1997 Lexus ES300: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 45 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (14% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The steering wheel comes completely off the column while driving on the freeway. Then again when turning. The car could not be steered at all. The horn and power steering no longer work.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 216,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. The contact stated that while shifting into drive, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. The driver received bruises from the air bag deployemnt and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the accelerator pedal had become jammed and could not be released. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 96,500. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Firestone fr380 bl p205/65r15 92s tread seperated at highway speed. Single tire replaced with primewell ps830/850 bl 205/65r15 94h. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. While driving 30 mph up hill, he noticed that the vehicle would not stop accelerating even when the brakes were applied. The failure caused the contact to crash into a building. The contact sustained injuries to his neck and ribs during the crash. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 210,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. The contact stated that the seat belt has been unable to retract ever since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle has not been diagnosed due to the warranty. The failure mileage was 17,708 and current mileage was 73,000. Updated 03-09-09 *bf the seat belt did not retract when it was unlocked. The consumer stated he has difficulties fastening the seatbelt at times. Updated 03/10/09.*jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2007
“Dt*: the consumer stated the driver seat heater became uncomfortably hot. When the problem occurred in 2002 the consumer shut off the seat heater. The dealership replaced the heating unit because of a short in the heater wiring. In 2005 the passenger side seat heater overheated and burned through the seating material. The dealership found a short in the heater wiring. The heater was disconnected at the consumers request. *jb updated 02/28/06”Owner report · Seats · May 2005
“The transmission on the lexus es300 which I drove failed suddenly and unexpectedly. Had it happened a twenty minutes earlier while I was on the baltimore beltway (I-695) I would probably have been killed . In the spirit of full disclosure, the car is eight years old, is well maintained and has been driven 113,000 miles. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2005
“While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over and noticed that fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the battery needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“While driving 65 mph engine check light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer noticed blue smoke coming from the tail pipe. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to sludge inside of the engine. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN,MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NOTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. A CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHERE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAN TEMPORARILY FREEZE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED IN EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
How other years compare
Check your exact ES300 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Lexus ES300 reliable?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Lexus ES300. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Lexus ES300 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Lexus ES300 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.