Lexus ES300 Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  28
• Side/window
  4

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  517%
• 25k–50k
  517%
• 50k–75k
  517%
• 75k–100k
  724%
• 100k–150k
  414%
• 150k+
  310%

What owners report

Owner of the car was traveling approximately 50 MPH on interstate, crossing a bridge, tapped brakes when approaching slush and snow, Lexus ES300 went into a spin, spun around once, spun onto the shoulder and rolling down an embankment, rolling over twice and landing upside down in drainage ditch. Driver was suspended upside down, hanging in seat belt that had deployed the full length of the belt. Seat belt did not hold driver in the seat, windshield, back glass and passenger side window shattered. No front or side air bags deployed during crash or roll over. Driver sustained concussion, neck and shoulder injuries. Car was deemed totaled by insurance carrier.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lexus ES300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH merging into traffic, another vehicle crashed into the drivers side of her vehicle. Upon impact none of the air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to her arms, legs and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they investigating the failure. The failure and current mileage was approximately 139,000.

Lexus es 300 year 2002, I was pulling into a parking space, traveling at slow speed, 5-8 miles an hour, when the car would not stop, despite applying the brake. The car engine appeared to have a low hum and appeared to be in overdrive. The car jumped over a concrete divider, over a sidewalk, through a brick wall and plate glass window. The car was in a furniture store. The front of the car was extensively damaged. I ( the driver) hit my head ( left side) and the left side of my body hit the side of the car. The accident was reported to Lexus. They had access to evaluate the car and said that the brakes were fine. This type of accident has happened to other drivers of this make and year of car. I hope it will be evaluated carefully. I have suffered as a result of this accident. Just because Lexus could not find a problem , does not mean that it does not exist. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES300. The contact stated that while at a stand still and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle continued to accelerate until crashing into the vehicle in front of the contact. As a result, the contact experienced pain on the right shoulder, chest and upper arm. The driver of the vehicle that was crashed into was transported by ambulance to the hospital because she experienced back pain. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle sustained damage to the front end and was towed to an auto body shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 08/30/11 the consumer also stated the air bags failed to deploy. Updated 11/30/11

Tl contact owns a 2001 Lexus ES300. While driving 55 MPH, the contact's daughter was involved in a three vehicle crash. The first vehicle slammed on its brakes and caused the second vehicle to strike the bumper of the first vehicle. The contact's daughter then crashed into the rear of the second vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy in the third vehicle and no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company's service center for repair. The manufacturer was notified after the repair was made and they stated that nothing could be done because the vehicle had been repaired. A police report was filed. The contact's daughter was injured. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was unavailable.

My father was disoriented and didn't know where he was. He just kept driving, hoping to figure it out. His car went off the road down into a very deep ravine. The car sustained over $17000 in damage. The insurance company totaled the car. He has 9 broken ribs, and has been in the icu for 6 days now. The airbags did not deploy. Something is not right here. He bought the car at a Lexus dealership, performance Lexus of Lincoln. They worked on his car in May...total was over $2000.00.

Car surged out of control-stopped by a fire hydrant and lawn bushes =car was totaled- bags did not open-problem with sensors replaced 2 and the\immediately before crash- run away check engine light plus another light came on.

Air bag, driver's and passenger's, failed to deploy in a frontal collision that destroyed vehicle. Driver was only person in car and from the seat/lap belt suffered sever bruising on torso, abdomen and thighs. Left knee badly bruised from contact with steering column. The seat/lap belt did not fail. The car was a 1998 Lexus ES300 with approximately 157,000 miles and in excellent condition. Had the air bags deployed, I believe I would have still had some bruising but the bruising would have been less severe and less painful and had shorter recovery time. 30 days after the accident, I still have bruises showing and have sever large lumps under the skin where the bruises existed. I still have many tender and sore areas from the bruises.

Related recalls (1)