2001 Lexus ES300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 29 complaints (13.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 34.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 2; Electrical System: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2001: 7; 2002: 7; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10016136 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
ON JANUARY , MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR TWO CHILDREN TO AN APPOINTMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 0845 HRS. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS ON A TWO LANE ROAD, SHE STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THEN, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND STEERING CONTROL WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE CAR DID A 540 (A COMPLETE 360 AND A 180) AND ENDED UP OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0 F. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FRAME. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS. THE CAR WAS SERVICED IN 2002 DUE TO COMP…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041687 · 2003-10-13 (October 13, 2003)
2001 LEXUS ES 300 BRAKE PROBLEMS CAUSING SO FAR 4 ACCIDENTS- FAILURE TO STOP. SPONGY-LIKE BRAKES. DEALER SERVICED AND MADE AWARE. THESE HAVE BEEN COLLISIONS WHILE TRYING TO STOP AND OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. THE LATEST ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 1O, 2003 HIT A GROUP OF PUBLIC SUPERMARKET SHOPPING CARTS DAMAGING THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND EMBLEM FRONT PLASTIC COVER. THE CAR JUST DOES NOT STOP WELL WHEN ASKED TO. THE SERVICE DEALERSHIP JUST COMPLETED THE 30000 MILE CHECK UP AND SPECIFICALLY WAS TOLD ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT A F…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,298 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193988 · 2007-06-22 (June 22, 2007)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261275 · 2009-03-09 (March 9, 2009)
TRANSMISSION SKIPPING AT 92,00 MILES AND FAILED, MADE REPAIR $560. NOW AT 104,000 TRANSMISSION HAS TOTALLY FAILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10390319 · 2011-03-15 (March 15, 2011)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 195,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10390319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8016004 · 2002-08-12 (August 12, 2002)
BATTERY HAS DIED OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE APRIL OF THIS YEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO BUT KEEP REPLACING THE BATTERY.*AK *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8016004 at NHTSA ↗