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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #520388

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.