LexusES2501991Overview/lexus/es250/1991/base/

1991 Lexus ES250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 ES250.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Lexus ES250 is equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and requires 3.9 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil. This model achieves an EPA rating of 16/23/19 mpg and occupies a notable position in the 1991-1996 model history. With one recall and 14 owner complaints—primarily regarding the structure—the 1991 year recorded the highest number of issues in the series, significantly exceeding the low of one complaint seen in 1993.

Model year2025202420232022202119911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter178017402083
Fuel filter2303079025
Spark plug909190112783
Front wiper blades8522032791 alt 852203A110
Serpentine belt993667105078 alt 993662105083
Thermostat9091603075 alt 1632562010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.1 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight3225 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, ATF in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Lexus ES250 stands out markedly in its generation, recording 14 complaints compared to just 1–4 in subsequent model years, along with the only recall (1) and investigations (2) across the data provided. Complaint volume dropped sharply from 14 in 1991 to 4 in 1992 and then to single digits thereafter, suggesting the 1991 model year experienced significant early-stage issues that were largely resolved through manufacturer action. The 1991 model also generated 21 technical service bulletins—the highest count recorded—indicating extensive dealer guidance for addressing problems. The top complaint areas were Structure and Engine & Engine Cooling (3 each), followed by Vehicle Speed Control and Visibility/Latches/Locks/Linkages (2 each), with one fire complaint and zero crash complaints on record. This trend arc positions 1991 as the troubled launch year for this generation, with subsequent years showing dramatically improved reliability. Given the elevated complaint frequency, the presence of recalls and investigations, and the concentration of technical service bulletins, the 1991 model represents the highest-risk year within this generation and would not be the recommended purchase compared to the cleaner 1992–1996 models.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
21
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure3
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Visibility,Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Suspension,Power Train1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E002000SuspensionReported 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED… Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 21 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Safety Recall 222022-04-13EquipmentLexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Lexus PRO19-02 -2022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Lexus Safety Re2020-05-01EquipmentSafety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
L-SB-0179-17 Obs2020-04-06EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
L-SB-0008-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific ES250. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 ES250 take?

3.9 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 ES250 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the ES250 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.