1998 Lexus ES300 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 8%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 1998 Lexus ES300, 8% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“I have a 1998 Lexus ES300. The driver's heated seat stopped working. Balise Lexus, of west springfield, ma, explained there was a broken wire in heating grid and wanted to charge me $500.00, for parts and labor. My mechanic disassembled the seat and found the wire had frayed and shorted out when it started on fire. It had burnt part of the heating grid, the foam it was attached to and the inside of the leather upholstery. I showed this heating grid to the Lexus dealer, who replied, the heating grids are only good for 3-5 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10074730, filed 2004-06, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10132074Nov 10, 2013Beginning in 1998, Lexus introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Lexus does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover…
- 10054797Nov 10, 2011Lexus: information regarding the seat cover replacement, equipped with side air bags, the modifications that might negatively affect side air bag performance can result in severe…
Seats: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Lexus ES300
9 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
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 29, 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