Most common 1996 Lexus ES300 problems
Share of the 37 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus ES300 complaints by model year
Best ES300 years: 2013, 1999, 2001. Years to avoid: 2002, 2003. Compare all years →
1996 Lexus ES300 recalls (1)
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut May not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the steering wheel set nut.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1996 Lexus ES300:
Engine seizure
What 1996 Lexus ES300 owners say
Engine & cooling
Car exploded and started fire in the garage after the car had been parked for approximately 20 minutes. Got home from work and stop at grocery store. Parked car in garage and brought in some groceries. About 10 - 15 minutes later went out to get paper products (tp and paper towels) out of trunk. There was nothing out of the ordinary, no smoke, no fire, no noise. Went in side put away everything and started to cook. Heard loud explosion noise. Went to the garage and opened the door. Hot, heavy black smoke and chemical odor came pouring into the house. I could see flames to the left. It was very hot and there was some liquid mixed in, and the garage was pitch black yet it was a very sunny day with the sun pointing at the garage. Because it was so dark, it looked like the garage doors were closed, but actually, one side was open, but I didn't know because it was so black. …
My oil light came on in March. I took the car to the Lexus dealer on 141 in norcross because I knew my 3 year warrenty ran out in May. The Lexus dealer told me that the oil was not flowing properly. He suggested the previous owner did not change the oil and the oil became caked to the engine. The oil was then braking up in pieces and clogging the engine. He said I needed to get another car. I still had payments left (around 6K) and could not afford it. In October, the engine broke. I called Lexus and they told me they can't to anything for me. They wanted 11.5K for a new engine. I had to pay $5,037.49 for a new engine to baron's garage. I changed my oil religiously every 3,000 miles. Please call me at [phone], I want my money refunded
Air bags
Airbag over-sensitivity defect. The consumer feels that the air bag was too sensitive. The vehicle was involved in an accident in which the drivers side bumper and quarter panel was damaged. Both front air bags deployed. An infant car seat , with the consumer child fastened inside, was in the front passenger's seat facing rearward. The impact of the air bag caused fatal injuries to the child.
While driving down the road another vehicle crossed over double lines and spun around and hit consumer's vehicle and went into trees and the hit consumer's vehicle a third time. As a result, driver's head hit windshield. Airbags did not deploy. Consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer.
Steering
Was driving home from shopping and went to turn left and all of a sudden the car did not respond smoothly and I almost lost control. Took it to the mechanic and had a lower control arm put in because of a bad bushing but was told the rack and pinion is also bad. There is a lot of play in the steering now.
Steering failure, while driving at speed of 40mph, slightly turning the wheel to change lanes, vehicle went out of control, impact 12:00 position. Consumer was braking moderately while turning steering wheel.
1996 Lexus ES300 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Lexus ES300 a good car?
Based on 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 ES300 rates average: 13% fewer complaints than a typical year of the ES300 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Lexus ES300?
The engine & cooling — 12 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the air bags (6) and steering (5).
How many recalls does the 1996 Lexus ES300 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1996 Lexus ES300, the most recent from November 1, 1999 (steering wheel/handle bar). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus ES300?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 1999 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002 and 2003. See the full Lexus ES300 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Lexus ES300 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 109,000 miles; 9% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.