atomicjade

When I first bought my car it had a leaky rear main seal, but the dealer fixed it for me free of charge.

jonrago

Compared to the LS models. Sounds like if you get around 100k I would have allot of maintainence headaches. THinking about getting one in addition to my big Ford Expedition and wife's '01 LS430, but sure after reading all these posts..........

bensonc

my 2000 Windom are very reliable to me
I bought it 2 years ago @ 55000km
Parts replaced so far:
2 set of front lower control arms
Steering universal joints
cat. converter(not to blame the car but the gas in China)
1 set of tires

My car just reach 100,000km
Replaced timing belt, acc. belt, main pully, and spark plug

After all, the windom are very reliable to me.

mooseboy84

I dont think there are that many headaches.

I guess its time for me to chime in.

I have a 96 es300 I have had for almost 2 years. I got it with 147K miles on it, and have put about 16k more on that. I really havent had any problems with mine, but wear and tear is starting to surface.

The first problem was the starter. A new starter and it was fine.

More recently I had really bad misfiring issues. Long story short, I got a basic tune up with new spark plug wires and a new fuel injector, and my car runs stronger and faster than it did before.

I list this as general matainence stuff, but up next are:

Timing Belt and water pump replacing. I dont have any overheating issues or anything, just need to get it done because I dont know when the last time it was done.

I also have a leaking PS hose, which I guess is a pretty much common problem endimic to all toyotas.

I also need to get new shocks, because they were imploded when I got them, and I havent fixed them since.

All in all, my car has been very realiable as a commuter. I dont drive a great deal, maybe 30miles a day or so, but it hasnt given me to many problems.


Lastly, on the fogged headlights heres a solution.

Hi powered buffer + rubbing compound. I know people at a body shop, and he used some stuff called "rubbing compound" with a buffer, and it TOTALLY eliminated the nasty yellow fogged look. Mine were really fogged over, but that rubbing compound and buffer took all the yellow off. Anyway, on the lamp headlight aiming machine, after the guy used the buffer+rubbing compound, I went from 7000 up to 13000K on the measure of brightness.

The sad part, is theyre starting to get fogged up again already, lol. I need to buy a buffer machine for myself so I can keep them clear! Also, you can get new headlights for cheap. I cant remember, but its like bulb # 9006 or 9005 for Hi and Lo beams. Not sure which is which, but 9005 and 9006 are the numbers if I remember correctly. Theyre very easy to install, just pull them out and put them in, lol. You can adjust them with a screw, or easier an 8 or 10mm ratchet to raise or lower them. If you do that combined with buffing the lenses, youll almost think you got HID lights, lol.

William190

Interesting that so many have had the problem of 'Transmission hesitation or lag in acceleration.' My 2002 ES300 has a definite 'lag of acceleration,' specifically when I press down on the accelerator, for a moment it does not respond, then it does. It is not always like this, and sometimes worse than other times. What is this?? Is it the transmission or engine?? What is the fix?? I have 80,000 miles, and other than that, my car looks and drives like new!! Any ides??

phil97ES3

I've got a fog light out on the driver side of my es3. I tried changing the bulb and that didn't work. I'm gonna pull out the relay and clean the connections and take a test light to the harness, but other than that, I have no clue where to go. any suggestions?

celeron5

my lexus has 225K miles. I just recently replaced the cv joints, replaced the flex pipe, changed all fluids, and know I need gauge needles because they are burnt out.

celeron5

take a multimeter and place the positive lead on the bulb connection point and the neg lead on a ground point. I recommend using alligator clips. rotate the switch to on and verify through the meter any change in voltage. If so, then you need to make sure the bulb is seated correctly. If not, check the fuse

celeron5

Have your elctronic transmission control check using a OBD for lexus.

mbonet

Can someone tell me please why my airbag light is on and off!!!! My is a 1998 !! no accidents !!! thanks !

haroldgrey

Bought my 2001 ES 300 in Feb 2007 with 46K miles on it. Was searching for this specific model for months, as I have always had Toyotas and then a neighbor was selling her '96 ES 300 with 108K miles on it. I test drove the '96 and I was sold (though her car had a few issues which is why I didn't buy it.) My 2001 was literally owned by a senior couple in northern California. Have had it almost 1.5 years and it runs perfectly. No problems though I do have the peeling on the B-pillar. Hope to keep this car for another 5-7 years. Run about 8-10K per year. Currently looking for a mechanic here is northern Cali, as I am do for the 60K service and have been quoted about $725 from the two local Lexus dealers. Does anyone know if having the car serviced at a non-Lexus service shop would impact my Hendrick extended warranty?

03 ES

hmm ill bite.

2003 ES. 74k.
transmission OCCASIONALLY lags in gear and has a harsh, jerking downshift between 20-40 when in traffic. Doesnt always happen, but its unwelcome when it occurs.

Also, my A/C is noisy, but thats a common 1mz trait.

other than that, the car is flawless. I love it!

Gerson

iTrader: (1)

Ok my turn...

92 ES300 4dr w/216K
ENGINE: 3.0L 3VZ-FE V6
TRANSAXLE: E-53 5 SPEED MANUAL

ISSUES:
-Knock sensor faulty on bank 1 (replaced both sensors and pigtail harness but one sensor fails
-Rear main seal seeping
-Pressure plate from clutch faulty (difficult to shift into gear)
-Shifter is worn (feels loose)
-Front engine mount bad
-Missing engine cover
-Leather seats on front torn
-Needles do not light up (temp gauge INOP)
-rear speakers INOP (torn)
-6-disc change very sensitive (ejects when i close the trunk)
-Bad struts and LF wheel hub
-Mismatched tires

Everything else is fine but since I work for Toyota, I'm buying as much genuine parts as possible so I can get the right items and I do my own labor. I will restore this car of what the old owners couldnt do. They neglected the services needed so i'm doing all their dirty work, lol. Hey, its good to have a 5 speed ES300 to play with.

03 ES

Gerson, did you rewire the entire knock sensor circuit or just the engine bay harness?

Gerson

iTrader: (1)

No, I bought the section of the harness (plug n play) from Toyota for $25. The knock sensors came off a clean 93 camry w/ 87k miles that was rear ended (and bank 1 fails a day after installing them). I'm gonna buy them new when I get a chance but they are $160 each. 3VZ-FE engine parts arent too easy to get.