Model year record
2003 Lexus ES recalls & problems
The 2003 Lexus ES has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 23 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (6 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Lexus ES.
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 | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 69,456 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission | 5 | 32,000 mi |
| Service brakes | 4 | 260,000 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal | 3 | — |
| Steering | 3 | 260,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 3 | — |
| Engine | 3 | — |
| Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer | 3 | 235,000 mi |
| Seat beltsFront › Anchorage | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Lexus ES 300. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 136,406. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 235,000.
- Engine
UNKNOWN
- Service brakesCrash1 injury
I WAS COMING UP MY STREET LIKE I DO EVERY DAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING AND I WAS STUCK STARING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I HIT A TREE AND GOT SEVERELY INJURED THE CAR IS TOTALED
- Service brakesCrash1 injury
I WAS DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL DOING SPEED LIMIT 30. THE CAR STARTED TO EXHILARATE RIGHT BEFORE MY TURN ON THE MY STREET. THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING FASTER THE STEARING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T STOP AND RAN START INTO A TREE AND SPUN OUT, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES *TT *AS
- Air bags
1) PASSENGER DRIVER SIDE DASH AIR BAG LOOKS AS IF IT IS READY TO BURST. 2) TRANSMISSION OFTEN HAS SLIGHT SLIP WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICE AT CERTAIN GEAR CHANGE WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC VEHICLE.
- Suspension
NO DESCRIPTION
- Vehicle speed controlCrash
DRIVING OUT OF MY GARAGE USUALLY SLOWLY AND WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS WHILE IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT THE CAR JUST FLEW OUT INTO THE STREET. THE IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO BRAKE AND COULDN'T WORK. WHEN I HIT A TRUCK IN THE STREET BEHIND ME THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. I HAD NO CONTROL. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, A FIRST TIME AND A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. THE CAR IS AT THE LEXUS AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP WAITING FOR THE LEXUS INSPECTOR TO GO OVER THE CAR. I WOULD BE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE FUTURE THINKING THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN ANYTIME. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND FELT THIS IS THE BEST CAR I EVER OWNED UNTIL NOW. *TR
- EngineCrash1 injury
I WAS REVERSING AND TRYING TO TURN WHEN MY CAR LEXUS ES 300 SUDDENLY PICKED UP HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION BY IT SELF AND WENT FORWARD AND HIT A FENCE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE PICKED UP UNINTENTIONAL HIGH SPEED (FULL THROTTLE). IT WAS BEYOND MY CONTROL. MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND BACKWARD VIOLENTLY. FOR FEW DAYS I HAVE EXPERIENCED MUSCLE STIFFNESS, PAIN AND POOR NIGHT SLEEP. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.