no report yet
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
1998 Lexus ES300Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 52 owner complaints about the 1998 Lexus ES300, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 24, 2014. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Lexus ES300 has problems
52 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
9Air bags7 crash/fire/injury
6Seat belts2 crash/fire/injury
5Vehicle speed control5 crash/fire/injury
5Engine and engine cooling
4Seats1 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
4Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
3Fuel system, gasoline
3Tires
1510 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 7 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 15 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1998 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
1998 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
1998 Lexus ES300 safety ratings
1998 Lexus ES 300 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Lexus ES300, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE SEIZURENo recall
In owners' words
What ES300 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDE SWIPED HIS VEHICLE, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND SHOULDER…
MY 1998 LEXUS HIT A CEMENT WALL AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CALLED AND WROTE TO LEXUS HEADQUARTERS THREE TIMES AND THEY NEVER RESPONDED. I WANT TO HEAR FROM LEXUS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
AIR BAG, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S, FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION THAT DESTROYED VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS ONLY PERSON IN CAR AND FROM THE SEAT/LAP BELT SUFFERED SEVER BRUISING ON TORSO, ABDOMEN AND THIGHS. LEFT KNEE BADLY BRUISED FROM CONTACT WITH STEERING COLUMN. THE SEAT/LAP BELT DID NOT…
Own a 1998 ES300?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.