1998 Lexus ES300 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Lexus ES300, 10% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 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.
“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“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. As I moved my foot over to the higher level brake pedal, the car lurched forward accelerating on its own--the ignition/accelerator system took over the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10296641, filed 2009-12, 236,000 miles“The contact owns 1998 Lexus ES300. While approaching an intersection with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a pole causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the passenger. The air bags deployed breaking her hand in two places. The driver and passenger were transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed from the scene and was destroyed. A police report is available if needed. The toyota manufacturer was not called. The failure mileage was 54753 updated 03/24/10 updated 05/05/10. …”
NHTSA complaint #10315080, filed 2010-03, 54,753 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 48 | 41% |
| 2002 | 50 | 33% |
| 2001 | 8 | 28% |
| 2000 | 9 | 16% |
| 1999 | 2 | 7% |
| 1998 | 5 | 10% |
| 1997 | 8 | 18% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 6 | 16% |
| 1994 | 4 | 10% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Lexus ES300
9 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
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