2001 LEXUS ES300

0 recalls — 36 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

36 total complaints 14 crashes 1 fires 6 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
POWER TRAIN1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
POWER TRAIN Apr 25, 2012
Incident date: Jan 16, 2012
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 FILL... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Mar 15, 2011
Incident date: Mar 9, 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
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 28, 2010
Incident date: Feb 15, 2010
2001 LEXUS ES 300. ACCELERATION ISSUES *GR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FULL RPM, PROBABLY AROUND 6,000 PLUS. HER FEET WERE FLAT ON THE FLOOR. SHE HAD NOT PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE, NOR HAD SHE TOUCHED THE BRAKE OR THE ACCELER... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Feb 16, 2010
Incident date: Feb 3, 2007
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 T... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Feb 5, 2010
Incident date: Jul 11, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 LEXUS 300. I HAVE NEVER EVER HAD ISSUES WITH IT-EXCEPT FOR 12-18 MONTHS AGO- MY MAT GOT STUCK. AS I DROVE IT KEEP AT HIGH SPEED AND KEPT GOING FASTER- THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AS I PUSHED DOWN. I PIT MY HEAD DOWN AND PULLED AT THE MATT & UNHOOKED THE FRONT HOOK UNDER THE SEAT . ... Read more
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY Feb 5, 2010
Incident date: Jul 11, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 LEXUS 300. I HAVE NEVER EVER HAD ISSUES WITH IT-EXCEPT FOR 12-18 MONTHS AGO- MY MAT GOT STUCK. AS I DROVE IT KEEP AT HIGH SPEED AND KEPT GOING FASTER- THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AS I PUSHED DOWN. I PIT MY HEAD DOWN AND PULLED AT THE MATT & UNHOOKED THE FRONT HOOK UNDER THE SEAT . ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Mar 9, 2009
Incident date: Mar 6, 2009
TRANSMISSION SKIPPING AT 92,00 MILES AND FAILED, MADE REPAIR $560. NOW AT 104,000 TRANSMISSION HAS TOTALLY FAILED. *TR
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 10, 2008
Incident date: Mar 13, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS ES300. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH. THE FIRST VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AND CAUSED THE SECOND VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE BUMPER OF THE FIRST VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE SEC... Read more
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 22, 2007
Incident date: May 5, 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 INCI... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Apr 13, 2006
Incident date: Mar 19, 2005
FRONT END COLLISION RESULTING IN HEAD INJURY OF RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. INJURY RESULTED FROM IMPACT WITH RADIO. SEAT BELTS WERE NOT RETRACTED AFTER ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash 3 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 30, 2005
Incident date: Sep 25, 2005
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP ON OWN WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I FOUND MY CAR GOING FROM 40 TO 60. IN PARK POSITION THE CAR WILL REV TO HIGH RPM BUT IF I AM IN DRIVE MODE IT WILL JUST ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO LEXUS AND THE TECHNICIAN SAYS THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE WAS NOT WORKING... Read more
EQUIPMENT Dec 27, 2004
Incident date: Aug 28, 2004
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 PRESSUR... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Dec 27, 2004
Incident date: Aug 28, 2004
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 PRESSUR... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS Dec 27, 2004
Incident date: Aug 28, 2004
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 PRESSUR... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Dec 27, 2004
Incident date: Aug 28, 2004
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 PRESSUR... Read more
Crash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS May 13, 2004
VEHICLE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH LIGHT DECEPTION. LIGHT VISIBILITY IS ONLY 15 TO 20 FEET AHEAD. DRIVER MUST USE HIGH BEAMS TO GET DISTANCE VISION. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Mar 15, 2004
Incident date: Dec 20, 2003
ACCERATOR STICKING
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Oct 13, 2003
Incident date: Oct 10, 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 SHOPPI... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Apr 17, 2003
Incident date: Jan 27, 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... Read more
Crash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Nov 22, 2002
WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH OUR RANGE OF FORWARD VISION WHILE USING HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS IN LOW BEAM AT NIGHT. THE FIRST 60 TO 80 FEET BEYOND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE WELL LIGHTED, BUT WE CAN NOT SEE ADEQUATELY BEYOND THE LIGHTED AREA. WE HAVE CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM BY HAVING OTHER FRIENDS MA... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 28, 2002
Incident date: Oct 22, 2001
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE DIGITAL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.*AK *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Aug 12, 2002
Incident date: Apr 17, 2001
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
WHEELS Jul 19, 2002
Incident date: Jul 5, 2002
THE WHEELS ON THIS VEHICLE BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS--IF YOU HIT THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN ROAD, THEY WILL BEND, BREAK, OR CRACK, CAUSING THE TIRE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jul 2, 2002
Incident date: Dec 26, 2000
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT OF FRONTAL DAMAGE AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY INSURANCE COMPANY AND WIFE CHEST WAS BRUISED BY STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT.*AK
Crash 1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH May 14, 2002
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 ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH May 8, 2002
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 ... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jan 9, 2002
Incident date: Jun 28, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVER VEHICLE. *AK
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 2, 2002
Incident date: Dec 31, 2001
VEHICLE STARTED UP WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION, AND WHILE IN PARK, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE IN REVERSE INTO THE STREET. DEALER IS TAKING A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.*AK. DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE REMOTE STARTER ITS NOT A LEXUS ISSUE. *YD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Jan 2, 2002
Incident date: Dec 31, 2001
VEHICLE STARTED UP WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION, AND WHILE IN PARK, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE IN REVERSE INTO THE STREET. DEALER IS TAKING A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.*AK. DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE REMOTE STARTER ITS NOT A LEXUS ISSUE. *YD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 14, 2001
Incident date: Nov 11, 2001
ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2001 I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING INCIDENT WITH MY CAR. ON THAT EVENING, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULDNT STOP AND INSTEAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION FORCED ME INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INT... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Dec 14, 2001
Incident date: Nov 11, 2001
ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2001 I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING INCIDENT WITH MY CAR. ON THAT EVENING, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULDNT STOP AND INSTEAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION FORCED ME INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INT... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Nov 30, 2001
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
TEN MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF A FIRE DEVELOPED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AN INSPECTOR FROM INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED FUEL LEAKED FROM A RUBBER HOSE COMING OFF FUEL FILTER THAT LEAKED ONTO A HOT ENGINE WHICH IGNITED T... Read more
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Nov 29, 2001
Incident date: Sep 22, 2001
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH DECELERATION AND HESITATION WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE AT DEALER SHOP WAITING ON A COMPUTER REPLACEMENT ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNNING THIS MATTER. *AK
TIRES:SIDEWALL Jul 23, 2001
Incident date: Jul 6, 2001
TIRE HAD A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL AFTER DRIVING ONLY 1500 MILES. BRIDGESTONE SAY'S IT'S DUE TO ROADHAZARD. I DON'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING, BUT I CAN'T RULE IT OUT. BRIDGESTONE HAS NEVER ACTUALLY INSPECTED THE TIRE. LEXUS REPLACED THE TIRE AT A COST OF $285. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LEXUS, MIKE JA... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) Jul 16, 2001
Incident date: Feb 1, 2001
THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL IS THAT IT ENGAGES MUCH TOO EASILY AND FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ENGAGING UNDER EXCELLENT CONDITIONS WHERE THE PAVEMENT IS DRY AND THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED LESS THAN HALF. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING READ-ENDED A FEW TIMES DUE TO ... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Feb 12, 2001
Incident date: Jan 15, 2001
STICKING ACCELERATOR. *AK

NHTSA Safety Investigations — LEXUS ES300

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

DP09001 Opened: Apr 8, 2009 — Closed: Oct 29, 2009
DP — Closed — Model Year: 2003
UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED DP09-001 ON APRIL 8, 2009, TO EVALUATE A DEFECT PETITION REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM DEFECTS UNRELATED TO FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDALS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 LEXUS ES 350 VEHICLES.THE PET... Read more
DP04003 Opened: Feb 17, 2004 — Closed: Mar 5, 2004
DP — Closed — Model Year: 2003
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
THE POPULATION NUMBER NOTED ABOVE IS ESTIMATED.IN THE JANUARY 15TH, 2004 PETITION REQUEST LETTER TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 37 VOQ COMPLAINTS AS RELATED TO VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ISSUES SIMILAR TO THOSE THE PETITIONER ALLEGEDLY EXPERIENCED... Read more

LEXUS ES300 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the LEXUS ES300 across all model years (1992–2002).

9 Total Recalls
869 Total Complaints
2 Investigations
212 Reported Crashes
28 Reported Fires
8 Reported Deaths

LEXUS ES300 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2013 0 8 View
2006 0 4 View
2005 0 1 View
2003 0 147 View
2002 2 194 View
2001 (current) 0 36
2000 0 78 View
1999 0 35 View
1998 1 61 View
1997 2 50 View
1996 1 44 View
1995 1 55 View
1994 1 50 View
1993 0 53 View
1992 1 46 View

Other LEXUS Models

Model Recalls Complaints
LS 421 284 View
RX 420 1,181 View
TX 406 75 View
LX 353 73 View
NX 352 296 View
NX HYBRID 310 13 View
LS HYBRID 256 5 View
RZ 252 29 View