Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Lexus ES300, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Air bags6
- Steering5
- Electrical system5
- Suspension3
- Visibility2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Seat belts2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Fuel system, other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 3 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In New Zealand
2 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
99V307000 · Steering1 Nov 1999 · 540,037 vehicles
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lexus told its dealers about the 1996 Lexus ES300: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 619796 | SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING WHEELNUT SERVICE SPECIFICATION. *TT |
| 619119 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW SEAT BELT TONGUE PLATE STOPPER SERVICE PARTS. *TT |
| 619113 | SUBJECT REGARDING RETRO-FIT INTERNAL TRUNK RELEASE KITS. *TT |
| 614070 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATION HAS BEEN CHANGED. *TT |
| 6088674 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SETTING. *TT |
| 602274 | NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE AVAILABLE TO REDUCE FRONT BRAKE GROAN NOISE, GRINDING NOISE, SQUEAK OR VIBRATION. *YC |
| 601429 | CHARCOAL CANISTER ASSEMBLY SUPPLY PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SIMPLIFY PARTS PRODUCTION AND PERMIT INTERCHANGEABILITY WITH CURRENT MODEL VEHICLES. *YC |
| 52030 | A541E VALVE BODY GASKET NO 2. *JD |
| 52028 | PUBLICATION CORRECTION INFORMATION. *JD |
| 50705 | AIR LEAK NOISE FROM FRONT DOOR GLASS AT LOWER REAR CORNER. *TW |
| 10214355 | Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022 |
| 10207945 | 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 it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well. |
| 10205352 | Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning |
| 10205346 | Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions |
| 10205319 | Brake Pedal Force Gauge SST for Parking Brake Inspection. |
| 10176283 | Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements |
| 10174889 | TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates |
| 10174888 | 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 93, and PG002-90. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1990 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the r |
| 10133926 | In the recent Bi-annual Floor Mat reminder letter distributed November, 2012, Lexus indicated that we were developing support materials that will help remind dealership customers and associates of the importance of proper floor mat usage. |
| 10133923 | Lexus vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pretensioner devices did not per |
| 10133849 | A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system. This bulletin references the correct method for installing the Brake Pedal Force Gauge. Refer to the appropriate Repair Manual for parking brake pedal travel inspection and adjustment specification. |
| 10132108 | This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14. |
| 10132083 | Adhesive & sealant cross reference Information |
| 10132006 | This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0092-13. |
| 10132004 | The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DP02004 · Engine and engine coolingopened 30 Apr 2002 · closed 20 Jun 2002
ENGINE SEIZURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation