There are 7 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2003 Lexus ESin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
FUEL LINE RUPTURED (PART NUMBER 23801-20150 PIPE SUB ASSEMBLY). FUEL WAS SPLASHING ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FUMES WERE POURING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN CAUSING NAUSEA. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A WORK SHOP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND WE COULD SEE FUEL SPLASHING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ON. I CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER WHO DOESN'T KEEP THE PART IN STOCK AND WOULDN'T COMMENT ON THE PROBLEM NOR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO DIAGNOSE OR ADVISE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC WHEN THERE WAS A SMALL SURGE IN ENGINE RPMS, SHE LIFTED HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR RETURN TO NORMAL. *TR
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) [XXX]I OWN A 2003 LEXUS ES 300. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR BUT THE ENGINE HAS INTERMITTENTLY SURGED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20-30 TIMES TO ME AND HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES TO MY GIRLFRIEND WHEN SHE HAS BORROWED MY CAR. IT'S LIKE THE ENGINE WILL REV UP FOR JUST A SECOND OR 2 AND THEN REV DOWN. THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD DURING THE REV UP. I THOUGHT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW. MY ADDRESS IS BELOW IN CASE YOU NEED TO REACH ME. [XXX] *TR
RE: 2003 LEXUS ES300. THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CONDUCTED COMPUTER TESTS. NO ERRORS REGISTERED. MECHANIC STATED HE THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE MEDIA BLITZ OF TOYOTA'S ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC TOOK SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM APART CLEANING THE PARTS WITH AN AIRHOSE. CONSEQUENTLY THE STALLING STOPPED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE AND "REPAIR." *TR
ON JUNE 12 MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE 2003 LEXUS ES 300 SUDDENLY WITH A ROAR SURGED FORWARD JUMPED A PARKING BUMPER AND A HIGH SIDEWALK CURB WENT FORWARD ABOUT 6 FEET AND HIT A CONCRETE AND STEEL GIRDER STAIR CASE. THE CRASH DID OVER 5000.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND OVER 5000.00 DOLLARS TOTHE STAIRS.MY WIFE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND HAD A SORE COLLAR BONE. *TR
SUDDEN ACCELERATION- DELIVERING FOOD FOR SOMEONES FUNERAL.
THERE IS A PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FLOORED. THIS HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I LEASED THE CAR AND I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION LAPSE OR THROTTLE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I PULLED OUT TO PASS AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. LEXUS HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND OFFERED A FIX, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW SAY THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026