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1996 Lexus ES300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 1996 Lexus ES300, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the ES300 median · #6 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3718 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage98kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 29, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Lexus ES300 has problems

37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling111
Air bags65
Steering52
Electrical system51
Suspension30
Visibility20
Seat belts21
Vehicle speed control21
Seats10
4 other systems42

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

1 recall

1996 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.

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

1996 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

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Lexus ES300 safety ratings

1996 Lexus ES 300 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Lexus ES300, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE SEIZUREDP02004 · closed Jun 20, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What ES300 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1996 LEXUS ES300; SLUDGE BUILD-UP; EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; WHITE SMOKE ON START-UP; DEALER SAYS THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $7000. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR 1997 TO 2001 MODELS WITH THE V-6 ENGINE. WHY WON'T THEY HONOR THE REPAIR TO THE…
Complaint 10137705 · Sep 26, 2005 · 145,000 miles
ENGINE FAILED (SEIZED UP) DUE TO OIL SLUDGE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE CAR'S OIL HAD BEEN REGULARLY CHANGED. IN FACT, THE CAR'S OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3-4,000 MILES, NOT EVERY 5,000 AS RECOMMENDED BY LEXUS. CAR WAS ALSO COMPLETELY SERVICED BY LEXUS AT 70,000 MILES AND THEY OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T LOOK AT…
Complaint 10071144 · Jan 15, 2004 · 86,068 miles
MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON IN MARCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER ON 141 IN NORCROSS BECAUSE I KNEW MY 3 YEAR WARRENTY RAN OUT IN MAY. THE LEXUS DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE OIL WAS NOT FLOWING PROPERLY. HE SUGGESTED THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL AND THE OIL BECAME CAKED TO THE ENGINE. THE…
Complaint 10071126 · Jan 15, 2004 · 93,000 miles

Own a 1996 ES300?

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