2003 Lexus ES300 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,449miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Lexus ES300, 2% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,449 miles. 1 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.
“Hesitation upon acceleration. I notice the vehicle lacks the ability to pick up speed from a slow down or dead stop. I feel this in 1st-3rd gears when accelerating from a deceleration speed or stop. This is very serious and is cause for safety concerns. I just bought this vehicle and I have another problem with a clicking, whining noise when turning into a parking spot or making slow turns.”
NHTSA complaint #10020695, filed 2003-05, 2,449 miles“While driving 65 MPH driver was making a right turn lost control of the vehicle and hit a concrete barrier. Both air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10053498, filed 2004-01Related service bulletins
- 10177783Jun 23, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0023-20.
- 10015790Apr 29, 2005Clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right.
- 10017720Dec 21, 2001Repair manual supplement - vehicle pulling to one side. All lexus 2002 - 2006 models. *tt all '02 - '07 models. Lexus.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 4% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 14% |
| 1995 | 3 | 8% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
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 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
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