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1996 Lexus ES300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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 →
37Owner complaints

Model-year median: 38

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
43
199339
199438
199537
199645
199752
199827
1999
Compare all ES300 years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
11Air Bags
6Electrical System
5Steering
5Suspension
3
All reported categories
Seat Belts
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Engine
1Fuel System, Other
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seats
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: 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.

What to inspect

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

Seat Belts complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2002
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat BeltsCrashInjury

LEXUS ES300 LEFT ROAD AND FLIPPED ONE TIME. DRIVER'S DOOR CAME OPEN AND BUCKLED SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER IN CAR. DRIVER'S HEAD ENDED UP UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE ROOF DOOR JAMMED AND KILLED INSTANTLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763394

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Seat Belts

CONSUMER WAS PULLING ON THE STRAP TO RESTRAIN THE BUCKLE BROKE OFF STRAP. DEALER DIDN'T SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF IN A CRASH IT WOULD BE VERY UNSAFE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #868229

Official recalls

1

99V307000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

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.