1996 Lexus ES300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Lexus ES300: 1 recall, 37 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #99V307000 · 1999 · 540,037 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering wheel set nut May not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Why it matters: This can result in a loss of vehicle control.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the steering wheel set nut.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (11): the most common themes are fire / smoke (5), excess oil use (4), warning light on (2).
- Airbags (6): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
- Steering (5): the most common themes are steering problems (5), noise or vibration (2).
- Electrical (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
The 1996 Lexus ES300 has 37 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 15 ES300 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 45). Complaints peaked in 2004 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 109,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (38 complaints, 1 recalls), 1997 (45 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
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 1996 Lexus ES300.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Lexus ES300 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1996 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 1996 Lexus ES300 problems?
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (11), airbags (6), steering (5).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Lexus ES300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 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.