1994 Lexus ES300 Problems
- Complaints
- 39filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles, 5 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1994 Lexus ES300. The part named most often is seat belts, with 9 complaints (23% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and electrical system (4). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 110,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes 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.
- Seat belts9 23%
- Brakes4 10%
- Electrical system4 10%
- Suspension4 10%
- Air bags3 7.7%
- Steering3 7.7%
- Tires3 7.7%
Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Driver's seatbelt assembly repeatedly unlatches arbitrarily posing serious safety concern. Has occurred while vehicle is stationary and in motion. Flow Lexus of kernersville, nc, refuses to make complimentary repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10104842, filed 2004-12, 110,000 milesBrakes: “When applying the ABS brakes on wet pavement the brakes system failed, causing extended stopping distance which resulted in a collision. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #829143, filed 1998-10Electrical system: “1994 Lexus ES300. Electroluminescent gauges for speedometer and tachometer fail to illuminate. This makes it very difficult or impossible (especially with glare or at night) to determine RPM's or speed. A search on the web will show this is a common problem among 1992 - 1996 ES300's. It is a safety hazard and is something that should be reviewed.”
NHTSA complaint #10280573, filed 2009-08, 110,000 milesSuspension: “Had a side blowout ( ripped 180 degrees on the side where the sidewall is), or the wheel axle had collapsed. Also the nut to steering wheel (due to recall) locked tighter at about 1000 prior to accident.”
NHTSA complaint #9000987, filed 2001-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1994 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 | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 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
- 99V307000Nov 1, 1999Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Lexus ES300 1994–1998, Toyota Camry 1995–1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut may not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Recall details for the 1994 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 1994 Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1994 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 9 complaints (23% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 1994 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 1994 Lexus ES300 get?
The EPA rates the 1994 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 1994 Lexus ES300 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 110,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 110,000 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.