1998 Lexus ES300: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 18.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025055 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
THE PART WHICH REGULATED THE FLOW OF FUEL BURST, AND CAUSED FUEL TO FLOW FREELY OVER ENGINE. THE CONSUMER FEELS FELT THE FUEL PRESSURE DAMPNER WAS DEFECTIVE.*MR *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037857 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL CALL BACK. *MR *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048619 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048619 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 10062803 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
DEFECTIVE RIMS THAT ALLOW THE TIRES TO LEAK AIR. AFTER THAT HAPPENED MANY TIMES, WE BOUGHT NEW TIRES THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS CONTINUED . THIS IS A CONCERN AND WANT TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS . OTHER THAN THAT THE LEXUS IS A GREAT CAR. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066411 · 2004-04-18 (April 18, 2004)
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE AIRBAGS IN MY WIFE'S 1998 LEXUS ES300 NOT DEPLOYING WHEN IN A FULL FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 35-45 MPH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 96,659 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068888 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. DECREASED PERFORMANCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068888 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗