2003 Lexus ES

23 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Mar 27, 2026Failure Mar 27, 2026235,000 milesFontana, CASpeedometer/odometer

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Lexus ES 300. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 136,406. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 235,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11727521
2. Filed May 3, 2023Failure Apr 28, 2023Oshkosh, WIEngine

   UNKNOWN

   NHTSA complaint 11520317
3. Filed Sep 21, 2019Failure Sep 17, 2019260,000 milesArlington, TXService brakes, Steering, Unknown or otherCrash1 injured

   I WAS COMING UP MY STREET LIKE I DO EVERY DAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING AND I WAS STUCK STARING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I HIT A TREE AND GOT SEVERELY INJURED THE CAR IS TOTALED

   NHTSA complaint 11256982
4. Filed Sep 20, 2019Failure Sep 17, 2019260,000 milesArlington, TXElectrical system, Service brakes, SteeringCrash1 injured

   I WAS DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL DOING SPEED LIMIT 30. THE CAR STARTED TO EXHILARATE RIGHT BEFORE MY TURN ON THE MY STREET. THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING FASTER THE STEARING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T STOP AND RAN START INTO A TREE AND SPUN OUT, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES *TT *AS

   NHTSA complaint 11256773
5. Filed Aug 6, 2019Failure Jun 24, 2019Chula Vista, CAAir bags, Power train

   1) PASSENGER DRIVER SIDE DASH AIR BAG LOOKS AS IF IT IS READY TO BURST. 2) TRANSMISSION OFTEN HAS SLIGHT SLIP WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICE AT CERTAIN GEAR CHANGE WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC VEHICLE.

   NHTSA complaint 11242162
6. Filed Aug 12, 2015Failure Jul 7, 2015East Point, GAService brakes, Suspension, Unknown or other

   NO DESCRIPTION

   NHTSA complaint 10748228
7. Filed Mar 20, 2015Failure Mar 16, 201588,600 milesNorth Hollywood, CAService brakes, Vehicle speed controlCrash

   DRIVING OUT OF MY GARAGE USUALLY SLOWLY AND WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS WHILE IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT THE CAR JUST FLEW OUT INTO THE STREET. THE IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO BRAKE AND COULDN'T WORK. WHEN I HIT A TRUCK IN THE STREET BEHIND ME THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. I HAD NO CONTROL. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, A FIRST TIME AND A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. THE CAR IS AT THE LEXUS AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP WAITING FOR THE LEXUS INSPECTOR TO GO OVER THE CAR. I WOULD BE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE FUTURE THINKING THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN ANYTIME. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND FELT THIS IS THE BEST CAR I EVER OWNED UNTIL NOW. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10695529
8. Filed Aug 21, 2014Failure Mar 20, 2013135,000 milesHouston, TXEngine, Body, Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

   I WAS REVERSING AND TRYING TO TURN WHEN MY CAR LEXUS ES 300 SUDDENLY PICKED UP HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION BY IT SELF AND WENT FORWARD AND HIT A FENCE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE PICKED UP UNINTENTIONAL HIGH SPEED (FULL THROTTLE). IT WAS BEYOND MY CONTROL. MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND BACKWARD VIOLENTLY. FOR FEW DAYS I HAVE EXPERIENCED MUSCLE STIFFNESS, PAIN AND POOR NIGHT SLEEP. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10627242
9. Filed Jul 6, 2014Failure Jul 3, 201468,000 milesRochester Hills, MISeat belts

   DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT SNAP INTO BUCKLE. IF I DEPRESS THE RELEASE AND PUSH THE METAL PART IN AT THE SAME TIME IT WILL CATCH AND HOLD. BUT IT WILL NOT GO IN NORMALLY. *JS

   NHTSA complaint 10608451
10. Filed Feb 27, 2013Failure Feb 27, 201358,000 milesPalm Desert, CAElectrical system, Latches/locks/linkages

    DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. CAN'T OPEN DRIVERS DOOR. HAD TO CLIMB OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT. NO MANUAL OVER RIDE TO OPEN DOOR. I'M 82 YEARS OLD AND COULD NOT FINE A WAY TO OPEN MY DOOR WITH THE DOOR SWITCH OR THE REMOTE CONTROL. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN . *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10500698
11. Filed Sep 6, 2012Failure Sep 1, 2012126,000 milesNewark, NJVehicle speed controlCrash

    BACKING UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY MAKING TURN TO STRAIGHTEN CAR OUT AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR JUST SPEED UP IN REVERSE. CAUSING CRASH INTO SIDE OF MY HOUSE. AFTER THAT I TRIED TO BACK CAR INTO DRIVEWAY BUT DUE TO DAMAGE WAS UNABLE TO. I PULLED CAR OVER TO STREET PARKING. WHEN I PULLED CAR ONTO STREET THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. RIGHT AFTER INCIDENT I CHECKED TO SEE IF GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK I DONT BELIEVE IT WAS. I WAS STARTLED AND IN SHOCK. REPORTED INCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10474057
12. Filed Jun 1, 2012Failure Mar 3, 2010125,000 milesPittsburg, CAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

    1. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WITH INITIAL ACCELERATION (SLOW OR QUICK ACCELERATION). 2. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO HESITATES. I SUSPECT THAT OUNCE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM IS FIXED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. 3. I HAVE GONE TO THE LEXUS DEALER TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER WITH A NEW CHIP TO HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS WITH NO SUCCESS. 4. I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT HUNDREDS OF LEXUS OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. IN SOME CASES THE DEALERS HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SUGGEST THATS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED! WHY ISN'T LEXUS LISTENING TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS? THANKS *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10460217
13. Filed Jan 29, 2012Failure Jan 28, 2012Silver Sping, MDUnknown or otherCrash

    VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE, CAUSING IT TO HIT A PARKED CAR IN BACK OF IT. THE ACCELERATION WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND VERY FAST. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE TIME TO REACT BEFORE THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE PARKED CAR. *TT

    NHTSA complaint 10445754
14. Filed Dec 23, 2011Failure Dec 22, 2011109,000 milesMarietta, GAFuel system, Gasoline

    FUEL LINE RUPTURED (PART NUMBER 23801-20150 PIPE SUB ASSEMBLY). FUEL WAS SPLASHING ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FUMES WERE POURING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN CAUSING NAUSEA. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A WORK SHOP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND WE COULD SEE FUEL SPLASHING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ON. I CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER WHO DOESN'T KEEP THE PART IN STOCK AND WOULDN'T COMMENT ON THE PROBLEM NOR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO DIAGNOSE OR ADVISE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10441069
15. Filed Mar 12, 2010Failure Jun 16, 200532,000 milesTarrytown, NYVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 LEXUS ES. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10319149
16. Filed Oct 25, 2007Failure Oct 13, 200720,000 milesOverland Park, KSAir bagsCrash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. UPDATED 11/14/07.

    NHTSA complaint 10206886
17. Filed Oct 18, 2007Failure Mar 15, 200732,000 milesFayetteville, NCManual transmission

    THE CAR CHANGES GEAR WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP OR COASTING. WHEN I APPLY THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR MAY HESITATE AND THE SNAP INTO GEAR AND LUNGE FORWARD OR IT MAY QUICKLY GO BETWEEN TWO GEARS UNTIL IT FINALLY JERKS INTO GEAR AND LUNGES FORWARD. I TOOK THIS CERTIFIED CAR TO THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE UPDATED THE COMPUTER PROGRAM BUT IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS BEFORE. THE CAR HAS NOW STARTED TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AS IF WAS CHANGING GEARS BUT DOESN'T NEED TOO. T HE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I AM DISCOURAGED BY MY FIRST SERVICE EXPERIENCE. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10206187
18. Filed Sep 22, 2007Failure Sep 13, 200752,000 milesHorsham, PASteering

    CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL; TOOK THE CAR TO WILKIE LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN ARDMORE, PA. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR NEEDS NEW STEERING SHAFT. CAR HAS 52000 MILES AND A PART LIKE THIS FAILING THIS EARLY IS NOT EXPLAINED. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10203696
19. Filed Apr 5, 2007Failure Apr 3, 200750,313 milesWest Desmoine, IAVehicle speed control

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS 300 ES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONLY AFTER IT JUMPED A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICE AND PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 50,313.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10187139
20. Filed Nov 12, 2006Failure Sep 16, 2006Highland Park, ILFrontal, AnchorageCrash1 injured

    A DISABLED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE WAS HOVERING OVER NARROW EXPRESS LANE SHOULDER AND RIGHT LANE. I SLOWED AND PUT MY SIGNAL ON PREPARING TO MERGE INTO THE LEFT LANE, BUT THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT REACT SIMILARLY AND CONSEQUENTLY REAR-ENDED ME AT FULL SPEED (+). THE FORCE OF THIS IMPACT PUSHED MY CAR INTO THE DISABLED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON EITHER IMPACT, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROTECT ME FROM A SERIOUS SPINAL FRACTURE. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10173303