2001 Lexus ES300 Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Lexus ES300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2001 Lexus ES300. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 8 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and transmission and drivetrain (5). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 46% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 50 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 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.
- Brakes6 21%
- Air bags3 10%
- Electrical system2 6.9%
- Equipment2 6.9%
- Exterior lighting2 6.9%
- Fuel system1 3.5%
- Other or unknown1 3.5%
- Seat belts1 3.5%
Also reported: Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “On 2 recent occasions (nov 13, 2006 and may 5, 2007) my wife was pulling into a parking space and shifting the car into park when the car accelerated rapidly and slammed into a wall. Both incidents were almost identical. Extensive damage was done to the front sheet metal (about $9,000 on each incident). It's possible that my wife stepped on the accelerator when she thought she was stepping on the brake but she swears that this did not happen. Also, it is unlikely that this have happened twice.”
NHTSA complaint #10193988, filed 2007-06, 82,000 milesBrakes: “I have a 2001 Lexus 300. I have never ever had issues with it-except for 12-18 months ago- my mat got stuck. As I drove it keep at high speed and kept going faster- the brake pedal would not move as I pushed down. I pit my head down and pulled at the matt & unhooked the front hook under the seat . I thank god I was able to remove my mat- as of that day-I removed my mat & have ruined my carpet, but that is fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10306712, filed 2010-02, 70,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2001 Lexus ES300. While driving 8 MPH, the contact noticed a bump vibration coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact also noticed that the vehicle would unexpectedly shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that metal fillings were found inside of the transmission. The vehicle was then taken to a local mechanic, where the transmission was replaced. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10456444, filed 2012-04, 110,000 milesAir bags: “Was in an accident and the air bag did not deploy. Therefore I was thrown into the steering wheel and sustained an injury to my head and eye. I was traveling 45 MPH before breaking and contact.”
NHTSA complaint #10390319, filed 2011-03, 195,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
46% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,298 and 92,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300 FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Lexus ES300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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. 50 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11003643Apr 19, 2024Body and structure. Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle…
- 11003642Apr 19, 2024Body and structure. Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail…
- 11003641Apr 19, 2024Body and structure. Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type…
- 11003588Apr 19, 2024Body and structure. Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle…
- 11003587Apr 19, 2024Body and structure. Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail…
- 11003586Apr 19, 2024Body and structure. Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type…
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Tires, Wheels, Equipment. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases…
Other model years of the Lexus ES300
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | 3,500 | 0 | 5 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 116 | 34,950 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 153 | 30,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 29 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 56 | 77,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 27 | 88,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 52 | 78,564 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 45 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 37 | 109,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 38 | 103,283 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 39 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 43 | 96,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 37 | 141,818 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Lexus ES300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2001 Lexus ES300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Lexus ES300 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 8 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.
Has the 2001 Lexus ES300 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Lexus ES300 get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Lexus ES300 (ES 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Lexus ES300 reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 29,298 and 92,000 miles; 46% 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.