SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 Lexus ES300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Lexus ES300 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.

About this comparison →
52Owner complaints

Model-year median: 38

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
38
199537
199645
199752
199827
199956
200029
2001
Compare all ES300 years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
9Seat Belts
6Engine And Engine Cooling
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Electrical System
4
All reported categories
Seats
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Fuel System, Gasoline
3Tires
3Wheels
3Equipment
2Fuel System, Other
2Suspension
2Unknown Or Other
2Engine
1Exterior Lighting
1Power Train
1Steering
1Visibility
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

13 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Visibility complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WASHER HOSE IS DEFECTIVE. YH

NHTSA ODI #608893

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.