2003 Lexus Es problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (6) · Steering (2) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Es model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (24)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Equipment 2022-04-13 · Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements 4.13.2022
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by lexus. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information o
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-27 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 235,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2003 lexus es 300. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the mileage was 136,406. at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 235,000.…”
2019-09-21 · Unknown Or Other · 260,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was coming up my street like i do every day and all of a sudden it started accelerating and i was stuck staring wheel locked up and i hit a tree and got severely injured the car is totaled…”
2019-09-20 · Steering · 260,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was driving in residential doing speed limit 30. the car started to exhilarate right before my turn on the my street. the brakes wouldn't work because the car just kept going faster the stearing wheel locked up. i couldn't stop and ran start into a tree and spun out, resulting in serious injuries *tt *as…”
2019-08-06 · Power Train“1) passenger driver side dash air bag looks as if it is ready to burst. 2) transmission often has slight slip while driving. i notice at certain gear change while driving automatic vehicle.…”
2015-03-20 · Vehicle Speed Control · 88,600 mi · 💥 crash“driving out of my garage usually slowly and when i put my foot on the gas while in reverse to pull out the car just flew out into the street. the immediately tried to brake and couldn't work. when i hit a truck in the street behind me the car finally stopped. i had no control. this never happened before, a first time and a very frightenin…”
2014-08-21 · Vehicle Speed Control · 135,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was reversing and trying to turn when my car lexus es 300 suddenly picked up high speed acceleration by it self and went forward and hit a fence in front. the vehicle picked up unintentional high speed (full throttle). it was beyond my control. my body went forward and backward violently. for few days i have experienced muscle stiffness, pain a…”
2014-07-06 · Seat Belts · 68,000 mi“driver's seat belt will not snap into buckle. if i depress the release and push the metal part in at the same time it will catch and hold. but it will not go in normally. *js…”
2013-02-27 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 58,000 mi“drivers door will not unlock. can't open drivers door. had to climb over to passenger side to get out. no manual over ride to open door. i'm 82 years old and could not fine a way to open my door with the door switch or the remote control. this is a real safety concern . *tr…”
2012-09-06 · Vehicle Speed Control · 126,000 mi · 💥 crash“backing up into my driveway making turn to straighten car out and all of sudden the car just speed up in reverse. causing crash into side of my house. after that i tried to back car into driveway but due to damage was unable to. i pulled car over to street parking. when i pulled car onto street there were no problems. right after incident i checke…”
2012-06-01 · Power Train · 125,000 mi“1. the vehicle hesitates with initial acceleration (slow or quick acceleration). 2. the automatic transmission also hesitates. i suspect that ounce the acceleration problem is fixed that the transmission problem would be fixed. 3. i have gone to the lexus dealer to update the computer with a new chip to help resolve the problems…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.