2003 Lexus ES300 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 41%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,950miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Lexus ES300, 41% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,950 miles. 28 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Pulling into parking spot on left ,about stopped and the car accelerater very fast for about 30 feet. Beening the second time this has happened, I was aware of where my foot was, on the brake. Last oct. Pulling into parking spot to left the same thing happened. Just felt like a nut. This time I am sure it was the car. The contact wanted to add that the drivers floor mat was in the trunk.”
NHTSA complaint #10220108, filed 2008-03, 44,785 miles“On january 13, 2010 while my wife was driving our Lexus es 300, the car accelerated as she was entering a parking space, causing the car to collide with a pole in the parking lot. The dealer where we purchased the vehicle (Lexus of louisville) would not repair the vehicle because it claimed the car was not one of the models recalled. We repaired damage to the body at a cost of $2500, but are now concerned that the vehicle is not safe to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10310738, filed 2010-02, 77,000 miles“My car over the last couple of years started experiencing abnormal acceleration . There were times it uses to surge or sound like it was ramping up to go fast, even with my foot on the break, you could hear the acceleration trying to ramp up like if my foot wasn't on the break it would just take off. Then the opposite started to happen. My car idle would just drop and basically when I would go to take off from a stop, the car would not accelerate at all. It was inconsistent so sometimes it would over accelerate and sometimes under. …”
NHTSA complaint #10690117, filed 2015-02, 156,000 miles“I was pulling out of the garage slowly to pause on the driveway to close the garage door and when I step on the gas in reverse the car flew out of the garage and I couldn't stop it with the brakes. There was a small roofing across the street which stopped the car. No one was nearby so no one was hurt. The accelerator seemed stuck for this incident to happen. However, Lexus had an inspector check the car and didn't find anything wrong that showed on the computer so they won't take responsibility for this occurrence and they closed the case. …”
NHTSA complaint #10713854, filed 2015-04, 89,800 miles“I was in the drive through at the dunkin donuts in germantown, md giving my order in the speaker. I remember hearing a roaring sound like a train and the next thing I know all of a sudden my car shot forward and hit the back of the car at the service window. It was quite strange. I am convinced I had my foot on the brake. The ems and police said I must have hit the accelerator by mistake. I am not convinced in my own mind that this is what happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10217071, filed 2008-02, 78,800 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 2003 Lexus ES300
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 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