I smelled what I thought was transmission fluid or anti-freeze. The next day my wife smelled gas and some friends called my cell to tell me gas was running out from under the car. I could not find a leak under the car. I lifted the hood and found gas running down the side of the engine. After taking the lexus cover off the engine, I found gas shooting straight up into the air. It was coming from a vacuum line that had popped off. I re-attached the line and started the engine. The line popped off and gas again shot straight into the air. I replaced the vacuum line. It stayed on but the gas ran through a nearby switch and onto the engine. It took me a while to figure out the gas should not be going through the vacuum line. The fuel pressure regulator had mal functioned and allowed the gas to go through the vacuum side of the regulator. While driving the regulator had allowed over 10 gallons of gas to pour directly over my engine. It bothers me how easy it would have been for the car, my wife and me to go up in flames. I would hate to have someone die because I failed to warn people of this defect. I do have the defective part.
The worst 1996 Lexus ES problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Lexus ES 8
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground...
- Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- Supersession notice
- Obsolete notice
- Supersession notice
- Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning
What 1996 Lexus ES owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 1996 Lexus ES
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Questions about the 1996 Lexus ES
Is the 1996 Lexus ES reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1996 Lexus ES, fewer than a typical ES model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Lexus ES?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 1996 Lexus ES have?
No recalls on record.
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