Model year record

1999 Lexus ES recalls & problems

The 1999 Lexus ES has 1 safety recall and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	2	0	1	—
Electrical system	2	0	2	—
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module	1	0	0	—
Equipment	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm	1	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical systemFire
WIFE DROVE LEXUS 2 MILES TO BAKERY, CRUST N'CRUMBS AT 1370 N MAIN ROAD, VINELAND, NJ. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF BAKERY, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME. I DROVE THERE AND RAISED THE HOOD. 2 COIL PACKS WERE ON FIRE (ABOUT A 2 INCH FLAME) AND THE HOOD INSULATION WAS SMOULDERING. I BLEW OUT THE TWO FIRES AND PUT WATER ON THE COILS AND HOOD INSULATION. THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WAS NOT REPORTED TO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
Oct 17, 2020 · 175,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 22, 2007 THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ON 1999 LEXUS ES300 WOULD NOT BUCKLE AS THE FEMALE(CONSOLE SIDE)PART OF THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETURN ALL THE WAY UP -THE RED BUTTON REMAINED PART WAY DOWN. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A LEXUS PART NO. 73240-33010-A0, BELT ASSY, FRT ST ,BY THE COMPLAINANT AND UPON EXAMINATION OF THE REMOVED PART , A BROKEN OFF PIECE OF RED PLASTIC SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THAT OF THE BUCKLE RELEASE WAS CAUGHT IN THE ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE PIECE OF RED PLASTIC WAS REMOVED FROM THE ASSEMBLY, THE LATCH(BUCKLE) AGAIN APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. THIS FAILURE RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL IT COULD BE REPLACED. *TR
Oct 22, 2007 · 48,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower armCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES 300. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ROD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
May 22, 2007 · 85,000 miles
Equipment
AUDIO DISPLAY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FADED OUT. THIS PROBLEM IS HAVING TO A LOT OF 98-99 LEXUS ES300 MODELS. CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FOR CONSUMERS EVEN THEY KNOW THIS IS A FAILURE TO MANY VEHICLE OWNERS. *JB
Nov 12, 2006
Electrical systemFire
DURING A DRIVE HOME, THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED COMING TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP. THE PANEL LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE ABS. IT THEN RETURNED TO RUNNING SMOOTHLY> I RETURNED HOME WITHIN I MILE WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS, NO ODOR OR PANEL SIGNS SHOWING. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO OUR GARAGE AND TURNED OFF, WITHIN MINUTES MY HUSBAND SAW THE CAR ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT PUT OUT THE FIRE AND THE CAR BECAME A TOTAL LOSS. CALLS TO LEXUS AND FOLLOW-UP WITH TOYOTA WERE NOT ANSWERED AT ALL, NO COMMENT. HAS THERE BEEN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WITH THAT MODEL CAR? THANK YOU. *JB
Jun 6, 2006 · 31,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION - CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, IT WOULD NOT TURN-OFF BUT INSTEAD THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN FROM 55 TO 90 MPH. *NM
Mar 23, 2006 · 113,000 miles
Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlFire
THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO LEXUS & THEY DENIED FAULT OR OBLIGATION TO ASSIST ME: I SPOKE WITH HEATHER STAFFORD WHO ASKED ME TO CALL 800-348-2788 TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED BY A LEXUS IN CHARLESTON SC. I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SERVICE MNGR: DARYL WOULD CALL ME BACK BUT I NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE. LIFE-THREATENING EXPERIENCE INVOLVED THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 1999 LEXUS ES300, THURSDAY, 3/9/06. I HAD SET MY CRUISE ON 50 MPH AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN UP TO 88 MPH. I DEPRESSED THE CRUISE TO TURN IT OFF WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HELD THE BRAKES DOWN, THE ENGINE…
Mar 9, 2006 · 113,000 miles
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON , AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, DEALER ATTRIBUTES THE LIGHT COMING ON TO A LOOSE WIRE LOCATED UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2003 AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES . THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 70,000 MILES AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON , I FEEL MY SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY EVERY TIME THIS LIGHT COMES. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES. *JB
Jun 10, 2003 · 35,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.