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Vehicle safety record

2001 Lexus ES300 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2001 Lexus ES300 with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (9) and the transmission & drivetrain (7). Those complaints describe 12 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2000 has 63 and the 2002 has 185.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical ES300 year, for its age

#130 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Crashes
12
Fires
1
Injuries
8
Deaths
0

Most common 2001 Lexus ES300 problems

Share of all 38 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2001 Lexus ES300

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus ES300. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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38 complaints about the 2001 Lexus ES300

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Wheels & tires

I was driving for 2.5 Hours from virginia to west virginia and 3 of my 4 brand new tires went flat at the same time on i81 north. They were installed the prior saturday and I drove on the next tuesday. The tires are goodyear assurance maxlife, and they were properly inflated. The goodyear tire service where I was towed for replacement tires said there are no punctures on the tires, which I still have. I do not recall hitting anything,

Filed Incident Tires · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11286479
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.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10456444
AirbagsCrash

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

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10390319
Acceleration & cruise control

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 accelerator, when the rpms began acting erratically. The consumer stated only a computer failure could have caused the rpm to instantly increase in that manner. The consumer stated he went to the garage to see what was going on and was able to turn the vehicle off. The consumer re-started the vehicle and it behaved in a normal manner.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10327463
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

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*bf updated 08/24/10

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10310740
BrakesEquipment & accessories

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 . I thank god I was able to remove my mat- as of that day-i removed my mat & have ruined my carpet, but that is fine. I am surprised this recall is not for my make & model- when I heard the issues with the pedal...It...

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brought back that day- if I was unable to free the pedal, I do not know what would have happened- I would never had thought to hit the e brake or shut car down- and I put all my power on the brake & it would not work. All in all it is an excellent car! *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Equipment adaptive / mobilityNHTSA 10306712
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission skipping at 92,00 miles and failed, made repair $560. Now at 104,000 transmission has totally failed. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10261275
AirbagsCrash1 injury

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 second vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy in the third vehicle and no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company's service center for repair. The manufacturer was notified after the...

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repair was made and they stated that nothing could be done because the vehicle had been repaired. A police report was filed. The contact's daughter was injured. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was unavailable.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10224076
Transmission & drivetrain

Attempting to merge unto the highway, vehicle (2001 lexus es300) would not accelerate above 35 mph, forcing me to get off to the shoulder of the highway. There was no prior warning as to any problem with the transmission (was just fully serviced at the lexus dealership in austin 2 months prior to incident). Have since learned that the transmission is beyond repair. Automobile has only 101,000 miles. Lexus repair cost is just under 6000.00. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10212960
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10193988
Seats & seat beltsCrash3 injuries

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10155274
Acceleration & cruise control

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 and the repair work would be $500. *Nm

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10138278
BrakesEquipment & accessoriesCrash

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...

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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.*Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · EquipmentNHTSA 10104611
Lights

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

Filed Exterior lightingNHTSA 10073618
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

ACCERATOR STICKING

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10062245
BrakesCrash

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...

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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. On a previous service the car was checked for the same problem. We had a previous lexus es 00 from 1997 and that problem was not present. I am very disappointed since my wife uses this car to pick up our children from school as well as for her transportation. I have tested other lexus vehicles and the brakes are very different (lexus lx470, lexus rx300, lexus rx330), I also have a mercedes c240 that shows to have very sensitive brakes and you feel secure when braking either wet or dry. I had a 1992 toyota camry that had also very good brakes. *La

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10041687
BrakesCrash

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 complaint about excessive brake noise. *Nlm

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10016136
Other & unknown

DEFECTIVE OVERRIDE SWITCH.

Filed Unknown or otherNHTSA 10011780
AirbagsCrash1 injury

While driving 30mph had front end collision neither air bag deployed, resultuing in injuries. Ts

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10004358
Body, doors & structure1 injury

Consume stated the trunk would not stay up, and it came down fast causing injuries. Please provide any additional information.*Jb

Filed StructureNHTSA 10002590
Lights

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 make the same observations. We are not sure if it is an illumination problem (i.E., Enough light beyond the well lit perimeter) or human eye problems (too much light in the foreground causing the iris of the eye to not adjust for beyond the lighted perimeter). We are very anxious about driving in the mountains at night. We suggest you look into the problem. Dt

Filed Exterior lightingNHTSA 769898
Other & unknown

Consumer is unable to see digital dash indicator lights in bright sunlight.*Ak *jb

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 8017412
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 8016004
Wheels & tires

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

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 764342
AirbagsCrash1 injury

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

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 763639

Lexus ES300: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20051010Acceleration & cruise controlA
20031400524Acceleration & cruise controlF
200218524510Transmission & drivetrainF
2001380121Acceleration & cruise controlC
2000630174Transmission & drivetrainD
199937053Engine & coolingB
1998551131Seats & seat beltsD
199745262Seats & seat beltsC
All ES300 years

2001 Lexus ES300 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2001 Lexus ES300

Does the 2001 Lexus ES300 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus ES300 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lexus ES300?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (9), transmission & drivetrain (7), wheels & tires (6).

How many complaints has the 2001 Lexus ES300 had?

38 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 5, 2001 and the latest on December 2, 2019. Of these, 12 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 8 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 Lexus ES300 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Lexus ES300 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lexus ES300 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2001 Lexus ES300 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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