1995 Lexus ES300: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 1999
1
recalls
38
owner complaints
2
fire reports
103,283
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Problems tend to appear late (median 103,283 mi)Weak spot: electrical system (22%)2 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)22% · 8 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)14% · 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)11% · 4 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)8% · 3 complaints
Tires8% · 3 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)8% · 3 complaints
“Tl* the contact owned a 1995 lexus es300. While driving 15 mph, the contact's vehicle collided with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The passenger sustained fractured bones that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Accelerated around a vehicle that had pulled out in front of me. My vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Cruise control engaged itself. I pumped breaks. Tried to deactivate cruise control unsuccessfully. While heavily pumping breaks, vehicle returned to normal and cruise control light went out.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2015
“Two gauges have stopped illuminating. A third is about to go. I am unable to see the speed at night which limits use of the vehicle the car is 18 years old with 118,000 miles and rides beautifully but it seems that is too soon for a luxury car to lose use of such vital functions. From researching this issue,it appears to be a known problem with the year and model. I have also learned that later model clusters can be repaired but the 1995's have to be replaced exclusively by lexus at an exorbitant cost. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* lexus sudden acceleration comments: my 1995 lexus es300 had sudden acceleration problem on november 1, 2010. After the problem was solved by changing a part the engine seemed to be ok, however, on february 28, 2011, when the engine was started normally with transmission in park, the engine roared suddenly for a second and then returned to normal idle. The failure mileage was 167,825. The contact wants to use the complaint that was sent via email. Updated 06/24/11 *bf updated 3/01/2012 *ln *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 lexus es300. The contact stated that none of the instrument panel gauges illuminate. As a result, the contact does not know when the vehicle needs fuel, what speed he is traveling, or if there is any failure with the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the entire instrument panel needed to be removed and sent to the factory. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. He believes that the manufacturer should pay for the repairs because all of the gauges should not be failing. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000 and current mileage was approximately 150,000. Updated 10-29-08 *bf u[dated 10/30/08. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2008
“Currently have 1995 lexus es300. The instrument display has stopped illuminating which makes it difficult to see during the daylight hours, and impossible to see at night. Being a physician I see many patients who have been in accidents with fully functional cars. Seeing your speed at night is imperative, and I believe it the responsibility of lexus to submit a recall to have the thousands of units repair before countless accidents, injuries, and deaths occur. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 lexus es300. While driving 60 mph, the air bags deployed without warning. As of november 7, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The current and failure mileages were 200,000. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2007
“I have 95 lexus es300. The electro speedometer pointer(needle) has faded and I can not see my seed any more. I checked web site and I found so many people have same problem, but there are no answers. It seems toyota is ignoring this problem while creating very unsafe cars. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the speedometer gauge stopped working without prior warning. The speedometer does not measure the vehicle's speed. Also, the gauge panel surrounding the speedometer does not illuminate. Although the vehicle was seen by the dealer, no repairs were made.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2006
“The consumer experienced surging when driving. The consumer had the transmission replaced. The car accelerated on its own. Nothing would stop the vehicle until the consumer turned the key to the off position. *ak there was carbon build up around the throttle, the rear main seal was worn out, the front brakes were worn, the steering hose was cracked, the temperature would stay the same regardless of the temperature setting, and the transaxle assembly oil pump did not show the pressure. *sc *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR99V307000 · Nov 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
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 1995 Lexus ES300 reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1995 Lexus ES300. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Lexus ES300 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,283 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Lexus ES300 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning steering: steering wheel/handle bar. 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.