2003 Lexus ES300
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lexus › ES300 › 2003
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Owner complaints
116 complaints43 involved a crash4 involved a fire18 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
Sir/madam, I am trying to help my friends (xxxx) and (xxxxx), long time residents of huntington beach and a very sweet couple. peggy was driving her husband to a doctor's appointment and due to a fault in the engine (there IS a recall and they were not informed), the engine caught on fire. If…
Sir/madam, I am trying to help my friends (xxxx) and (xxxxx), long time residents of huntington beach and a very sweet couple. peggy was driving her husband to a doctor's appointment and due to a fault in the engine (there IS a recall and they were not informed), the engine caught on fire. If it hadn't been for the driver behind them who ran to them and got them quickly out of the car and walked them to safety, the outcome would have been very bleak. They are an elderly couple and the husband, (xxxxx), has great difficulty walking and the car burned very quickly. they, thank god, made it to safety in time only to watch their car burn. they informed toyota and since they are on fixed income asked toyota for help with the purchase of another used reliable car (the lexus they were driving was 15 years old but in good condition and more than enough car for their trips to local stores or doctor appointments. Surprisingly, toyota only responded with one letter from customer service. (Xxxx)'s follow up calls and letters to customer service, eco mark templin were never acknowledged or answered. please help this couple believe in humanity again. Toyota IS a reputable company and to have something like this happen without so much as a phone call from the company IS surprising to all that know of this case. I am attaching all the evidence: pictures, copies of letters for your reference. Please provide case number. thank you so much for your help. (xxxxx) for (xxxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, when she saw smoke and fire igniting from the hood. The contact stated the engine failed and turned off in the middle of the road. The contact stated no injuries were sustained. The fire department was able to…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, when she saw smoke and fire igniting from the hood. The contact stated the engine failed and turned off in the middle of the road. The contact stated no injuries were sustained. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but no report was filed. The police was called to the scene but no report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to impound lot. The contact called local dealer lexus USA located at 6565 headquarters dr, plano, tx 75024, (800) 255-3987, and where notified of failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. *as *tr
- Air bags · Electrical system
Vin: (xxxxxx) year: 2003 make: lexus model: es300 (xxxx) air/bag busting thru dash ( * need help ) (xxxx) year: 2003 make: lexus model: es300 airbag IS bulging -see pictures electrical drain on the battery off and on since. parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).
- Air bags
(Xxxx) air/bag busting thru dash ( * need help ) (xxxx) year: 2003 make: lexus model: ES3 parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).
- Electrical system
My driver headlight keeps shorting out.i bought another bulb and same problem .
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke was noticed coming from the engine compartment. The contact managed to pull the vehicle over as it was stalling. The contact exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and noticed flames coming from the battery. The contact…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke was noticed coming from the engine compartment. The contact managed to pull the vehicle over as it was stalling. The contact exited the vehicle, lifted the hood, and noticed flames coming from the battery. The contact called the fire department who extinguished the fire. The contact mentioned that the fire department cut the battery cord and informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 156,000.
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration, in motion in reverse
- Unknown or other
Unwanted acceleration while applying the break while slowing down the rpm gauge pins itself to about 3000. The car will not down shift until it jolts forward just a little and the you can feel the lower gears engage. I bought it as a used vehical about 3 weeks ago with 80,336 miles . I see lots…
Unwanted acceleration while applying the break while slowing down the rpm gauge pins itself to about 3000. The car will not down shift until it jolts forward just a little and the you can feel the lower gears engage. I bought it as a used vehical about 3 weeks ago with 80,336 miles . I see lots of complaints for the same thing on many other vehicals of the same make model and year. I'm assuming it's a bad speed sensor . Why IS this not a recall? This started happening after we took a ride on the highway. And it only appears to happen while the car IS in motion. Sometimes the car will not accelerate when the accelerator IS applied it just makes the rpms rev up, and these doesn't go any faster kind of the same effect you would get if it was in neutral and applied the accelerator.
- Power train · Vehicle speed control
I purchased a used 2003 lexus es30from used car dealer. After a couple days of driving it I noticed it was shifting gears innormally. It would surge up to 4000rmp before shifting to 2ND gear and at one point wasn't moving while I hit the gas the acceleration very fast out of nowhere. My mother also…
I purchased a used 2003 lexus es30from used car dealer. After a couple days of driving it I noticed it was shifting gears innormally. It would surge up to 4000rmp before shifting to 2ND gear and at one point wasn't moving while I hit the gas the acceleration very fast out of nowhere. My mother also had this same year make and model vehicle a few years back and it had the same problem before the transmission went out. I did some research online and found many other lexus customers experienced the same problem. I found a web site that claimed that there was a tsb put out for this vehicle and that the lexus/toyota dealerships would fix this problem with an upgrade. I was wondering if this upgrade IS still available and if my vehicle would qualify? And if so how would I go about this process.
- Vehicle speed control
I was pulling out of the garage slowly to pause on the driveway to close the garage door and when I step on the gas in reverse the car flew out of the garage and I couldn't stop it with the brakes. there was a small roofing across the street which stopped the car. no one was nearby so no one…
I was pulling out of the garage slowly to pause on the driveway to close the garage door and when I step on the gas in reverse the car flew out of the garage and I couldn't stop it with the brakes. there was a small roofing across the street which stopped the car. no one was nearby so no one was hurt. the accelerator seemed stuck for this incident to happen. however, lexus had an inspector check the car and didn't find anything wrong that showed on the computer so they won't take responsibility for this occurrence and they closed the case. I tried to speak to someone to send this to arbitration but no one would speak to me. case closed. this was a very frightening experience with no control in the car. *tr
- Traction control system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact heard a beeping noise. The front end of the vehicle started shaking and the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where an unknown code was cleared. The vehicle was taken…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact heard a beeping noise. The front end of the vehicle started shaking and the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where an unknown code was cleared. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Vehicle speed control
My car over the last couple of years started experiencing abnormal acceleration . There were times it uses to surge or sound like it was ramping up to go fast, even with my foot on the break, you could hear the acceleration trying to ramp up like if my foot wasn't on the break it would just…
My car over the last couple of years started experiencing abnormal acceleration . There were times it uses to surge or sound like it was ramping up to go fast, even with my foot on the break, you could hear the acceleration trying to ramp up like if my foot wasn't on the break it would just take off. then the opposite started to happen. My car idle would just drop and basically when I would go to take off from a stop, the car would not accelerate at all. It was inconsistent so sometimes it would over accelerate and sometimes under. There was no accident, but I've had a few close calls and some people to get aggravated at my car.i took it to the pep boys they thought it needed flushed maybe injection cleaning like all other scenarios I am just now reading about. after that, it seemed to work for a short while, but then the issue start occurring again. I had my spark plugs changed and new coils , new air flow hose to make sure there was no apparent reason for the issues. The problem still exist so I took it to a lexus dealership where their suggestion IS the problem IS in the throttle bottle. It seems to be a common link with the acceleration issue and the same suggestions are made from the mechanics to fuel injection , to spark plugs to seeming like transmission issue and its the throttle body / please have lexus fix these issues.. they are expensive for the owner to have to go through all the trouble shooting and range of . information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle increased acceleration unexpectedly. The vehicle failed to reduce speed and crashed into another vehicle and a fence. The contact suffered from a fractured…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle increased acceleration unexpectedly. The vehicle failed to reduce speed and crashed into another vehicle and a fence. The contact suffered from a fractured right arm and sustained bruises to the body. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Power train
I purchased my vehicle from carmax about 2.5 months ago with an extended warranty. after driving my vehicle daily back and forth to work, I noticed the hesitation while coming to complete stop or a traffic light. the rpm would increase while the transmission would hesitate when I pushed the…
I purchased my vehicle from carmax about 2.5 months ago with an extended warranty. after driving my vehicle daily back and forth to work, I noticed the hesitation while coming to complete stop or a traffic light. the rpm would increase while the transmission would hesitate when I pushed the accelerator between the speeds of 10 - 35 mph. at first sign, it appeared the transmission was defected, so I decided to take it to carmax service center. two days later I received my 2003 lexus es300 with a clean slate (the service technicians indicated the transmission did not indicated wear) and I was told to bring it back if I still had the same problem. I am taking my vehicle to the service center with more information tomorrow. lexus/toyota needs to either recall these vehicles to fix this issue or they will have a major lawsuits from a lot of people with a class action suite. this IS a very dangerous situation and needs to be address from lexus/toyota representatives to keep toyota/lexus in good standings. after reading other complaints, I am really nervous about driving my vehicle and I just purchased it. *tr
- Engine
After the vehicle has been running from a light or stop there IS hesitation when trying to accelerate. I have taken the vehicle to the lexus dealer in owings mills,md.several times.the first instance they said could not get the vehicle to repeat it. I went back complaining for the second time a was…
After the vehicle has been running from a light or stop there IS hesitation when trying to accelerate. I have taken the vehicle to the lexus dealer in owings mills,md.several times.the first instance they said could not get the vehicle to repeat it. I went back complaining for the second time a was told that it could be fuel injectors clogged followed by another list of potential service items for about $1000+ expense which we deniedit since we have always maintained our car good & alwaysuse 93OR 89 octane gas with maintenance service as recommended. This IS my wife's car and I am always worried about a potential accident with this car.lately this hesitation frequency has increased from what we hear IS that we are not alone and seems to be an ongoing problems. *tr
- Engine · Power train · Unknown or other
We have experienced on several occassions that vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate at stop sign or when initialy in start to drive at about 20-30 miles per hour at times for few seconds & at times it rattles 3-4 times. This car was purchased as certified pre-owned from lexus dealer in…
We have experienced on several occassions that vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate at stop sign or when initialy in start to drive at about 20-30 miles per hour at times for few seconds & at times it rattles 3-4 times. This car was purchased as certified pre-owned from lexus dealer in excellent condition in 2006 that came with extended warranty upto 75000 miles but this problem started with slight & smooth jerk about 3 years back, took it to dealer after noticed for few times to diagnosis. At first instance they could not feel it since it was not consistent but when again complained for second time was told that it could be fuel injectors cloged followed by other list of potential service items we were talking about $1000+ expense which we denied it since we have always maintained our car good & always use 93 or 89 octaine gas with maintenance service as recommended. This one IS my wife's vehicle & used to commute to work mostly on express way. We do have couple other issues with this car but not as important. Now, lately this hesitation frequency have increased & from what I hear IS that we are not alone and this seems to be an ongoing issue with some other es300 owners as well. *tt
- Vehicle speed control
On 9/4/2011 at approx. 1: 41 pm, I was pulling my 2003 lexus es300 (with my foot on the brake) into a shopping center parking space when it suddenly surged, then accelerated over the curb and onto a sidewalk where people were dining at tables. as the car accelerated over the curb, I pushed…
On 9/4/2011 at approx. 1: 41 pm, I was pulling my 2003 lexus es300 (with my foot on the brake) into a shopping center parking space when it suddenly surged, then accelerated over the curb and onto a sidewalk where people were dining at tables. as the car accelerated over the curb, I pushed harder on the brake and tried to steer the car away from the diners. As the lexus goes over the curb and onto the sidewalk, the car continued to accelerate like it was being pulled, and the driver's side bumper hit a table of diners. three people are injured; one with compound fracture. The car continued to accelerate as I continued to push on the brake, trying to will this car to stop. it hit tables and chairs as people jumped out of the way of this runaway car! The car deflected off a building and came to a stop on the sidewalk. My foot was still on the brake. Tire marks from the braking were visible on the curb and sidewalk as local news stations recorded and aired. Airbags did not deploy. The weather and visibility were clear. around 10/4/2011, one month after the wreck, a toyota investigator inspected the car's accelerator pedal and found it "operated smoothly and returned to its idle position withoutany binding or sticking...[it was] correctly aligned...no damage observed. The electrical connector was in place and secure....a diagnostic system check showed that there were no trouble codes relating to the operation of the vehicle." but my foot was on the brake. as of 3/12/2012: property damage: $20,000. Lexus body damage:$9000. Personal injuries: one settled, one countered, one talking with a personal injury lawyer. I no longer own the car. I was terrified to drive it. *tr
- Air bags
2003 ES 300 - air bag sensor issues: this issue IS ongoing as of nov 2011 and started back in 2005. why doesn't lexus offer a way for consumers to fix error codes on their own vehicles? I know what my error code IS - b1186 - though, lexus wouldn't tell me this. I had to find out by doing my…
2003 ES 300 - air bag sensor issues: this issue IS ongoing as of nov 2011 and started back in 2005. why doesn't lexus offer a way for consumers to fix error codes on their own vehicles? I know what my error code IS - b1186 - though, lexus wouldn't tell me this. I had to find out by doing my own diagnostic testing. depending on who I spoke with, they told me different things from needing a driver sensor replaced, to the passenger sensor, to the center sensor, to the driver airbag, to needing all of it replaced. each person I spoke with was extremely reluctant to provide me with any information about the problem and said that I needed to bring the vehicle back for them to fix. the first time I took it in, they said it would cost about $700 (2008). Last month, they said it could be anywhere from $1500-$3500. I have done my share of research, reading all I can online, including consumer forums. I have read 100S of complaints about airbags - sensor issues, lack of deployment, check light on, etc.. It appears that lexus has had issues with airbags for years. yet, there has not been any recalls or even class action lawsuits. I can't sell it with the light on and its not worth putting that much money into it. but, lexus won't offer me another solution except to fork over all my savings. *kb
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
2003 ES 300 - transmission issues: I have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration almost every time, along with hard shifting 50% of the time. The acceleration hesitation can be scary if I'm trying to enter the highway, or turning left. the hard shifting feels like I got hit from behind.…
2003 ES 300 - transmission issues: I have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration almost every time, along with hard shifting 50% of the time. The acceleration hesitation can be scary if I'm trying to enter the highway, or turning left. the hard shifting feels like I got hit from behind. both problems have been going ongoing for years and lexus dealer has never been any help. I read many of the online forums and found that both of these problems are very common as are their results for getting these issues fixed - not much luck from the dealer - "it works as it IS designed". really? Lexus needs to stand behind their product. I can't believe how many complaints I have read (100S) and their hasn't been a recall. how does a consumer go about pushing for a recall, or class action or will the lemon law work? *kb
- Air bags
TL* the contact owned a 2003 lexus es300. the driver was traveling 45 mph and lost control of the vehicle. The driver crashed into a row of bushes and then struck a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The cause of the crash was undetermined. The driver and a passenger were killed. A police report was filed and the vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 to 40 mph merging into traffic, another vehicle crashed into the drivers side of her vehicle. Upon impact none of the air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to her arms, legs and was transported to…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 to 40 mph merging into traffic, another vehicle crashed into the drivers side of her vehicle. Upon impact none of the air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to her arms, legs and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they investigating the failure. The failure and current mileage was approximately 139,000.
- Vehicle speed control
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus es300. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the accelerator pedal suddenly became stuck and the vehicle crashed into a concrete railroad. The dealer had not been notified. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would investigatie. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 118,000.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
I noticed when I would pull out of my driveway I would hear a knock when I put the car in reverse also; I was driving home from work one evening and it was raining I was on a busy freeway, I was beginning to slow down and the brakes went all the way to the floor and a loud rubbing noise occurred I…
I noticed when I would pull out of my driveway I would hear a knock when I put the car in reverse also; I was driving home from work one evening and it was raining I was on a busy freeway, I was beginning to slow down and the brakes went all the way to the floor and a loud rubbing noise occurred I slid for about a min. Thank god I was able to pull off the freeway ,this has occurred several times, I prepare for it now by being very careful. This IS my only means of transportation. Just the other day I was on a business trip and the guy that valet parked my car told me he almost hit another car, because of the brakes going all the way down. I have had the brakes change and 2 sets of tires within the last 2 yrs neither was the problem. Please help. *Tr
- Air bags · Traction control system
I had a total loss car crash , a lexus ES 300 on my way to college , my neck and back were affected and not even one airbag opened to protect the passengers , that thank god I was the only one , that tragic day. I bought that car , not for luxury but for the safety and security it offered and that…
I had a total loss car crash , a lexus ES 300 on my way to college , my neck and back were affected and not even one airbag opened to protect the passengers , that thank god I was the only one , that tragic day. I bought that car , not for luxury but for the safety and security it offered and that in my case didn't work. My car has a defect and a very serious one. How many other lexus might have the same defect? Do someone will have to die to solve this. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
On march 26, 2010 my husband and I were stopped at a traffic signal, (with my foot on the brake as you would expect), when the car suddenly accelerated at full throttle. in the brief but terrifying moments that the car was out of control I unfortunately collided with another vehicle as I threw the gear selector into neutral. *Tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Unwanted and unintended acceleration
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp09-001 on april 8, 2009, to evaluate a defect petition requesting additional investigation of potential throttle control system defects unrelated to floor mat interference with accelerator pedals in model year (my) 2007 lexus ES 350 vehicles.the petitioner referenced…
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp09-001 on april 8, 2009, to evaluate a defect petition requesting additional investigation of potential throttle control system defects unrelated to floor mat interference with accelerator pedals in model year (my) 2007 lexus ES 350 vehicles.the petitioner referenced an earlier odi investigation concerning floor mat interference with accelerator pedal return (pe07-016/ea07-010), which he stated was too narrow in scope as it did not include all incidents of unwanted acceleration and consider all potential causes of vehicle speed control concerns.the petition also requested an investigation of my 2002-2003 lexus es300 for those 'longer duration incidents involving uncontrollable acceleration where brake pedal application allegedly had no effect' that were determined not to be within the scope of investigation pe04-021. As background, the petitioner owns a my 2007 lexus es350 that allegedly experienced an unwanted and uncontrolled acceleration event (odi complaint number 10261660).toyota concluded that the incident was caused by an unsecured floor mat. To assess the petitioner's request, odi interviewed the petitioner, inspected his vehicle, reviewed information submitted by toyota, reviewed owner complaints alleging incidents of unwanted acceleration in the subject vehicles and material related to the investigations cited by the petitioner.odi identified 64 complaints alleging incidents of unwanted acceleration in my 2007 lexus vehicles, resulting in 8 crashes and 15 injuries.odi's analysis of these complaints determined that 50 (78%) involved incidents of floor mat interference, including 7 (88%) of the crashes and all 15 injuries.therefore, odi's analysis found that the only defect trend related to vehicle speed control in the subject vehicles involved the potential for accelerator pedals to become trapped near the floor by out-of-position or inappropriate floor mat installations. On october 5, 2009, toyota initiated a safety recall (recall 09v-388) to address concerns with potential accelerator pedal entrapment by floor mats in approximately 3.8 million vehicles, including the subject vehicles.except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to that recall, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation IS necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation IS unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a nhtsa order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect, as alleged by the petitioner, at the conclusion of the requested investigation.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition IS denied.this action does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.please see thefederal register notice for further details.
- Vehicle speed control
In a letter dated july 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (nhtsa) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding…
In a letter dated july 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (nhtsa) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 toyota and lexus vehicles, or to reopen a prior investigation preliminary evaluation (pe) 04-021.in a letter dated august 18, 2005, mr. Ziprin amended his petition to include allegations of interrelated brake and acceleration problems that allegedly result in inappropriate and uncontrollable vehicle accelerations.the 1172 vehicle owner questionnaire reports cited by the petitioner involve 4 lexus and 15 toyota models defining a population of 7 million vehicles.the reports typically alleged a defect in the brake system, the throttle control system, or a combination of both systems.in its review of the reports, odi a) failed to find evidence to support the existence of a brake related defect in the cited models, and b) determined that many cited products were not equipped with etc.accordingly, odi restricted its analysis to the 432 petitioner reports involving my 2002 to 2005 camry, solara, and ES models (all equipped with etc) that alleged an abnormal throttle control event (see the january 3, 2006 federal register notice for further details).about 40% of the 432 reports involve a driveability concern where the operator intentionally applies the throttle pedal, in expectation that the vehicle will accelerate, and then experiences a delay or hesitation in vehicle response.these reports involve vehicle response to intentional driver commands which odi considers unrelated to the allegations raised by the petitioner.therefore, the reports do not provide support for the investigation requested.about 20% of the reports involve incidents where operators allege vehicle acceleration without driver input and an inability of the brake system to control the vehicle when applied.neither the reports, nor the interviews conducted by odi, identified any vehicle-based cause to explain the incidents or disclosed evidence to support that a failure of the brake or throttle control system had occurred.because these reports do not indicate a distinct safety defect for investigation, the reports do not provide support for the investigation requested by the petitionerthe remaining reports (~ 40%, similar to the petitioner?s and those of pe04-021) typically describe incidents where a vehicle IS being maneuvered at slow speed in a close quarter situation at which point the operator alleges that the vehicle accelerates without driver input and crashes.in the aftermath, operators are unsure of whether the brakes were applied or not, sometimes stating there was insufficient time to use the brake; a crash occurred and the operator believes an uncommanded acceleration caused it.in spite of the effort expended during pe04-021 and during this analysis, odi has not identified any vehicle-based cause to explain the reports, or uncovered any evidence to indicate that a throttle control system failure occurred.therefore, the reports have ambiguous significance and do not constitute a basis on which any further investigative action IS warranted.based on the analysis conducted, it IS unlikely that the nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of a safety related defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.consequently, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources t
- Throttle control system
The lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the V6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc)…
The lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the V6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc) on the subject vehicles beginning in model year (my) 2002.odi opened the investigation to determine if the system could be the cause of complaints alleging the engine speed increased, or failed to decrease, (for a short duration) when the accelerator pedal was not depressed (the alleged defect).during the course of the investigation, odi analyzed agency data and reviewed vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports, conducted interviews involving 113 voq and 36 toyota reports, inspected two complainant vehicles, reviewed relevant toyota service and new car feature documentation, reviewed and analyzed toyota?s responses to odi?s information request letter, conducted a limited control pedal assessment, and attended a toyota technical presentation that included the assessment of two demonstration vehicles.through interviews, odi identified 14 voq and 6 toyota reports (20 unique vehicles) where complainants report multiple occurrences of the alleged defect.in some cases the condition was experienced by different vehicle operators or was witnessed by other occupants.odi was unable to make a determination as to the cause of 9 toyota and an additional 37 voq reports (which describe 28 unique incidents) due to insufficient information.the remaining complainants interviewed (62 voq, 21 toyota) described conditions not caused by a failure of the throttle control system and were thus considered unrelated to the investigation.none of the complainants interviewed reported a component failure (or other indicator of a system failure) as the potential cause of incidents relevant to this investigation.in many cases, the complaint vehicles were subsequently inspected by dealership or manufacturer representatives who also failed to identify a fault within the vehicle.toyota identified 43 related warranty claims, 24 of which were for diagnostic purposes only (no repairs performed).odi found nothing abnormal in the control pedal configuration of the subject vehicles.a defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see the attached summary for further detail.
- Throttle control system
The population number noted above IS estimated.in the january 15TH, 2004 petition request letter to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa), the petitioner identified 37 voq complaints as related to vehicle speed control issues similar to those the petitioner allegedly experienced in their own…
The population number noted above IS estimated.in the january 15TH, 2004 petition request letter to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa), the petitioner identified 37 voq complaints as related to vehicle speed control issues similar to those the petitioner allegedly experienced in their own vehicle on multiple occasions (as described in the petition request letter).during it's consideration of the request, the office of defects investigation (odi) reviewed the 37 complaints and concluded that 34 of the complaints did not involve a throttle control issue as described and alleged by the petitioner; three voqs (one of which IS the petitioner's) do allege a throttle control issue.however, the throttle control issues alleged by the petitioner are similar to those alleged in the supporting voqs for preliminary evaluation pe04-021 which involves the throttle control system on model year 2002 and 2003 toyota camry and camry solara models.based on odi's review of available service information, it appears the throttle control system manufactured on the lexus es300 models IS the same as, or similar to, the throttle control system used on the toyota camry and camry solara models.accordingly, the es300 models will be added to the scope of pe04-021 and the petition IS granted.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11003643Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. While the quality and durability of paint on Lexus vehicles is continuously being improved, it remains the dealers responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicles paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
- 11003642Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-PG004-94. The entire bulletin has been updated.
- 11003641Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
- 11003588Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. While the quality and durability of paint on Lexus vehicles is continuously being improved, it remains the dealers responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicles paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
- 11003587Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-PG004-94. The entire bulletin has been updated.
- 11003586Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
- 10214355Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10207945POL: 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.
- 10205383Spots in Window Glass - vehicle exterior
- 10205352Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning
- 10205346Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10205331Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset
- 10205330Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset
- 10205329Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset.
- 10205327Techstream ECU Flash Reprogramming Procedure.
- 10205319Brake Pedal Force Gauge SST for Parking Brake Inspection.
- 10179697TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.
- 10179601TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.
- 10177783TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20.
- 10177780TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST004-01, SU001-08, and L-SB-0174-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding. This Service Bulletin provides best practice procedures for vehicle pulling complaint, diagnosis, and repair for 2002 ? 2021 model year Lexus vehicles. This information supplements Repair Manual procedures when the symptoms are: ?Vehicle Pulling: The vehicle moves to the right or left when the driver holds the steering wheel while driving straight ahead without exerting steering effort. ?Steering Wheel Off Center: The vehicle travels straight, but the steering wheel is not pointed straight ahead. The vehicle is not pulling. Before repairing a vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the cause of the pulling condition. Frequently, pulling to one side is diagnosed as a wheel alignment concern. However, the actual cause may be related to the lateral force generated by the tires, vehicle damage, road crown or worn components. Performing a wheel alignment when tire force is the cause could result in the wheel alignment being set at a value outside of specifications. This could then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear, etc. A customer may notice a pull to the left when in the left lanes of travel and notice a pull to the right or no pull when traveling in the right lanes of travel on the very same section of roadway. This road crown effect is environmental and cannot be corrected with suspension adjustments or any other wheel or tire modification discussed in this bulletin.
- 10176283Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10174889TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174888TSB: 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 requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.
- 10133926In 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.
- 10133923Lexus 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
- 10133914Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprograming process and outlines use of the TIS and the CUW.
- 10133910When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.
- 10133849A 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.
- 10132778TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-June 12, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete.
- 10132777TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.
- 10132739TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 7, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete.
- 10132734TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
- 10132726TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
- 10132625TSB: Revision Notice: Applicability section has been updated to include 2016-2017 applicable model year Lexus vehicles. The Repair Procedure section, Required Tools & Equipment section, and the Repair Procedure section has been updated. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.
- 10132108This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10132083Adhesive & sealant cross reference Information
- 10132074Beginning in 1998, Lexus introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Lexus does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover materials on vehicles due to the following: Seat covers NOT recommended by Lexus may affect side airbag performance, in general or in part, during an accident. Modifications that negatively affect side airbag performance can result in severe occupant injuries. Seat covers are an integral part of this safety system. Replacing fabric seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover materials may compromise the effectiveness of this safety system. The design of the seat is complex, integrating safety and strength with comfort and luxury. Lexus strongly discourages modifying original equipment seats that have optional side airbags. Additionally, Lexus strongly advises against the installation or use of aftermarket seat covers, which could impair the performance of the side airbags in the event of an accident.
- 10132006This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0092-13.
- 10132004The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10131964Lexus vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (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 pre-tensioner devices did not perform as expected (including an unintended deployment event), please follow the steps in the recommendations section below.
Every Lexus ES300 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.