The 1990 Lexus ES250 has 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (6 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints9filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Suspension
NHTSA recall 10E002000 · Feb 11, 2010 · 12,657 vehicles
Problem: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
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.
Fuel economy
ES 250
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
ES 250
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
6
5
0
5
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder
2
2
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system
1
0
1
0
—
Seat belts Front › Webbing
1
1
0
1
—
Vehicle speed control
1
1
0
1
—
Suspension
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 25, 2014 · 160,000 milesSuspension THEY WONT HONOR THE RECALL THE PHONE NUMBER GIVEN IS A BUSY SIGNAL AND THE CAR CANT DRIVE CAUSE THE STRUTS ARE REALLY BAD. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
May 3, 2004 · 74,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryVehicle speed control WHILE PULLING INSIDE A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A BRICK WALL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP REQUESTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *SC *JB
Jun 5, 1998 · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY ABOUT 60 MPH, HER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A REASON. SHE GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO SEE IF SHE HAD HIT ANY THING, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY POTHOLES, NOR ANY OBSTACLES AND NO DAMAGES ON HER VEHICLE. *AK
Dec 26, 1991 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION CAUSED CERVICAL SPINE DAMAGE. DUP OF 812606, ADDED ON 25-FEB-98. *AK
Dec 26, 1991 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH THERE WAS A SMALL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEVERE DAMAGE TO HER UPPER BODY. DRIVER IS NOW DISABLED FOR LIFE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL OPERATIONS ON HER NECK. DEALER WAS A WARE OF THE AIR BAG PROBLEM, AND DID NOT WARN ANY OWNERS OF THE DEFECT OF THE AIR BAG. *AK
Jan 31, 1997 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal OWNER WAS DRIVING CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK
Aug 15, 1996 · crashService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING 15-20MPH, DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR .THE MASTER CYLNDER IS LEAKING AIR INTO BRAKE LINE AND CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID. *AK
Mar 8, 1996 · crashAir bags › Frontal AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE FULLY IN FRONT END COLLISION.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA97008 · opened Apr 23, 1997 · closed Apr 22, 1998LEAKING FUEL TANK CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
PE97003 · opened Jan 21, 1997 · closed Apr 23, 1997LEAKING FUEL TANK CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.