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1997 Lexus ES300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 1997 Lexus ES300, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the ES300 median · #5 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints4515 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 2, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Lexus ES300 has problems

45 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control83
Seat belts52
Engine and engine cooling50
Electrical system51
Visibility30
Equipment30
Seats32
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Air bags31
8 other systems111

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 Lexus ES300 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Recall 97V-156 · Sep 17, 1997 · 18,746 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other ES300 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES300 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Lexus ES300, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE SEIZUREDP02004 · closed Jun 20, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What ES300 owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10723287 · Jun 3, 2015 · 216,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10420012 · Aug 18, 2011 · 96,500 miles
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…
Complaint 10298029 · Jan 4, 2010 · 210,000 miles

Own a 1997 ES300?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.