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Lexus SC300Model year report

1997 Lexus SC300 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
27,100miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Lexus SC300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1997 Lexus SC300. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and brakes (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,100 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Consumer states that the bracket that holds exhaust to vehicle is defected, consumer states that when the bracket gets hot it expands, this causes the bracket to crack, dealer states it was poorly designed. Nlm”

NHTSA complaint #8006430, filed 2002-03

Air bags: “Contact states: driver could not place car in park as she pulled into a parking spot, instead vehicle lunged forward, striking a tree. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy, total damage to front of car. Would not go into parking mode therefore, the keys could not be removed from ignition. Repairman did not find anything wrong. The accident happened after the shift wouldn't go into parking mode.”

NHTSA complaint #10119594, filed 2005-06, 27,100 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 27,100 and 27,100 miles.

0%0–100%10–25100%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 27,100 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1999120001200112002120051
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 SC300 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
SC 300/SC 400 RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual172219$4,350
SC 300/SC 400 RWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162218$4,550
SC 300/SC 400 RWD4.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162118$4,550

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Lexus SC300 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. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus SC300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1997527,1000—18—Not enough data
1993793,6070—18—Not enough data
199210115,0000—18—Not enough data

All Lexus SC300 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Lexus SC300 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1997 Lexus SC300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Lexus SC300 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 1997 Lexus SC300 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 1997 Lexus SC300 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Lexus SC300 (SC 300/SC 400, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Lexus SC300 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,100 miles and the middle half falls between 27,100 and 27,100 miles; 100% 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.