MYRModel Year Report

Lexus ES300 — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

2 model years to avoid and 1 to watch. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid2 years

Caution1 year

Complaint history

1992: 37 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 43 complaints, Recommended 1994: 39 complaints, Recommended 1995: 38 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 37 complaints, Recommended 1997: 45 complaints, Recommended 1998: 52 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 27 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 56 complaints, Caution 2001: 29 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 153 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 116 complaints, Avoid 2005: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2006: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2007 2010 2013: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2013 2002 · 153
1992: 37 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 43 complaints, Recommended 1994: 39 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 38 complaints, Recommended 1996: 37 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 45 complaints, Recommended 1998: 52 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 27 complaints, Not enough data 2000: 56 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 29 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 153 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 116 complaints, Avoid 2004 2005: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2006: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2006 2008 2010 2012 2013: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2002 · 153
1992: 37 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 43 complaints, Recommended 1993 1994: 39 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 38 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 37 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 45 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 52 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 27 complaints, Not enough data 1999 2000: 56 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 29 complaints, Not enough data 2001 2002: 153 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 116 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004 2005: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2005 2006: 3 complaints, Not enough data 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2013 2002 · 153
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2013 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2007–2012 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2006 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2005 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2003 ■ Avoid 116 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ■ Avoid 153 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2001 ○ Not enough data 29 Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2000 ◆ Caution 56 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ○ Not enough data 27 Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1998 ● Recommended 52 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1997 ● Recommended 45 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1996 ● Recommended 37 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ● Recommended 38 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1994 ● Recommended 39 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1993 ● Recommended 43 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1992 ● Recommended 37 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

5

recalls on file across every Lexus ES300 model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Lexus models