Total Complaints
46 filings
LEXUS ES300 · model year
46 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1992LEXUSES300 carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 ES300 is air bags:frontal with 3 filings, followed by unknown or other (3) and power train (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1992 ES300. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
46 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
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.
Mileage: 141,000
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE GOING APPROX 30 MPH ON A FLAT DRY PAVED ROAD. *TR
Mileage: 141,835
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.
Mileage: 141,800
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
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.
Mileage: 142,366
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.
Mileage: 142,366
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY POPPED OPEN DAMAGING THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. *TR
Mileage: 170,000
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH WHEN THE HOOD SUDDENLY POPPED OPEN DAMAGING THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. *TR
Mileage: 170,000
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
Mileage: 106,775
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
Mileage: 206,000
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
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
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
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
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
ILLUMINATION OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE HAS FAILED. CONSUMER CAN NOT DISCERN VEHICLE'S SPEED WHEN DRIVING.*AK
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
Mileage: 85,000
THE LIGHTS , CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE RADIATOR WAS FRIED DRIED. AND THE PISTON RINGS ARE FRIED AND TOAST AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND ADVISED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH I KNEW NOTHING OF AND THE PISTON RINGS. IF I JUST REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS, IN ABOUT A 3 MONTHS I WILL HAVE TO DO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ENGINE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO THAT. THE IDIOT LIGHTS AND GAUGES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. DT
THE LIGHTS , CHECK ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES I FELT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS GETTING HOT AND OVERHEATING, CUTTING OUT DYING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THEN THE TEMP GUAGE NEVER BOBBLED OR MOVED UNTIL THE CAR TRIED TO DIE AT 45 MPH. THEN IT BOBBLED, JUST SLIGHTLY THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE RADIATOR WAS FRIED DRIED. AND THE PISTON RINGS ARE FRIED AND TOAST AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND ADVISED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH I KNEW NOTHING OF AND THE PISTON RINGS. IF I JUST REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS, IN ABOUT A 3 MONTHS I WILL HAVE TO DO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ENGINE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO THAT. THE IDIOT LIGHTS AND GAUGES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. DT
VEHICLE STALLS WHENEVER CONSUMER DECELERATES WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.