2003 Lexus ES300
No clear pattern 25.4% of complaints about the 2003 Lexus ES300 arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2003 vehicle, but with only 122 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is speed control (37 complaints), typically at 2.1 yr or about 25,658 miles.
- Complaints
- 122
- Median age at failure
- 1.9 yr
- Median mileage
- 21,698 n=89
- Crash / fire / tow
- 36.9% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 0
Power train mileage not reported 7 mo in service
WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF A SLOW TURN(USUALLY A U-TURN) THE CAR WILL DELAY APPROX 1 SECOND BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. WHEN SLOWING TO STOP BUT NOT COMPLETELY STOPPING THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB
Power train 20 mi 8 mo in service
THE NEW 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION ON MY '03 LEXUS SEEMS A LITTLE STRANGE. IF I DRIVE ABOUT 35 MPH AND THEN SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH AND THAN TRY TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A HESITATION. IT'S AS IF THE TRANSMISSION CAN NOT DECIDE ON WHAT GEAR TO GO INTO. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES THERE'S A SLIGHT LURCH FORWARD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NLM
Power train 2,449 mi 8 mo in service
HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. I NOTICE THE VEHICLE LACKS THE ABILITY TO PICK UP SPEED FROM A SLOW DOWN OR DEAD STOP. I FEEL THIS IN 1ST-3RD GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DECELERATION SPEED OR STOP. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND IS CAUSE FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH A CLICKING, WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR MAKING SLOW TURNS.
Speed control 25 mi 1 mo in service
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SPEEDOMETER CONSUMER CANNOT READ THE GAUGE DURING THE BRIGHT DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE POINTER IS BRIGHT RED, AND WITH THE BRIGHT SUN SHINING DOWN, IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WHERE THE DIAL IS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK *MR