1995 Lexus ES300 Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 103,283miles, 11 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1995 Lexus ES300. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and vehicle speed control (6). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,283 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. 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.
- Electrical system9 24%
- Brakes7 18%
- Air bags4 11%
- Engine cooling4 11%
- Seat belts3 7.9%
- Steering3 7.9%
- Suspension3 7.9%
- Tires3 7.9%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Two gauges have stopped illuminating. A third is about to go. I am unable to see the speed at night which limits use of the vehicle the car is 18 years old with 118,000 miles and rides beautifully but it seems that is too soon for a luxury car to lose use of such vital functions. From researching this issue,it appears to be a known problem with the year and model. I have also learned that later model clusters can be repaired but the 1995's have to be replaced exclusively by Lexus at an exorbitant cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10557353, filed 2013-12, 95,000 milesBrakes: “The consumer experienced surging when driving. The consumer had the transmission replaced. The car accelerated on its own. Nothing would stop the vehicle until the consumer turned the key to the off position. There was carbon build up around the throttle, the rear main seal was worn out, the front brakes were worn, the steering hose was cracked, the temperature would stay the same regardless of the temperature setting, and the transaxle assembly oil pump did not show the pressure.”
NHTSA complaint #10083638, filed 2004-08, 111,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Accelerated around a vehicle that had pulled out in front of me. My vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Cruise control engaged itself. I pumped breaks. Tried to deactivate cruise control unsuccessfully. While heavily pumping breaks, vehicle returned to normal and cruise control light went out.”
NHTSA complaint #10744515, filed 2015-07, 103,283 milesAir bags: “The contact owned a 1995 Lexus ES300. While driving 15 MPH, the contact's vehicle collided with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The passenger sustained fractured bones that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10928784, filed 2016-11, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 93,000 and 138,000 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 1995 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 | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
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 1995 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. 23 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 1995 Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1995 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.
Has the 1995 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 1995 Lexus ES300 get?
The EPA rates the 1995 Lexus ES300 (ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1995 Lexus ES300 reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,283 miles and the middle half falls between 93,000 and 138,000 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.