IllustrationWHILE PULLING INSIDE A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A BRICK WALL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP REQUESTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *SC *JB
1990 Lexus ES250
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all ES250 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 2 of 9 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
6 reportsWHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY ABOUT 60 MPH, HER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A REASON. SHE GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO SEE IF SHE HAD HIT ANY THING, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY POTHOLES, NOR ANY OBSTACLES AND NO DAMAGES ON HER VEHICLE. *AK
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION CAUSED CERVICAL SPINE DAMAGE. DUP OF 812606, ADDED ON 25-FEB-98. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH THERE WAS A SMALL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEVERE DAMAGE TO HER UPPER BODY. DRIVER IS NOW DISABLED FOR LIFE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL OPERATIONS ON HER NECK. DEALER WAS A WARE OF THE AIR BAG PROBLEM, AND DID NOT WARN ANY OWNERS OF THE DEFEC…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH THERE WAS A SMALL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEVERE DAMAGE TO HER UPPER BODY. DRIVER IS NOW DISABLED FOR LIFE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL OPERATIONS ON HER NECK. DEALER WAS A WARE OF THE AIR BAG PROBLEM, AND DID NOT WARN ANY OWNERS OF THE DEFECT OF THE AIR BAG. *AK
OWNER WAS DRIVING CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK
AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE FULLY IN FRONT END COLLISION.
Official recalls
0No 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
2EA97008 · Leaking Fuel Tank
Opened Apr 23, 1997 · Closed Apr 22, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
PE97003 · Leaking Fuel Tank
Opened Jan 21, 1997 · Closed Apr 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.