Home / Lexus ES300 / 1996 ← New search 1996 Lexus ES300 Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Illustration Same car. Similar to other model years Owner complaints for the 1996 Lexus ES300 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.
About this comparison → Overview Common problems Recalls Investigations What to inspect Owner reports
How this year compares Owner complaints by model year
Compare all ES300 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: 11 of 37 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.
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports → Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports → Electrical System. Review the 5 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 reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints 1 reports Clear category filter Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…
Read full complaint TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,340. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10668699
Official recalls 1 Nov 1, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence & remedy Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
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 1 DP02004 · Engine Seizure Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
Illustration