2003 Lexus ES Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 13%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 260,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Lexus ES, 13% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 260,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11256773, filed 2019-09, 260,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11256982, filed 2019-09, 260,000 miles“Clicking noise when turning steering wheel; took the car to wilkie Lexus dealership in ardmore, pa. They told me that the car needs new steering shaft. Car has 52000 miles and a part like this failing this early is not explained.”
NHTSA complaint #10203696, filed 2007-09, 52,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 1 | 11% |
| 2015 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 3 | 13% |
| 2002 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus ES
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lexus ES
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology