2003 Lexus ES300 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Lexus ES300, 6% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 4 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 noticed when I would pull out of my driveway I would hear a knock when I put the car in reverse also; I was driving home from work one evening and it was raining I was on a busy freeway, I was beginning to slow down and the brakes went all the way to the floor and a loud rubbing noise occurred I slid for about a min. Thank god I was able to pull off the freeway ,this has occurred several times, I prepare for it now by being very careful. This is my only means of transportation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10361473, filed 2010-10, 73,000 miles“My 17 year old daughter was driving my 2003 Lexus in town. We have never had any previous similar incidents, and have not experienced the same thing since. She had stopped at a stop light, but was too far back, so she wanted to pull up a little. She took her foot off the brake, and the car moved forward. She repeatedly pushed the brake, but they did not work. The car stopped when she hit the car in front of her. I had the car checked after the accident, but they couldn't find anything obvious. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291080, filed 2009-11, 105,000 miles“While parking consumer depressed the brake pedal and vehicle lurched forward, hitting a building. The front of the vehicle was damaged. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not determine the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10061725, filed 2004-03, 20 miles“While driving 4 MPH and depressing the brakes brake pedal pulsated, causing extended stopping distance, which resulted in vehicle hitting an embankment head on. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10063075, filed 2004-03“While driving 65 MPH driver applied the brakes and front end shook and pulled to the left.consumer, was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it home. Consumer contacted the dealer, and will have the vehicle towed to the dealer for repair the next day.”
NHTSA complaint #10067533, filed 2004-04Related service bulletins
- 10205319Feb 21, 2013Brake Pedal Force Gauge SST for Parking Brake Inspection.
- 10133849Feb 21, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 | 40% |
| 2003 | 7 | 6% |
| 2002 | 14 | 9% |
| 2001 | 6 | 21% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 1 | 4% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 3 | 7% |
| 1995 | 7 | 18% |
| 1994 | 4 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus ES300
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lexus ES300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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