Check a VIN

Lexus ES300 problems by year

Owners have filed 680 complaints about the Lexus ES300 since 1992, and 5 recalls have been issued. The 2002 model year has 153 complaints, more than any other year, led by transmission and acceleration problems.

2 years to avoidWorst: 2002
Owner complaints
680
Recalls
5
Worst year
2002
Model years
1992-2013

Lexus ES300 years to avoid

More than twice the ES300's typical complaint count for a model year.

Best Lexus ES300 years

Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

Lexus ES300 complaints by model year

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

1992199520002013

How we calculate this

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

Most common Lexus ES300 problems

All model years combined.

  • Acceleration
    149
  • Transmission
    116
  • Engine
    85
  • Airbags
    72
  • Electrical
    71
  • Brakes
    57
  • Seat belts
    33
  • Visibility
    31
  • Fuel system
    29
  • Tires
    28
  • Steering
    23
  • Lights
    22

Lexus ES300 problems year by year

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

YearScoreComplaintsTop problemTypical mileageRecallsCrashes
2013935Brakes3,50002
2006953Acceleration01
2005951Acceleration01
200324116Acceleration35,000043Avoid
200215153Transmission30,000237Avoid
20017429Acceleration60,000011
2000-56Transmission77,000017
1999-27Engine88,00004
1998-52Airbags87,129113
1997-45Acceleration100,00026
1996-37Engine109,00019
1995-38Electrical103,28315
1994-39Seat belts110,00016
1993-42Electrical105,00005
1992-37Transmission141,83514

Recalls 5

See all 5 recalls for the Lexus ES300

Questions about the Lexus ES300

What years of the Lexus ES300 should you avoid?

2002 and 2003. Each has more than twice the Lexus ES300's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2002 alone has 153, mostly about transmission and acceleration.

What is the best year for a used Lexus ES300?

There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

What is the most common problem with the Lexus ES300?

Acceleration, with 149 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (116) and engine (85).

How many recalls does the Lexus ES300 have?

5 recalls between 1992 and 2013. The 2002 model year has the most, with 2.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Lexus ES300?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN