NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Lexus ES300 Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Lexus ES300 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 45 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lexus dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Lexus ES300. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Lexus ES300 owner complaints

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Lexus ES300, describing incidents dated March 31, 1997 to April 30, 2017.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 8 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Seat Belts 5 complaints
Equipment 3 complaints
Seats 3 complaints

Of the 45 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 45 complaints, owners report 9 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10983192 · Filed 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.
ODI #10723287 · Filed June 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…
ODI #10460999 · Filed June 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER UNKNOWINGLY FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS FULLY RECLINED ON THE TRACK FRAME WITH THE OCCUPANT BEING…

Read all 45 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Lexus ES300 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP02-004: ENGINE SEIZURE
Closed June 20, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

TOYOTA/STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA #99V307000 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported November 1, 1999 · TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Potentially affected: 540,037 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign X06/XL7 · Owners notified November 30, 1999 · Vehicles built July 29, 1993 – July 9, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NOS. X06 AND XL7.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

TOYOTA/BRAKE VACUUM HOSE

NHTSA #97V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist · NHTSA notice

Reported September 17, 1997 · TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Potentially affected: 18,746 vehicles

Owners notified October 1, 1997 · Vehicles built July 23, 1996 – February 11, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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. A CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHERE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAN TEMPORARILY FREEZE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED IN EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 1, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Lexus ES300. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

45 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Lexus ES300.

Steering

ODI #10983192

Incident: April 30, 2017 · Filed: 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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10723287

Incident: May 28, 2015 · Filed: June 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.

Seats

ODI #10460999

Crash 1 injury1 death

Incident: May 26, 2012 · Filed: June 8, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER UNKNOWINGLY FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS FULLY RECLINED ON THE TRACK FRAME WITH THE OCCUPANT BEING SECURED WITH THE SEAT BELT AS THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS KILLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FATALITY WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FEATURE, WHICH ALLOWED THE SEAT TO RECLINE SUBSTANTIALLY AS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10420012

Crash 1 injury

Incident: August 18, 2011 · Filed: 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.

Tires

ODI #10408511

Incident: June 18, 2011 · Filed: June 22, 2011

FIRESTONE FR380 BL P205/65R15 92S TREAD SEPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SINGLE TIRE REPLACED WITH PRIMEWELL PS830/850 BL 205/65R15 94H. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10298029

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 27, 2009 · Filed: 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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10291142

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 23, 2009 · Filed: November 5, 2009

TL*THE 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.

Seat Belts

ODI #10258505

Incident: August 3, 2007 · Filed: February 12, 2009

TL*THE 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 *BF 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.*JB

Seats

ODI #10217551

Fire

Incident: January 26, 2008 · Filed: February 10, 2008

FOR SOME TIME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER (LEFT SIDE OF SEAT) WOULD REACH A TEMPERATURE WHICH WAS UNCOMFORTABLE. SO, I WOULD TURN IT ON FOR A FEW MINUTES TO WARM UP, AND THEN TURN IT OFF WHEN IT BECAME HOT. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT AND ADJUSTED, IF NECESSARY. A FEW DAYS BEFORE I MY APPOINTMENT, I WAS RIDING IN THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE HEATER. WHEN IT BECAME HOT, I PLACED MY SCARF BETWEEN THE SEAT AND MY LEG. AT A CERTAIN POINT, IT SMELLED AS THOUGH SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I TURNED OFF THE HEATER. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE SEAT, THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER AS WELL AS THROUGH MY SCARF. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY DISCONNECTED THE HEATER AND DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT NEEDS A NEW HEATER PAD AND LEATHER PAD, WHICH WOULD COST ME $1,326.00. THE REPAIR HAS NOT YET BEEN MADE. *TR

Seats

ODI #10148133

Incident: May 1, 2005 · Filed: 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

Other Lexus ES300 model years

Check your 1997 Lexus ES300 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES300 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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