2003 Lexus ES300

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2003 Lexus ES300
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:40:58.829Z

This year had more than double the complaints 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 PER YEAR

2003: 116 complaints

View as data table

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

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 42%

42% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150430

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140612

ON 9/4/2011 AT APPROX. 1: 41 PM, I WAS PULLING MY 2003 LEXUS ES300 (WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE) INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING SPACE WHEN IT SUDDENLY SURGED, THEN ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB AND ONTO A SIDEWALK WHERE PEOPLE WERE DINING AT TABLES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120313

POWER TRAIN 23%

23% of complaints: power train — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and switch.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AS IT WAS STALLING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180416

Also filed under ENGINE

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 116

I 20040217 — DP (closed 20040305)

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

I 20040303 — PE (closed 20040722)

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

I 20050805 — DP (closed 20060105)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I 20090408 — DP (closed 20091029)

UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Lexus ES300 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (49 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (27 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

● 1992 ● 1996 ● 1995

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ◆ 2000 ● 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Lexus ES300 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Lexus ES300 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lexus ES300?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Lexus ES300 have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.