MotorDeets

1992 Lexus ES300: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 1992 Lexus ES300: 1 recall, 37 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.

1vehicle recalls
37owner complaints
4mention a crash
19best combined mpg
1992 Lexus ES300
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Latches & locks Vehicle recall #94V039000 · 1994 · 16,036 vehicles

What's wrong: The secondary hood latch mechanism has a narrow clearance between internal parts which, over time, accumulate dust or other foreign matter and cause the latch to not engage properly.

Why it matters: If this occurs and the primary latch is not properly engaged, the hood could open suddenly without warning, blocking the vision of the driver, which could cause an accident.

The fix: Lexus dealers will replace the secondary hood latch.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Transmission & drivetrain9
Airbags6
Engine & cooling4
Electrical4
Latches & locks4
Body & structure4
Other / unknown3
Visibility (wipers, glass)2

What owners describe

The 1992 Lexus ES300 has 37 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 15 ES300 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 45). Complaints peaked in 2000 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 141,817 miles. Neighboring years: 1993 (43 complaints, 0 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
3.0 L 6-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive172419Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive152218Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Lexus ES300.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 1992 Lexus ES300 manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 1992 Lexus ES300 manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 1992 Lexus ES300 manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 1992 Lexus ES300 manual

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FAQ

Does the 1992 Lexus ES300 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1992 Lexus ES300. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 1992 Lexus ES300 problems?

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (9), airbags (6), engine & cooling (4).

What gas mileage does the 1992 Lexus ES300 get?

EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 1992 Lexus ES300 repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other ES300 years

199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200520062013