1997 Lexus ES300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 2; Steering: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2002: 5; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10298029 · 2010-01-04 (January 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UP HILL, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS NECK AND RIBS DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 210,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 210,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762653 · 2002-06-04 (June 4, 2002)
CAR ACCELERATED TO MORE THAN 80 MPH DESPITE TURNING OFF CRUISE AND USING BRAKES. CORRECTED SPONTANEOUSLY. DEALER MESSED WITH ACCELEATOR CABLES BUT DID NOT COME UP WITH DEFINITIVE CAUSE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112335 · 2005-03-01 (March 1, 2005)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10420012 · 2011-08-18 (August 18, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED BRUISES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYEMNT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BECOME JAMMED AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091510 · 2004-09-07 (September 7, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091510 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148133 · 2006-01-19 (January 19, 2006)
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER BECAME UNCOMFORTABLY HOT. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2002 THE CONSUMER SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HEATING UNIT BECAUSE OF A SHORT IN THE HEATER WIRING. IN 2005 THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEATING MATERIAL. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A SHORT IN THE HEATER WIRING. THE HEATER WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE CONSUMERS REQUEST. *JB UPDATED 02/28/06
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10983192 · 2017-05-02 (May 2, 2017)
THE STEERING WHEEL COMES COMPLETELY OFF THE COLUMN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THEN AGAIN WHEN TURNING. THE CAR COULD NOT BE STEERED AT ALL. THE HORN AND POWER STEERING NO LONGER WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983192 at NHTSA ↗