AI Damage1993 Lexus ES300: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Lexus ES300 filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 43
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 16% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 9% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (21% of all).
- Air bags: 8 complaints (19% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (16% of all).
- Equipment: 4 complaints (9% of all).
- Tires: 3 complaints (7% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 43 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Was rear-ended, power seat skipped track and reclined on impact, engine would not shut off even with the key removed from the ignition--lexus dealer was contacted--mcgrath lexus in westmont,il they looked at the car but did not really examine anything, ie; they did not take anything apart--car was totalled by state…
Consumer was involved in an head-on collision, speed undetermined. The driver's side air bag did not deploy, impact 11:oo.
During frontal impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy.
The contact stated the vehicle did not start. The contact replaced the battery twice, stated that the vehicle started for a while, and then failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 293,095. The vin was not available.
The contact was driving 45mph and the vehicle began to shake. Shortly after the vehicle begin to smoke. Upon pulling over the contact noticed fire coming from under the hood. The local mechanic inspected the vehicle and he stated that the steering fluid caught on fire and the fire started in the steering column.
Malfunction in design of dashboard instruments. The consumer stated when the vehicle is low on gas, the needles cease to light and it is almost impossible to see how just how much gas is left.
After driving home from getting an oil leak repaired by the dealership vehicle caught on fire under the hood.dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I have experienced the "surging" that was discussed in the media on my 1993 lexus es300 many times. I have owned the car since 1995. This happens when the vehicle is stopped (at idle). I have the brake depressed and the car engine increases in rpm's.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,758 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ES300 has 43 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 43, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Lexus ES300?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 43. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), airbags did not deploy (9%), A/C or heater (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Lexus ES300?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1993 Lexus ES300 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1993 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.