2001 Lexus ES300 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 28%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,014miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Lexus ES300, 28% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,014 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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 miles“While driving the car would speed up on own without pushing on the accelerator. I found my car going from 40 to 60. In park position the car will rev to high RPM but if I am in drive mode it will just accelerate. I took it to Lexus and the technician says the idle speed control valve was not working and the repair work would be $500.”
NHTSA complaint #10138278, filed 2005-09“On november 11th, 2001 I experienced a terrifying and potentially life-threatening incident with my car. On that evening, I was approaching a stop sign at a busy intersection, and when I pressed on the brake the car wouldnt stop and instead a sudden acceleration forced me into the middle of the intersection. I was able to stop the vehicle by using the emergency brake. Since this has never happened before, I thought it was an isolated incident, so I continued to drive the vehicle. It seemed to be operating properly for the next week or so, when it occurred again. …”
NHTSA complaint #755573, filed 2001-12“The contact owns a 2001 Lexus es 300. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH she applied the brakes, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact applied both feet to the brake pedal and the vehicle still would not slow down. The vehicle crashed into a jersey wall causing damage to the rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact did not suffer any injuries during the crash. The contact feels the accelerator pedal stuck and caused the vehicle to accelerate and not stop and eventually crashed. The contact has not called the manufacturer at this time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10310740, filed 2010-02, 41,014 miles“2001 Lexus es 300. Acceleration issues the consumer stated when his wife started the vehicle, it immediately went to full RPM, probably around 6,000 plus. Her feet were flat on the floor. She had not put the gear in reverse to back out of the garage, nor had she touched the brake or the accelerator, when the rpms began acting erratically. The consumer stated only a computer failure could have caused the RPM to instantly increase in that manner. The consumer stated he went to the garage to see what was going on and was able to turn the vehicle off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10327463, filed 2010-04Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 48 | 41% |
| 2002 | 50 | 33% |
| 2001 | 8 | 28% |
| 2000 | 9 | 16% |
| 1999 | 2 | 7% |
| 1998 | 5 | 10% |
| 1997 | 8 | 18% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 6 | 16% |
| 1994 | 4 | 10% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2001 Lexus ES300
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 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