1992 Lexus ES300 Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 141,818miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1992 Lexus ES300. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and electrical system (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 141,818 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags6 16%
- Electrical system4 11%
- Engine cooling4 11%
- Body and structure4 11%
- Other or unknown3 8.1%
- Exterior lighting2 5.4%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.4%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Bought this car used, and what seemed to be very good condition with up to date maintenance records. I have had this car three months. All but about 1 week has been in the shop.. The instrament lights went out completely $1000 to fix,,, joke... The power steering pump amd sensors went out causing the radiator to fail caused the car to severly overheat,, caused the transmission to fail and the electrical harness failed to the fuel injector controls causing carbon buildup in the fuel injectors, in my opinion this is the biggest peice of junk I have ever owned.”
NHTSA complaint #10096210, filed 2004-10Air bags: “Car was going 35 MPH on a straight, dry, paved, flat street when the airbag spontaneously deployed without warning resulting in facial abrasions and sudden hearing loss in both ears which continues to this day. Toyota maintains car was old and out of warranty. Car was initially taken to a Lexus specialist who began to investigate moisture on floor of backseat. I advised him to stop and so vehicle was partially disassembled at time of subsequent field technical specialist's inspection. Lexus has remained unresponsive in light of above explanation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10816356, filed 2015-12, 141,000 milesElectrical system: “When I purchased my vehicle I noticed that the speedometer was acting a little funny. After about two weeks the speedometer no longer gave an accurate reading and also noticed that the mileage was slow. I compared a few distances and the car's speedometer only recorded half of the actual mileage traveled. The lights on the needles are flickering and the gas light needle is completely out. It is very hard to know at what speed I am traveling, as well as even know if I have enough fuel, without turning on the cabin light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10182240, filed 2007-02, 106,775 milesEngine cooling: “Was driving vehicle & noticed temperature gauge indicating hot. Took vehicle in for service. Had no indication a problem with engine head gaskets. Had no leaking nor was vehicle overheating. Took to dealer & was informed the engine head gasket was cracked. Ak”
NHTSA complaint #848287, filed 1999-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 141,000 and 142,366 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 Lexus ES300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300 FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| ES 300 FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 94V039000Feb 23, 1994Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Lexus ES300 1992
The secondary hood latch mechanism has a narrow clearance between internal parts which, over time, accumulate dust or other foreign matter and cause the latch to not engage properly.
Recall details for the 1992 Lexus ES300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 22 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Tires, Wheels, Equipment. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10176283May 1, 2020Equipment. Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10174889Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174888Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08…
- 10131653Dec 5, 2017Equipment. TSB: Replacement Certification Labels. OBSOLETE NOTICE November 28, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0179-17.
- 10111398Apr 10, 2015Electrical system, Equipment. LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and…
- 10111205Apr 10, 2015Electrical system, Equipment. LSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and…
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10109447Oct 16, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
Other model years of the Lexus ES300
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | 3,500 | 0 | 5 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 116 | 34,950 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 153 | 30,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 29 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 56 | 77,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 27 | 88,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 52 | 78,564 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 45 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 37 | 109,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 38 | 103,283 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 39 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 43 | 96,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 37 | 141,818 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Lexus ES300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1992 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.
Has the 1992 Lexus ES300 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Lexus ES300 get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Lexus ES300 (ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Lexus ES300 reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 141,818 miles and the middle half falls between 141,000 and 142,366 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.