1992 Lexus ES300 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 24%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1992 Lexus ES300, 24% of the 37 complaints for this model year. 1 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.
“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 2004-10“The lights , check engine and the temperature gauges I felt do not work properly. The engine was getting hot and overheating, cutting out dying and the check engine light never came on. Then the temp guage never bobbled or moved until the car tried to die at 45 MPH. Then it bobbled, just slightly then went back to normal. The radiator was fried dried. And the piston rings are fried and toast and I had absolutely no warning. I had the car towed to the shop, they changed the radiator and advised me of the transmission problem which I knew nothing of and the piston rings. …”
NHTSA complaint #768748, filed 2002-10“Driving 70mph when driver leaned towards passenger's side. In doing so, arm hit gear shift & vehicle went from drive to neutral & then deceleratedapidly and came to a dead stop. Called dealer & was informed gear shift was designed that way.”
NHTSA complaint #821593, filed 1998-04Related service bulletins
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10109447Oct 16, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10109445Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109444Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132108Oct 1, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 27 | 23% |
| 2002 | 52 | 34% |
| 2001 | 5 | 17% |
| 2000 | 10 | 18% |
| 1999 | 3 | 11% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 9 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1992 Lexus ES300
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Lexus ES300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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