The Lemon Index2003 Lexus ES. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 1
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto 5-spd | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Regular | $2,950 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 85,400 miles. Median 40,000, from 99 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed control | 39,000 | 8,800–79,100 | 42 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 5,000 | 1,000–32,000 | 23 |
| Airbags | 45,000 | 20,000–97,000 | 11 |
| Electrical | 69,000 | 10,000–175,800 | 10 |
| Engine | 2,500 | 0–34,800 | 8 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Speed control | 36% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 33% |
| Engine | 12% |
| Airbags | 10% |
| Electrical | 7% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | 52 | 4 | 21 | 1 | 4 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Unwanted and unintended acceleration | 2009 | 2009 |
| Closed | Vehicle speed control | 2005 | 2006 |
| Closed | Throttle control system | 2004 | 2004 |
| Closed | Throttle control system | 2004 | 2004 |
Manufacturer communications 82
Lexus filed 82 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- 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
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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