1992 Lexus ES300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 1992 Lexus ES300, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexSolid year15% below the ES300 median · #8 of 12 years by complaints

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints3712 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem9Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 27, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Lexus ES300 has problems

37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

9Power train1 crash/fire/injury

6Air bags5 crash/fire/injury

4Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury

4Structure

4Engine and engine cooling

4Latches/locks/linkages

2Visibility

2Exterior lighting

2Vehicle speed control

55 other systems1 crash/fire/injury

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Power train	9	1
Air bags	6	5
Electrical system	4	1
Structure	4	0
Engine and engine cooling	4	0
Latches/locks/linkages	4	0
Visibility	2	0
Exterior lighting	2	0
Vehicle speed control	2	1
5 other systems	5	1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1992 Lexus ES300 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 94V-039 · Feb 23, 1994 · 16,036 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING, BLOCKING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER, WHICH COULD…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Best & worst years

1992 vs. every other ES300 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES300 median. How we score

37 43 39 38 37 45 52 27 56 29 1531161 3 5

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'13

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

In owners' words

What ES300 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AND WHAT SEEMED TO BE VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH UP TO DATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR THREE MONTHS. ALL BUT ABOUT 1 WEEK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP.. THE INSTRAMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY $1000 TO FIX,,, JOKE... THE POWER STEERING PUMP AMD SENSORS WENT OUT CAUSING…
Complaint 10096210 · Oct 22, 2004

DRIVING 70MPH WHEN DRIVER LEANED TOWARDS PASSENGER'S SIDE. IN DOING SO, ARM HIT GEAR SHIFT & VEHICLE WENT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL & THEN DECELERATEDAPIDLY AND CAME TO A DEAD STOP. CALLED DEALER & WAS INFORMED GEAR SHIFT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. *AK
Complaint 821593 · Apr 14, 1998

THE LIGHTS, CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY…
Complaint 768748 · Oct 23, 2002

Own a 1992 ES300?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.