1996 Lexus ES300 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 16%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 6 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Lexus ES300, 16% of the 37 complaints for this model year. 5 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.
“Airbag over-sensitivity defect. The consumer feels that the air bag was too sensitive. The vehicle was involved in an accident in which the drivers side bumper and quarter panel was damaged. Both front air bags deployed. An infant car seat , with the consumer child fastened inside, was in the front passenger's seat facing rearward. The impact of the air bag caused fatal injuries to the child.”
NHTSA complaint #10042056, filed 2003-10“Consumer was involved in an head-on collision while traveling 40 MPH in which driver's side and passenger's side air bags did not deploy, causing injuries to driver's side occupant. Please provide any further details. Consumer stated vehicle was a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #881225, filed 2001-02“While driving down the road another vehicle crossed over double lines and spun around and hit consumer's vehicle and went into trees and the hit consumer's vehicle a third time. As a result, driver's head hit windshield. Airbags did not deploy. Consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #845042, filed 1999-08Related service bulletins
- 10131964Jan 16, 2014Lexus vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10133923Jan 16, 2013Lexus vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 11% |
| 2002 | 9 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 10% |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% |
| 1999 | 2 | 7% |
| 1998 | 9 | 17% |
| 1997 | 3 | 7% |
| 1996 | 6 | 16% |
| 1995 | 4 | 11% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 8 | 19% |
| 1992 | 6 | 16% |
Other parts of the 1996 Lexus ES300
11 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Lexus ES300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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