Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1996 Lexus ES peaked in 2013, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1996 Lexus ES
Sedan, gasoline, 4x2, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from May 29, 2013 to May 29, 2013.
Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints1Below the median 1996 sedan
Severity index0.01996 sedans average 14.2
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
100% of complaints about the 1996 Lexus ES name engine and cooling
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
No recall campaign lists the 1996 Lexus ES
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1996 Lexus ES
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
1 complaint on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed May 29, 2013Failure May 28, 2013235,600 milesRichardson, TXEngine, Fuel/propulsion system
I SMELLED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ANTI-FREEZE. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE SMELLED GAS AND SOME FRIENDS CALLED MY CELL TO TELL ME GAS WAS RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK UNDER THE CAR. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND FOUND GAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING THE LEXUS COVER OFF THE ENGINE, I FOUND GAS SHOOTING STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR. IT WAS COMING FROM A VACUUM LINE THAT HAD POPPED OFF. I RE-ATTACHED THE LINE AND STARTED THE ENGINE. THE LINE POPPED OFF AND GAS AGAIN SHOT STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR. I REPLACED THE VACUUM LINE. IT STAYED ON BUT THE GAS RAN THROUGH A NEARBY SWITCH AND ONTO THE ENGINE. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT THE GAS SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THE VACUUM LINE. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD MAL FUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED THE GAS TO GO THROUGH THE VACUUM SIDE OF THE REGULATOR. WHILE DRIVING THE REGULATOR HAD ALLOWED OVER 10 GALLONS OF GAS TO POUR DIRECTLY OVER MY ENGINE. IT BOTHERS ME HOW EASY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE CAR, MY WIFE AND ME TO GO UP IN FLAMES. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE SOMEONE DIE BECAUSE I FAILED TO WARN PEOPLE OF THIS DEFECT. I DO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10514170
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
8 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- Safety Recall 22 Apr 13, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022 - Lexus PRO19-02 - Jan 12, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests i… - LSB009213B Dec 19, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning - LSB008214 Oct 16, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions - Lexus Safety Re May 1, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements - L-SB-0179-17 Obs Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates - L-SB-0008-20 Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 9… - L-SB-0179-17 Nov 28, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, and PG002-90. Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.