1998 Lexus ES300 Problems
- Complaints
- 52filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 78,564miles, 22 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe airbags that did not deploy in collisions. Other recurring reports involve fuel pressure damper or regulator problems with gasoline odor in the cabin, cars that accelerate or do not stop when the brake pedal is pressed, and seat belts that retract or latch poorly. Mileage in the reports ranges from about 44,000 to 236,000 miles where it is given, and some symptoms, such as fuel odor, come and go over months.
- Air bags
Airbags did not deploy in some crashes
- 9 complaints (17%)
- median 68,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2011
Owners describe frontal and side collisions in which the airbags did not inflate, in some cases with bruising or neck and shoulder injuries. One owner says the seat belt also did not lock during a broadside impact. Some owners say they contacted the manufacturer, and one reports no reply after repeated attempts. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 60,000 to 157,000 miles, and where a speed is stated, the crashes were at roughly 35 to 50 mph.
What to check: Ask whether the airbag service bulletins for this model were checked, and confirm that the airbag warning light goes off after startup.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My 1998 Lexus hit a cement wall and the air bag did not deploy. I called and wrote to Lexus headquarters three times and they never responded. I want to hear from Lexus about this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10376579, filed 2011-01, 60,000 miles“Air bag, driver's and passenger's, failed to deploy in a frontal collision that destroyed vehicle. Driver was only person in car and from the seat/lap belt suffered sever bruising on torso, abdomen and thighs. Left knee badly bruised from contact with steering column. The seat/lap belt did not fail. The car was a 1998 Lexus ES300 with approximately 157,000 miles and in excellent condition. …”
NHTSA complaint #10247267, filed 2008-10, 157,000 miles - Fuel system
Fuel pressure damper leaks and gasoline odor in cabin
Mentioned in 4 of 35 sampled complaints
Owners describe a fuel pressure damper or regulator that failed, with gasoline spilling onto the engine or fumes entering the cabin through the air intake. Other owners report an intense gasoline smell inside the car that appears without a clear pattern and can last for the length of a drive. In at least one case, after the car lost power on the highway, the dealer replaced the fuel pressure damper. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 87,000 to 145,000 miles, and the odor reports come and go over many months.
What to check: Ask whether the fuel pressure damper or regulator has been replaced, and check for a gasoline smell in the cabin and around the engine during a test drive or inspection.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Over the last few years, I have periodically complained to my toyota of tucson (auto mall) service dept. That my '98 ES300 periodically produces intense gasoline odor in the passenger compartment. It can happen at any time, many months apart. The fumes seem to be swept in through A/C or heating vents, and can continue for the duration of a local drive, only to disappear the next time the car is started. The problem does not seem to follow any pattern -- not just after fill-up; not just at start-up; not just when engine hot or cold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313796, filed 2010-02, 90,000 miles“Fuel pressure regulator (damper) failed allowing fuel to flow into engine compartment and fumes through air intake into passenger compartment. Could have been a serious fire if not detected in time and repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10393180, filed 2011-03, 145,000 miles - Vehicle speed control
Car accelerates or fails to stop when braking
- 5 complaints (10%)
- median 68,000 mi at 12.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2006–2010
Owners describe the car moving forward or backward while the brake pedal is pressed, often at low speed while parking, pulling into a space or approaching an intersection. Other reports describe crashes into a pole, a garage, a fence or another vehicle. One owner says the brakes did not slow the car at about 5 to 10 mph until it hit something, and another states that floor mats were not involved. Mostly reported at low speed while parking, backing or approaching an intersection, at mileage from about 53,000 to 236,000 miles.
What to check: During a test drive at low speed, check that the brake pedal slows and stops the car, and ask for any brake or throttle inspection records.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The accident was due to unintended-acceleration as the car lurched forward fighting the brake. It seemed as though the accelerator had a life of its own overriding the braking actions I tried to implement. I was proceeding slowly up the long narrow driveway. I made a right turn into a parking place that was perpendicular to the walk-way. I slowly tapped the gas on my Lexus es 300 and then the brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10296641, filed 2009-12, 236,000 miles“I experienced unintended acceleration in my 1998 Lexus es while backing into my garage. I had my foot on the brake, but the vehicle took off in reverse and crashed into the back of the garage, damaging both the car and the garage. I was not injured, but was certainly frightened by the incident. I am certain it had nothing to do with floor mats. I am also certain that I did not place my foot on the accelerator accidentally, because this happened from a complete stop while pressing on the brake with the car in gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10341825, filed 2010-07, 68,000 miles - Seat belts
Seat belt retractor or buckle not working properly
- 7 complaints (13%)
- median 108,500 mi at 13.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2013
Owners describe seat belts that retract slowly or not at all, and rear buckles that will not latch even after cleaning and lubrication. One owner says a door closed on the unretracted belt latch and damaged the belt, and the dealer declined to replace the belt or retractor. Another reports the belt did not lock during a side impact, so the passenger was pushed toward the driver. Where mileage is given, it is about 60,000 miles, and most of these complaints do not state mileage.
What to check: Pull each seat belt out fully and check that it retracts smoothly and that the buckle latches and releases.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Seat belt retraction failure. The seat belt on my 1998 Lexus had been slow to retract, sometimes not retract at all. It appears this problem is not unique to this model or year. Many other vehicles made by toyota and Lexus have the exact same problem (based on searching on the internet). This is probably due to a defect in components of the seat belt assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10390066, filed 2011-03“Vehicle was involved in an accident; vehicle was broadsided on passenger's side at approximately 35mph or more. Passenger was forced over to driver's side because seat belt did not lock properly, and both air bags failed to deploy. Vehicle at dealer at this tim.; seeking help from NHTSA in this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #848453, filed 1999-09
Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to ask whether the airbag service bulletins were applied and whether the fuel pressure damper or regulator has been replaced. A test drive can include checking for gasoline odor, seat belt retraction and brake response at low speed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 35 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 52 consumer complaints for the 1998 Lexus ES300. 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 5% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,564 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 31 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Air bags9 17%
- Seat belts6 12%
- Engine cooling5 9.6%
- Fuel system5 9.6%
- Vehicle speed control5 9.6%
- Brakes4 7.7%
- Electrical system4 7.7%
- Seats4 7.7%
- Other or unknown3 5.8%
- Tires3 5.8%
Also reported: Wheels (3), Equipment (2), Suspension (2), Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Steering (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “The srs (safety restraint system) flashing light on the dashboard continues to come on. We do not know if our airbags or seltbelts would work in an actual collision. The automobile has been in for repair of this problem 5 times. They have replaced all kinds of things, but nothing has fixed the problem. Are we safe?”
NHTSA complaint #754941, filed 2001-11Seat belts: “No deployment of airbag during vehicle collision causing injuries to passengers elbow, chest, neck and back, passenger in the rear also sustain injury to the chest, neck and back from the seatbelt. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #548346, filed 1999-09Engine cooling: “I have a 1998 Lexus ES300 with approximately 115,000 on the car. The check engine light recently came on stating that it was emissions code p0466, which is a common charcoal cannister problem for Lexus ES300 1996 and up. There was an extended warranty issued for 1996-1998 Lexus ES300 for the emission problem which includes the p0466 problem. I went to the Lexus dealer to get that emissions problem fix, but they said that not all of the 1998 Lexus ES300 was included in this warranty and my car was one of the cars that was in that category. …”
NHTSA complaint #10230081, filed 2008-06, 115,254 milesFuel system: “The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH the accelerator pedal was depressed to pass another vehicle and the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact managed to pull the vehicle off the road. Upon inspection gasoline was pouring out onto the engine. The vehicle was towed to a dealership, and the fuel pressure damper was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. Updated 03/17/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10147632, filed 2006-01, 87,129 milesMileage when problems were reported
5% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 115,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Lexus ES300. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES300 · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
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 1998 Lexus ES300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP02004Engine seizureClosed · Apr 30, 2002
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. 31 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Wheels, Tires, 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.
- 10132726Jul 7, 2015Equipment. TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
- 10111398Apr 10, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. 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…
- 10109384Nov 14, 2014Equipment. TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
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
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Lexus ES300?
Owners of this model year most often describe airbags that did not deploy in collisions. The issues reported most often: Airbags did not deploy in some crashes; Fuel pressure damper leaks and gasoline odor in cabin; Car accelerates or fails to stop when braking.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA recorded 52 consumer complaints for the 1998 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (17% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1998 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 1998 Lexus ES300 get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Lexus ES300 (ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Lexus ES300 reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,564 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 115,000 miles; 5% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.