Most common 2001 Lexus ES300 problems
Share of the 29 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 →
What 2001 Lexus ES300 owners say
Speed control & acceleration
Tl* 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. Failure mileage was 41,014 updated 08/19/10 updated 08/24/10
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.
Brakes
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 full search was done and the vehicle received new front brake pads as a recommended item to improve the problem without success. I tested the vehicle upon delivery after the service and found that the car spongy feeling continued. The dealership service department stated that there is nothing they can do about it. …
Consumer complained of grinding brake noise when stopping. Dealer replaced front rotors and pads with "updated" versions and replaced brake fluid. When first driven after "update" brake peddle went to floor and car became difficult to stop. Pedal soon became less spongy, but required more pressure and more pedal travel to stop car than in the past. Dealer service writer said pedal felt normal. After two or three close calls consumer fin rear ended another stopping car, causing over $12,000 in damage to subject car and car that it hit. No injuries. After complete repairs owner traded in the car because it was still too hard to stop. Salesman noticed the same thing when he drove car to back lot after trade in.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Lexus ES300. While driving 8 MPH, the contact noticed a bump vibration coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact also noticed that the vehicle would unexpectedly shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that metal fillings were found inside of the transmission. The vehicle was then taken to a local mechanic, where the transmission was replaced. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.
Consumer stated that he used the remote starter to warm up the vehicle and the key was in the house, the daughter was in the car seat, when his wife got in the car and thought the key was in the ignition and pressed the brake pedal the vehicle shut off, as it should, wife got out of the car leaving the drivers door open to get the key the vehicle rolled out of the driveway, consumer jumped in and brought it to a stop. Dealer checked out the vehicle and stated there is nothing wrong with the vehicle.
2001 Lexus ES300 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Lexus ES300 a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 ES300 rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the ES300 at the same age. It is one of the best ES300 years by this measure. 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 2001 Lexus ES300?
The speed control & acceleration — 8 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the brakes (6) and transmission & drivetrain (5).
How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus ES300 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus ES300. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2001 Lexus ES300 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 46% 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.