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1996 Lexus ES300 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Lexus ES300 is engine and cooling, typically around 98,143 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical ES300 model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
37
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
33
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21mpg

The worst 1996 Lexus ES300 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    12
  • Airbags
    6
  • Electrical
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Suspension
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    12
  • Airbags
    6
  • Electrical
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Suspension
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Locks
    1
  • Seats
    1

Recalls 1

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported November 1, 1999 · 540,037 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut may not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Risk
This can result in a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the steering wheel set nut.

Recall number 99V307000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1996 Lexus ES300

Defect investigations

Engine seizureOpened April 30, 2002, closed June 20, 2002

DP02004

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Lexus ES300 33

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 33 bulletins for the 1996 Lexus ES300

1996 Lexus ES300 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD182621

What 1996 Lexus ES300 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Fuel system · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 lexus es300. The contact stated that while parked, a strong odor of fuel was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel filler neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,340. Updated 03/24/15*lj updated 10/19/2015

Filed Mar 12, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 126,558 miles · AZ

Was driving home from shopping and went to turn left and all of a sudden the car did not respond smoothly and I almost lost control. Took it to the mechanic and had a lower control arm put in because of a bad bushing but was told the rack and pinion is also bad. There is a lot of play in the steering now.

Filed Jan 6, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 158,000 miles · TX · fire

Car exploded and started fire in the garage after the car had been parked for approximately 20 minutes. Got home from work and stop at grocery store. Parked car in garage and brought in some groceries. About 10 - 15 minutes later went out to get paper products (tp and paper towels) out of trunk. There was nothing out of the ordinary, no smoke, no fire, no noise. Went in side put away everything and started to cook. Heard loud explosion noise. Went to the garage and opened the door. Hot, heavy black smoke and chemical odor came pouring into the house. I could see flames to the left. It was very hot and there was some liquid mixed in, and the garage was pitch black yet it was a very sunny day with the sun pointing at the garage. Because it was so dark, it looked like the garage doors were closed, but actually, one side was open, but I didn't know because it was so black. Couldn't see anything, and my arm was so hot trying to open garage door at wall switch, burned all the hair off my arm. I then left house, 911 was on the way. Garage caught on fire, everything in garage burned or melted, including my car. Interior hall, all fixtures in hall and bath burnt or melted, extensive smoke damage to entire home. Thousands of dollars and almost 10 months in a hotel. Cars are not supposed to explode or start fire when they are off, parked for 20 minutes in your garage.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Acceleration · TX · crash

Tl*-the contact owns a 1996 lexus es300. While the contact was driving approximately 15 MPH, a loud noise was coming from the engine. The vehicle increased acceleration unexpectedly. The ignition was turned off. The vehicle continued and crashed into the side of a building. There was no injury. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The insurance company stated the failure was related to an acceleration issue. The failure mileage was unavailable. The current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Electrical · 172,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated the panel in the dash failed and nothing in the dash could be seen. The vehicle was taken to a dealership were a diagnostics test was performed. It was determined that the instrument cluster panel needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 3/9/2006 -

Filed Sep 26, 2005 · Engine · 145,000 miles · PA

1996 lexus es300; sludge build-up; excessive oil consumption; white smoke on start-up; dealer says the engine needs to be rebuilt at a cost of about $7000. This is the same problem that toyota/lexus has acknowledged for 1997 to 2001 models with the v-6 engine. Why won't they honor the repair to the engine for a 1996 model?

Filed Feb 15, 2004 · Fuel system · IL

Check engine light came on. Servicing dealer replaced o2 sensor - bank 2, sensor 1, part number 89465-33080 - dealer listed as $183.30 for the part while warranty company listed as $128.11 for the same part. When checking warranty coverage, was told warranty did not exist - paid $1,860.00 to bredemann lexus in glenview for the warranty on 6/14/03.

Filed Feb 15, 2004 · Electrical · IL

Battery exploded.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 86,068 miles · GA

Engine failed (seized up) due to oil sludge, despite the fact that the car's oil had been regularly changed. In fact, the car's oil was changed every 3-4,000 miles, not every 5,000 as recommended by lexus. Car was also completely serviced by lexus at 70,000 miles and they obviously didn't look at the engine very well . . . There must have been evidence of sludge by that time.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 93,000 miles · GA

My oil light came on in march. I took the car to the lexus dealer on 141 in norcross because I knew my 3 year warrenty ran out in may. The lexus dealer told me that the oil was not flowing properly. He suggested the previous owner did not change the oil and the oil became caked to the engine. The oil was then braking up in pieces and clogging the engine. He said I needed to get another car. I still had payments left (around 6k) and could not afford it. In october, the engine broke. I called lexus and they told me they can't to anything for me. They wanted 11.5k for a new engine. I had to pay $5,037.49 for a new engine to baron's garage. I changed my oil religiously every 3,000 miles. Please call me at 678‑642‑9913, I want my money refunded

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Questions about the 1996 Lexus ES300

Is the 1996 Lexus ES300 reliable?

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 1996 Lexus ES300, 1.3 times a typical ES300 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Lexus ES300?

Engine and cooling, with 12 complaints, typically around 98,143 miles. Next is airbags (6).

How many recalls does the 1996 Lexus ES300 have?

1 recall, covering steering.

What year does the Lexus ES300 have bad engine?

The Lexus ES300 model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (16 complaints), 2002 (13 complaints) and 1996 (12 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Lexus ES300 get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Lexus ES300 range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.

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