1992 Lexus ES300: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 1994
1
recalls
37
owner complaints
1
fire reports
141,818
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest ES300 years (#11 of 12 by complaints, age-adjusted)Problems tend to appear late (median 141,818 mi)Weak spot: power train (23%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)23% · 8 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)17% · 6 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)11% · 4 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)11% · 4 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)9% · 3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)6% · 2 complaints
“Car was going 35 mph on a straight, dry, paved, flat street when the airbag spontaneously deployed without warning resulting in facial abrasions and sudden hearing loss in both ears which continues to this day. Toyota maintains car was old and out of warranty. Car was initially taken to a lexus specialist who began to investigate moisture on floor of backseat. I advised him to stop and so vehicle was partially disassembled at time of subsequent field technical specialist's inspection. Lexus has remained unresponsive in light of above explanation. Car cannot be repaired and we are forced to drive car without an airbag. Hearing loss remains in spite of expensive new hearing aids.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 lexus es300. While driving at 35 mph, the driver swerved and the air bags deployed and exploded, emitting a smokey substance. As a result, the driver sustained face and ear injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,800.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lexus es 300. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the front hood released in an open position without warning. Immediately, the sun roof glass shattered. There was no personal injury. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the malfunction at this time. The failure mileage was 142366.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving northbound from gilroy on the 101 freeway, I was in the second lane from the right shoulder when the hood sprung open blinding my view and scaring the crap out of passengers and I. I started to immediately pull to the left shoulder of the freeway even though I had no visual of what was in from of my view, the surrounding cars immediately took notice of my fully extended white hood due to it was standing straight up in the air, the windshield instantly shattered outwards and the car had to be towed home, windshield replaced, the hood was a used hood that in not safe for use if accident the hood would slice my head off. A lot of parts are still damaged from the incident. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2009
“When I purchased my vehicle I noticed that the speedometer was acting a little funny. After about two weeks the speedometer no longer gave an accurate reading and also noticed that the mileage was slow. I compared a few distances and the car's speedometer only recorded half of the actual mileage traveled. The lights on the needles are flickering and the gas light needle is completely out. It is very hard to know at what speed I am traveling, as well as even know if I have enough fuel, without turning on the cabin light. This speedometer issue has become a real problem, I can't control my speed and I am constantly distracted. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2007
“NHTSA recall campaign 04v039000 concerning hood latch. Consumer was driving at 60 mph on the highway when the hood flew up, broke the windshield. Vehicle was drivable. Consumer was later advised by the insurance company that there was a recall for the hood latch. Consumer made contact with the manufacturer, and was told there was no recall for the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2005
“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 the radiator to fail caused the car to severly overheat,, caused the transmission to fail and the electrical harness failed to the fuel injector controls causing carbon buildup in the fuel injectors, in my opinion this is the biggest peice of junk I have ever owned.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2004
“The needles on the vehicle's tachometer and speedometer are beginning to fade. Dealership only offered to pay 20% of the repair cost. *mr *cb there was a 90 car accident due to fog/clouds, and trucks. *scc”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2003
“The consumer was unable to read the speedometer, because of the color in the back ground. *jb the consumer stated the fluorescent material dried out the instrument panel*ts *jb”Owner report · Structure · May 2003
“During oil change mechanic noticed hood latch was failing, there is a recall but this vehicle not affected due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH94V039000 · Feb 1994
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MECHANISM HAS A NARROW CLEARANCE BETWEEN INTERNAL PARTS WHICH, OVER TIME, ACCUMULATE DUST OR OTHER FOREIGN MATTER AND CAUSE THE LATCH TO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY.
Remedy: LEXUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact ES300 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Lexus ES300 reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1992 Lexus ES300. The most complained-about area is power train (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Lexus ES300 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 141,818 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Lexus ES300 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.