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Lexus ES300Model year report

1993 Lexus ES300 Problems

Complaints
43filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
96,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1993 Lexus ES300. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (21% of the total), followed by air bags (8) and engine cooling (7). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 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.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “After driving home from getting an oil leak repaired by the dealership vehicle caught on fire under the hood.dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10073869, filed 2004-05, 105,000 miles

Air bags: “Consumer was invovled in a 35 MPH frontal collision in which the driver's air deployed, causing the occupant to receive burns on his chin/chest and the upper and lower parts of right arm. Please give any further details.”

NHTSA complaint #816498, filed 1997-09

Engine cooling: “A cloud of blue smoke comes out when I first start my car in the morning. I was told by the dealer that the 3.0 liter engines have sludge problems and need to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10002903, filed 2003-01, 123,000 miles

Equipment: “While traveling on the highway and without any prior warning the vehicle will overheat and shut down . Consumer added there were problems with the vehicle's air conditioner, and a strong gasoline smell inside the vehicle. The consumer was told the head gasket was blown because of poor maintenance at the dealership and the vehicle was in need of a radiator although the leaks were coming from the engine and the water pump the oxygen sensor failed.”

NHTSA complaint #10026659, filed 2003-11, 132,495 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

13% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 84,000 and 123,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2513%25–5013%50–7525%75–10038%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 96,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’95’97’998’01’03’06’09’16
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1993 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ES 300 FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700
ES 300 FWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual162218$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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1993 Lexus ES300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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.

See all 22 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201353,50005——Not enough data
200311634,9500—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200215330,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012960,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20005677,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19992788,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19985278,5641—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199745100,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199637109,0001—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199538103,2831—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199439110,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19934396,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199237141,8181—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus ES300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Lexus ES300 have?

NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1993 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1993 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (21% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.

Has the 1993 Lexus ES300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1993 Lexus ES300 get?

The EPA rates the 1993 Lexus ES300 (ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Lexus ES300 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,000 miles and the middle half falls between 84,000 and 123,000 miles; 13% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.