1996 Lexus ES300 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Lexus ES300 recalls

Most common 1996 Lexus ES300 problems

Problem areas named in the 37 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	12
Steering	7
Air Bags	6
Electrical System	5
Suspension	3
Visibility	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Seat Belts	2
Seats	1
Latches/Locks/Linkages	1

What owners report

2014-12-29, 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 MILEAGE WAS 111,340. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2015*JS

2014-03-12, Steering
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SHOPPING AND WENT TO TURN LEFT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND SMOOTHLY AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HAD A LOWER CONTROL ARM PUT IN BECAUSE OF A BAD BUSHING BUT WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION IS ALSO BAD. THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING NOW. *TR

2013-01-06, Engine
CAR EXPLODED AND STARTED FIRE IN THE GARAGE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. GOT HOME FROM WORK AND STOP AT GROCERY STORE. PARKED CAR IN GARAGE AND BROUGHT IN SOME GROCERIES. ABOUT 10 - 15 MINUTES LATER WENT OUT TO GET PAPER PRODUCTS (TP AND PAPER TOWELS) OUT OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, NO SMOKE, NO FIRE, NO NOISE. WENT IN SIDE PUT AWAY EVERYTHING AND STARTED TO COOK. HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE. WENT TO THE GARAGE AND OPENED THE DOOR. HOT, HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND CHEMICAL ODOR CAME POURING INTO THE HOUSE. I COULD SEE FLAMES TO THE LEFT. IT WAS VERY HOT AND THERE WAS SOME LIQUID MIXED IN, AND THE GARAGE WAS PITCH BLACK YET IT WAS A VERY SUN

2010-03-16, Vehicle Speed Control
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LEXUS ES300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION UNEXPECTEDLY. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO AN ACCELERATION ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

2006-02-16, Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PANEL IN THE DASH FAILED AND NOTHING IN THE DASH COULD BE SEEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WERE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WAS PERFORMED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

1996 Lexus ES300 questions

Does the 1996 Lexus ES300 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Lexus ES300: Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Lexus ES300?

Based on 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (12), Steering (7), Air Bags (6).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Lexus ES300 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.