2003 Lexus ES300 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Lexus ES300, 4% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 3 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.
“After the vehicle has been running from a light or stop there is hesitation when trying to accelerate. I have taken the vehicle to the Lexus dealer in owings mills,md.several times.the first instance they said could not get the vehicle to repeat it. I went back complaining for the second time a was told that it could be fuel injectors clogged followed by another list of potential service items for about $1000+ expense which we deniedit since we have always maintained our car good & alwaysuse 93or 89 octane gas with maintenance service as recommended. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550509, filed 2013-11, 134,000 miles“We have experienced on several occassions that vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate at stop sign or when initialy in start to drive at about 20-30 miles per hour at times for few seconds & at times it rattles 3-4 times. This car was purchased as certified pre-owned from Lexus dealer in excellent condition in 2006 that came with extended warranty upto 75000 miles but this problem started with slight & smooth jerk about 3 years back, took it to dealer after noticed for few times to diagnosis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462547, filed 2012-06, 57,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus ES300
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 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 27, 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