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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Lexus ES300 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
9%of 116 total for the year
Median mileage
19,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Lexus ES300, 9% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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.

“Re: 2003 Lexus ES300. The car began to stall when I stopped the vehicle. My mechanic conducted computer tests. No errors registered. Mechanic stated he thought problem was with the electronic control system. This occurred before the media blitz of toyota's electronics. Mechanic took some of the electronic control system apart cleaning the parts with an airhose. Consequently the stalling stopped. I have had no problems since this occurrence and repair.”

NHTSA complaint #10312992, filed 2010-02, 105,110 miles

“Our 2003 Lexus es 300 engine area caught in fire when my wife parked in the parking lot. According to the witness, parking lot security, he saw the smoke came out from the engine area for about a minute and then fire. He said it looks like something is short in the electrical/engine and caught the fire. When the fire department arrived to put out the fire which damaged and burned half of the car, a lead fire man commented that he has seen several incidents that the Lexus sedans were suddenly caught in fire while parking. …”

NHTSA complaint #10308741, filed 2010-02, 19,000 miles

“Upon stopping, and when consumer removed foot from the gas pedal vehicle surged forward before the brake pedal was depressed. This occurred numerous times. Once, resulting in consumer's vehicle crashing into a concrete pole while pulling into a parking lot. Also, starting at 5000 miles battery had to be replaced 3 times because it died. This was due to an electrical short.”

NHTSA complaint #10067151, filed 2004-05, 2,000 miles

“Dt: consumer states that at night there was a time delay in the headlights when being shut off. If the trunk was propped open only 1/8 of an inch the lights stayed on until the battery iwasdead. Took vehicle to the dealership and they unhooked the time delay. The battery died twice because of this only in the nighttime.”

NHTSA complaint #10127072, filed 2005-06

“While sitting at an intersection vehicle jerked uncontrollably. Consumer was able to control the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that computer recalibrated (emc) engine and transmission to the computer. Consumer informed the mechanic that the problem still occurred and had not been resolved.”

NHTSA complaint #10090157, filed 2004-08

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003109%
2002117%
200127%
2000611%
199927%
199848%
1997511%
1996514%
1995924%
1994410%
1993921%
1992411%

Other parts of the 2003 Lexus ES300

Vehicle speed control
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsBrakes
7 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 28, 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