02-11 (February 11, 2007)
WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING A LITTLE FUNNY. AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER GAVE AN ACCURATE READING AND ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS SLOW. I COMPARED A FEW DISTANCES AND THE CAR'S SPEEDOMETER ONLY RECORDED HALF OF THE ACTUAL MILEAGE TRAVELED. THE LIGHTS ON THE NEEDLES ARE FLICKERING AND THE GAS LIGHT NEEDLE IS COMPLETELY OUT. IT IS VERY HARD TO KNOW AT WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING, AS WELL AS EVEN KNOW IF I HAVE ENOUGH FUEL, WITHOUT TURNING ON THE CABIN LIGHT. THIS SPEEDOMETER ISSU…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,775 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253300 · 2008-12-30 (December 30, 2008)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY POPPED OPEN DAMAGING THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319053 · 2010-03-11 (March 11, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LEXUS ES 300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT HOOD RELEASED IN AN OPEN POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142366.
Owner-reported narrative. 142,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319053 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V039000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 1994-02-23 (February 23, 1994)
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MECHANISM HAS A NARROW CLEARANCE BETWEEN INTERNAL PARTS WHICH, OVER TIME, ACCUMULATE DUST OR OTHER FOREIGN MATTER AND CAUSE THE LATCH TO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING, BLOCKING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: LEXUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗