2000 Lexus ES300 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Lexus ES300 most often describe transmissions that downshift, jerk, or fail, and many reports describe sudden surges or unintended acceleration. Stalls and engine shutdowns, check engine and traction control lights that return after repairs, and brake failures, sometimes intermittent, also appear in the complaints. Where mileage is listed, most reports fall between about 40,000 and 175,000 miles, and some exceed 250,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission jerks, downshifts, or fails

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe a transmission that drops unexpectedly from fourth to first gear in traffic and then jerks, with the car moving under computer control and little driver control over speed. Other reports describe a sudden loss of drive when accelerating, power loss at highway speed, or a stall followed by jolting. Dealers stated the transmission had failed and needed replacement or rebuilding, and in some reports the owner paid for the repair because the car was out of warranty. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from 80,000 to 278,958 miles, and several happened in heavy traffic or at highway speed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced, and whether that work followed the installation precautions in the related service bulletins. During a test drive, check for harsh shifts, unexpected downshifts, and hesitation when accelerating from a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving and the vehicle started to stall and then jolt increasing and decreasing in acceleration by itself I have already had the transmission serviced and rebuilt a couple years ago and now it seems to be doing the same thing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10689755, filed 2015-02, 278,958 miles

   “I just paid $3,600 to have the knock sensors and connecting harness replaced, and a transmission re-build, in this car because the knock sensor problem caused the traction control system to automatically stop working ( trac off light, no override) and the check engine light to stay on. It is also what caused my transmission to need re-building because when traction control is off, the transmission will not shift into overdrive, and this destroys the transmission. After replacing and repairing these, the problem recurred within 2 weeks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10836458, filed 2016-02, 175,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe the engine or car stalling or shutting off without warning, sometimes at any speed, and in some cases the car could not be restarted. Some describe losing control after a shutdown on a highway, and some stalls were linked to a transmission failure. In some reports a mechanic found the engine seized from sludge or an idle air control valve fault, and a replacement engine was quoted. Where mileage is listed, these events range from 77,000 to 278,958 miles, and some happened on a highway or in busy traffic.

   What to check: Ask for the service history, including whether an idle air control valve or engine sludge repair was done, and check the oil change records. During a test drive, watch for stalling, rough idle, or RPM swings after the engine warms up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on highway engine did shut off suddenly lost control , fortunately there was no traffic. Tried start engine again and it showed a check engine light and low oil light. Inspected engine oil with dip stick and showed good level. Towed it to mechanic and been told the sludge formation caused engine seize . Replacement of engine is the only option. Found a TSB on NHTSA technical service bulletin number: 628655 bulletin date: 20-jan-2002 about the oil sludge issue. I am requesting NHTSA to help me to fix this problem by manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10904803, filed 2016-09, 77,000 miles

   “I was driving on a busy road, and my 2000 Lexus ES300 RPM went down to 0 and shut off in the middle of busy traffic. I was almost hit from behind and could have caused a major pileup with injuries. I had to be pushed out of traffiic car wouldn't start. After, getting the car to the mechanic they determined that it was the idle air control valve, it is costly to replace and a problem with that make and model 2000 Lexus ES300. This is a serious electrical problem and I found out a faulty iac valve can cause your car to stall anywhere at anytime. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10420061, filed 2011-08, 135,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or sudden surge

   • 15 complaints (27%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners describe the car accelerating suddenly without driver input, including surges when pulling into a garage, sudden backward acceleration while backing, and increased speed when the brake was pressed. Some say the accelerator stuck when cruising at highway speed, which made the car hard to slow, and in some reports the driver had to shut off the engine to stop. Several reports describe the car striking a wall, the garage, or another vehicle after the surge. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from 38,520 to 173,000 miles, and some happened while pulling into a garage or backing up.

   What to check: On a test drive, check that the throttle responds smoothly from a stop and that the car slows normally when the brake is applied while the engine is running. Ask whether any throttle, accelerator pedal, or brake-related repair is recorded for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a Lexus ES300 and I had an accident in which I believed that the car suddenly acclerated and told others that is what I belieived happened prior to reading todays news on the internet. I had to shut off the engine to bring the car to a halt.”

   NHTSA complaint #10061808, filed 2004-03, 38,520 miles

   “My 2000 Lexus ES300 was having issues with the RPM ramping up high when the engine is warm up especially when I accelerate at a dead stop. As of today the accelerator stick when I was cruising 55 on the highway and had a hard time stopping my car. I had to pull over into a gravel road with my foot on the brake hard and putting it on park. Finally my car skidded and stop. I'm afraid it might happen again and next time I won't be so fortunate to stop my vehicle like I did today. I just need to know what I can do as for my vehicle goes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10390164, filed 2011-03, 173,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Check engine and traction control lights recur

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 9.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2016

   Owners describe check engine and traction control (TRAC) lights that come on, go off, and return after repairs or resets. Some report the lights stayed on until a shop reset them, and that codes pointed to the gas cap, the vapor canister or its vent valve, or the oxygen sensors. In another report, a knock sensor fault turned off traction control and led to transmission rebuilding. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from 37,209 to 175,000 miles, and several describe the lights returning after repairs.

   What to check: Ask whether the check engine and TRAC codes were read and recorded, and which parts were replaced, such as the gas cap, canister valve, oxygen sensors, or knock sensors. Before buying, have a scan tool check for stored and pending codes, since these reports describe lights that return after a reset.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Have a 2000 ES300. Recently, the check engine/trac light illuminated and after a quick scan code po446 was discovered. I started by tightening the gas cap and disconnecting the battery; the engine light came back on after a week. I have taken a look at the vacuum lines at the charcoal canister and up underneath the engine cover. Everything looks ok. I do all my own work, and I hate being a 'parts replacer'. I'd rather source the exact problem and fix just that particular part. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10356834, filed 2010-09, 89,000 miles

   “Engine and trac light has come on intermittently since around 40,ooo mi. Has been in dealership for repair on at least 6 occassions. Both lights will go off, but come back on and not go off until the shop resets the light. Now they tell me that the o2 sensors need replacing since the car is no longer under warranty. I want to know why they could not diagnose that the car needed expensive repairs before? It has taken two days of diagnostic work to come up with the oxygen sensor diagnosis. How can I be sure this is the real problem? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10060846, filed 2004-03, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes fail or lose effect while driving

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2010

   Owners describe brakes that stopped working or lost effect, including a pedal that dropped to the floor intermittently at any speed. Some report brakes failing when pulling out of a parking space or when braking on a wet curve, and another describes brakes locking up before the car struck a house. In some cases the dealer inspected the vehicle several times and could not duplicate the problem. The only listed mileage for these reports is 40,000 miles, and the failures were described at any speed, while pulling out of a space, or on a wet curve.

   What to check: During a test drive on a safe, open road, press the brake firmly from moderate speed to check that the pedal stays firm and the car slows evenly. Ask whether the brake system has been inspected for a pedal that drops or brakes that fail, and request the brake repair records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intermittently while driving at any speed and applying the brakes, the pedal went to the floor with no brake at all. Resulting in an extended stopping distance. Dealer has inspected the vehicle several times and could not duplicated or correct the problem. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083299, filed 2004-07

   “While driving 25-30mph, slowed down for the curve and there was a wet area across the road, vehicle went out of control, braking did not stop the vehicle, resulting in uncontrollable steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #9005719, filed 2002-01

Buying note. Used-car buyers considering this model year should ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced, and whether the traction control, check engine, and brake systems have been inspected for the problems described above. A test drive that includes firm braking, smooth acceleration from a stop, and a check for stored codes can help identify these problems.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.