The 1992 Lexus Es300 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 16,036 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
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.
LEXUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 lexus es300. While driving at 35 mph, the driver swerved and the air bags deployed and exploded, emitting a smokey substance. As a result, the driver sustained face and ear injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not…”
“Airbag deployed without cause while going approx 30 mph on a flat dry paved road. *tr”
“Car was going 35 mph on a straight, dry, paved, flat street when the airbag spontaneously deployed without warning resulting in facial abrasions and sudden hearing loss in both ears which continues to this day. Toyota maintains car was old and out of warranty. Car was initially taken to a lexus…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lexus es 300. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the front hood released in an open position without warning. Immediately, the sun roof glass shattered. There was no personal injury. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the malfunction at this time. The…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lexus es 300. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the front hood released in an open position without warning. Immediately, the sun roof glass shattered. There was no personal injury. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the malfunction at this time. The…”
“Driving northbound from gilroy on the 101 freeway, I was in the second lane from the right shoulder when the hood sprung open blinding my view and scaring the crap out of passengers and I. I started to immediately pull to the left shoulder of the freeway even though I had no visual of what was in…”
“Driving down the road at about 55-60 mph when the hood suddenly popped open damaging the hood and windshield. *tr”
“Driving down the road at about 55-60 mph when the hood suddenly popped open damaging the hood and windshield. *tr”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Lexus Es300 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.