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Lexus ES300Model year report

1997 Lexus ES300 Problems

Complaints
45filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
100,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1997 Lexus ES300. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 8 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and engine cooling (5). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 9 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “Lexus ES300 when I was stopped in front of my house my car accelerated forward without any gas pressed down, the car proceeded forward knocking into my side of my house causing some damage to my house. Luckily, no one was injured, but there very well could have been.”

NHTSA complaint #10032534, filed 2003-08, 59,000 miles

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10091510, filed 2004-09

Engine cooling: “Problem hsa not been fixed yet. Dealer is offering 50% of the total costs which probably includeds their profit. Oil gelling is the problem. I have 4 receipts for five years worth of service. The balance were done at an stablishment that purged its older records and are no longer available. I also changed the oil numerous times myself but did not keep receipts for the oil and filter. They say I can not prove that I properly maintained the car. Too many instances of people on the internet who could provide the proof but still had gelled oil for me to think that the engine is not to blame. …”

NHTSA complaint #10069435, filed 2004-01, 42,000 miles

Seat belts: “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 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.”

NHTSA complaint #10258505, filed 2009-02, 17,708 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 59,000 and 180,000 miles.

0%0–109%10–259%25–509%50–7518%75–10027%100–15027%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 100,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’989’00’03’05’08’10’12’17
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Lexus ES300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ES 300 FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Lexus ES300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201353,50005——Not enough data
200311634,9500—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200215330,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012960,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20005677,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19992788,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19985278,5641—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199745100,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199637109,0001—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199538103,2831—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199439110,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19934396,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199237141,8181—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus ES300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Lexus ES300 have?

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1997 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 8 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 1997 Lexus ES300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Lexus ES300 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Lexus ES300 (ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Lexus ES300 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 59,000 and 180,000 miles; 18% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.