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2003 Lexus Es

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
23Owner complaints

Model-year median: 11

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
20002
200127
200223
200316
200458
200512
2006
Compare all Es years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Vehicle Speed Control
6Power Train
5Service Brakes
4Air Bags
3Electrical System
3
All reported categories
Engine
3Steering
3Unknown Or Other
3Seat Belts
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Structure
1Suspension
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 23 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
125,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

1. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WITH INITIAL ACCELERATION (SLOW OR QUICK ACCELERATION). 2. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO HESITATES. I SUSPECT THAT OUNCE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM IS FIXED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. 3. I HAVE GONE TO THE LEXUS DEALER TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER WITH A NEW CHIP TO HELP …

Read full complaint

1. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WITH INITIAL ACCELERATION (SLOW OR QUICK ACCELERATION). 2. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO HESITATES. I SUSPECT THAT OUNCE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM IS FIXED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. 3. I HAVE GONE TO THE LEXUS DEALER TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER WITH A NEW CHIP TO HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS WITH NO SUCCESS. 4. I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT HUNDREDS OF LEXUS OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. IN SOME CASES THE DEALERS HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SUGGEST THATS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED! WHY ISN'T LEXUS LISTENING TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS? THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460217

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.