The Lemon Index2003 Lexus ES.
The 2003 Lexus ES is worse than average by owner complaints: 69 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 125, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 139 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus ES year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 85K miles on the car (99 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 8K–79K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–32K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 82 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
- Engine control module (ecm) calibration - shifting enhancement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedUnwanted and unintended acceleration2009
- ClosedVehicle speed control2005–2006
- ClosedThrottle control system2004
- ClosedThrottle control system2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
There is a delay after sitting at a stop light and then at take off. The dealer could duplicate the problem and the manufacturer and dealer states that it is the new design.
2003 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10097869
More owner reports
Ongoing and worsening lack of accelleration predictability. Car will hesitate especially when power is required (such as merging traffic, left turns, etc.) automatic ransmission sounds like it delays engaging when necessary.
NHTSA complaint 10082667
While driving at 15 mph vehicle experienced unwanted sudden acceleration. When this occurred consumer immediately depressed the brake pedal, and put vehicle in neutral to stop the acceleration.
NHTSA complaint 10062975
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Lexus ES reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 125; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2003 Lexus ES problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (36%), transmission & drivetrain (33%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Lexus ES have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Lexus ES get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Lexus ES problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 85,400 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 99 complaints.
Does the 2003 Lexus ES have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Lexus ES have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus ES year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works