Most common 1997 Lexus ES300 problems
Share of the 45 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus ES300 complaints by model year
Best ES300 years: 2013, 1999, 2001. Years to avoid: 2002, 2003. Compare all years →
1997 Lexus ES300 recalls (2)
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut May not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the steering wheel set nut.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan,minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, noth dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new design brake vacuum hose.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Lexus ES300:
Engine seizure
What 1997 Lexus ES300 owners say
Speed control & acceleration
Tl contact owns a 1997 Lexus ES300. While driving 25 MPH the vehicle suddenly accelerated. He lost vehicle control and drove into a field. The vehicle stopped after he crashed into a condominium. The vehicle was completely destroyed. He received injuries to the head, back, and spine. His dog also died due to injuries. The manufacturer took a report; however, the detailed report information was not available. The manufacturer stated that since the contact did not have full coverage insurance that they were not obligated to help him. The contact speculated that the floor-mat May have caused the failure. The police report was not available. He received a fine for reckless driving. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.
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.
Seat belts
Tl contact owns a 1997 Lexus ES300. The contact stated that the seat belt has been unable to retract ever since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle has not been diagnosed due to the warranty. The failure mileage was 17,708 and current mileage was 73,000. Updated 03-09-09 the seat belt did not retract when it was unlocked. The consumer stated he has difficulties fastening the seatbelt at times. Updated 03/10/09.
Seat belt doesn't retract when removed after crash repair. Dealer claims this is normal when car gets old! Belt must be manually pushed back into retractor after each time it's used. I'm afraid belt May not work properly in a severe crash.
Electrical system
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.
While vehicle was parked it caught on fire under the hood. Police investigator stated fire started from the engine.
1997 Lexus ES300 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Lexus ES300 a good car?
Based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 ES300 rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the ES300 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Lexus ES300?
The speed control & acceleration — 8 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the seat belts (5) and electrical system (5).
How many recalls does the 1997 Lexus ES300 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Lexus ES300, the most recent from November 1, 1999 (steering wheel/handle bar). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus ES300?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 1999 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002 and 2003. See the full Lexus ES300 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Lexus ES300 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.