1998 Lexus ES300 Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 12%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Lexus ES300, 12% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 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.
“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“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 1999-09“After unbuckling belt, seatbelt retractor fails to operate or operates so slowly that belt latch interferes with closing of door. Door closes on unretracted chrome latch device of belt, damaging seatbelt, latch, and plastic button embedded in belt. Dealer refuses to replace belt/retractor. Every ES300 I have seen has this problem, and evidence of collateral damage to inner padded door panel and steel door frame. (even dealer's loaner vehicle, with only 11k miles, had the damage and belt's plastic button completely broken off. All 1997 and 1998 Lexus ES300 models have the problem retractors. …”
NHTSA complaint #706489, filed 1999-05Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 3% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 7% |
| 1998 | 6 | 12% |
| 1997 | 5 | 11% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 3 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 23% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Lexus ES300
9 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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