NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Lexus ES Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Lexus ES right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 1 owner complaint is on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Lexus ES.

1996 Lexus ES owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1996 Lexus ES, describing incidents dated May 28, 2013.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10514170 · Filed May 29, 2013
I SMELLED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ANTI-FREEZE. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE SMELLED GAS AND SOME FRIENDS CALLED MY CELL TO TELL ME GAS WAS RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK UNDER THE CAR. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND FOUND GAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING…

Read the full complaint

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Lexus ES right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Lexus ES. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Lexus ES.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10514170

Incident: May 28, 2013 · Filed: May 29, 2013

I SMELLED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ANTI-FREEZE. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE SMELLED GAS AND SOME FRIENDS CALLED MY CELL TO TELL ME GAS WAS RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK UNDER THE CAR. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND FOUND GAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING THE LEXUS COVER OFF THE ENGINE, I FOUND GAS SHOOTING STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR. IT WAS COMING FROM A VACUUM LINE THAT HAD POPPED OFF. I RE-ATTACHED THE LINE AND STARTED THE ENGINE. THE LINE POPPED OFF AND GAS AGAIN SHOT STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR. I REPLACED THE VACUUM LINE. IT STAYED ON BUT THE GAS RAN THROUGH A NEARBY SWITCH AND ONTO THE ENGINE. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT THE GAS SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THE VACUUM LINE. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD MAL FUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED THE GAS TO GO THROUGH THE VACUUM SIDE OF THE REGULATOR. WHILE DRIVING THE REGULATOR HAD ALLOWED OVER 10 GALLONS OF GAS TO POUR DIRECTLY OVER MY ENGINE. IT BOTHERS ME HOW EASY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE CAR, MY WIFE AND ME TO GO UP IN FLAMES. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE SOMEONE DIE BECAUSE I FAILED TO WARN PEOPLE OF THIS DEFECT. I DO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Other Lexus ES model years

Check your 1996 Lexus ES VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN