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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Lexus ES300 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Lexus ES300 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 51 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lexus dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Lexus ES300, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1998 Lexus ES300 owner complaints

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Lexus ES300, describing incidents dated April 1, 1998 to May 17, 2014.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 9 complaints
  • Engine 6 complaints
  • Seat Belts 6 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
  • Electrical System 4 complaints

Of the 51 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 51 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10593889 · Filed

    MAY 17, 2014 TRAVELING ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE AFTER TWO HOURS HAD TWO TIRES SEPARATE. REPLACED TWO TIRES IN PALM BEACH GARDENS AND CONTINUED ANOTHER HOUR WHEN A THIRD TIRE SEPARATED. TIRES WERE ALL COOPER CS4 P205/65R15. IN KEY WEST REPLACED THE REMAINING FAILED TIRE AND THE SO FAR FOURTH REMAINING…

  • ODI #10536938 · Filed

    BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE FAILED. I AM UNABLE TO INSERT BELTS INTO THE BUCKLE. CLEANING AND LUBE HAD NO AFFECT. *TR

  • ODI #10516197 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ENGINE EVAP CANISTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

Read all 51 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Lexus ES300 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

TOYOTA/STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA #99V307000 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported November 1, 1999 · TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Potentially affected: 540,037 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign X06/XL7 · Owners notified November 30, 1999 · Vehicles built July 29, 1993 – July 9, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NOS. X06 AND XL7.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Lexus ES300 model years

Check your 1998 Lexus ES300 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES300 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN