1996 Lexus ES300: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10029186 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON, BLUE EXHAUST IN ENGINE SMOKE, ABNORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION, GELLED OIL OR SLUDGE PRESENT INSIDE VALVE COVER BELOW OIL FILLER CAP. CALLED LEXUS AMERICA, BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER, THEY TELL ME I MUST PAY $2,071.06 FOR REPAIRS AND PRETEND NOT TO KNOW OF THIS COMMON 3.0L V-6 ENGINE PROBLEM THAT IS EXTENSIVELY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET AND THAT LEXUS HAS ALREADY STARTED REIMBURSING CAR OWNERS STARTING WITH 1997 MODELS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042056 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
AIRBAG OVER-SENSITIVITY DEFECT.*MR THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE AIR BAG WAS TOO SENSITIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE BUMPER AND QUARTER PANEL WAS DAMAGED. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AN INFANT CAR SEAT , WITH THE CONSUMER CHILD FASTENED INSIDE, WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT FACING REARWARD. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG CAUSED FATAL INJURIES TO THE CHILD. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042056 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 10058211 · 2004-02-15 (February 15, 2004)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SERVICING DEALER REPLACED O2 SENSOR - BANK 2, SENSOR 1, PART NUMBER 89465-33080 - DEALER LISTED AS $183.30 FOR THE PART WHILE WARRANTY COMPANY LISTED AS $128.11 FOR THE SAME PART. WHEN CHECKING WARRANTY COVERAGE, WAS TOLD WARRANTY DID NOT EXIST - PAID $1,860.00 TO BREDEMANN LEXUS IN GLENVIEW FOR THE WARRANTY ON 6/14/03. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068987 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ENGINE SEIZED IN DECEMBER 2000. LEXUS SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SUGGESTED I FIND A THIRD PARTY TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR WHICH I DID.
Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069567 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ENGINE OIL SLUDGE WE SPENT A TOTAL OF 2716.00 FOR A USED ENGINE, THE MILEAGE 109,313, I BOUGHT THE ENGINE ON MARCH 10, 2003....AND THE BREAKDOWN OCCURED ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR..
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069733 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY, BLUE EXHAUST SMOKE ON STARTUP, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, GELLED OIL OR SLUDGE PRESENT BENEATH OIL FILLER CAP ON VALVE COVER AFTER GOING TO LEXUS THE BEST THEY WOULD OFFER WAS TO EAT THE PARTS COST, ABOUT $500 BUT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY $1500 FOR A HEAD JOB THAT ANYONE ELSE CHARGES $950 FOR
Owner-reported narrative. 98,143 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069733 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.
99V307000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1999-11-01 (November 1, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗