MYRModel Year Report

1992 Lexus ES300

● Typical for this model
1992 Lexus ES300
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:49.865Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
37
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 37 complaints 1992 37 1993: 43 complaints 1994: 39 complaints 1994 1995: 38 complaints 1996: 37 complaints 1996 1997: 45 complaints 1998: 52 complaints 1998 1999: 27 complaints 2000: 56 complaints 2000 2001: 29 complaints 2002: 153 complaints 2002 2003: 116 complaints 2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2013: 5 complaints 2013
1992: 37 complaints 1992 37 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 39 complaints 1994 1995: 38 complaints 1995 1996: 37 complaints 1996 1997: 45 complaints 1997 1998: 52 complaints 1998 1999: 27 complaints 1999 2000: 56 complaints 2000 2001: 29 complaints 2001 2002: 153 complaints 2002 2003: 116 complaints 2003 2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2006 2013: 5 complaints 2013
1992: 37 complaints 1992 37 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 39 complaints 1994 1995: 38 complaints 1995 1996: 37 complaints 1996 1997: 45 complaints 1997 1998: 52 complaints 1998 1999: 27 complaints 1999 2000: 56 complaints 2000 2001: 29 complaints 2001 2002: 153 complaints 2002 2003: 116 complaints 2003 2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2006 2013: 5 complaints 2013

1992: 37 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199237
199343
199439
199538
199637
199745
199852
199927
200056
200129
2002153
2003116
20051
20063
20135

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

24% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Gear shift locked, vehicle lunged forward, resulting in an accident. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-05

The lights , check engine and the temperature gauges I felt do not work properly. The engine was getting hot and overheating, cutting out dying and the check engine light never came on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-01

Air bags

16% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car was going 35 MPH on a straight, dry, paved, flat street when the airbag spontaneously deployed without warning resulting in facial abrasions and sudden hearing loss in both ears which continues to this day.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-12-27

Airbag deployed without cause while going approx 30 MPH on a flat dry paved road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-03

Tl* the contact owns a 1992 Lexus ES300. While driving at 35 MPH, the driver swerved and the air bags deployed and exploded, emitting a smokey substance. As a result, the driver sustained face and ear injuries that required medical attention.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-10

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing exhaust system and engine.

Latches/locks/linkages

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Electrical system

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and front underhood.

FIRE

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1994-03-11Latches/locks/linkages94V039000 The secondary hood latch mechanism has a narrow clearance between internal parts which, over time, accumulate dust or other foreign matter and cause the latch to not engage properly.

    Remedy: Lexus dealers will replace the secondary hood latch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Lexus ES300 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V039000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Lexus ES300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Lexus ES300 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Lexus ES300?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Lexus ES300 have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.