1997 Lexus ES300 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Lexus ES300, 4% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10112335, filed 2005-03, 113,000 miles“On oing problem with erratic odometer not registering properly. Dealer notified ,and informed nothing could be found. Please feel free to provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #873199, filed 2000-10Related service bulletins
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10109447Oct 16, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10109445Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109444Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132108Oct 1, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 27 | 23% |
| 2002 | 52 | 34% |
| 2001 | 5 | 17% |
| 2000 | 10 | 18% |
| 1999 | 3 | 11% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 9 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1997 Lexus ES300
8 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Lexus ES300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology