Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Lexus ES300, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Vehicle speed control8
- Seat belts5
- Electrical system5
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Visibility3
- Equipment3
- Air bags3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Seats3
- Power train2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In New Zealand
23 1997 cars are on the New Zealand register; 9% arrived as used imports, 91% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lexus told its dealers about the 1997 Lexus ES300: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 628655 | SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SPECIFIC MECHANICAL ENGINE PROBLEMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE CONDITION KNOWN AS OIL GELLING OR SLUDGE. *TT |
| 627085 | SUBJECT REGARDING TURN SIGNALS FLASHING ABNORMALLY. *SLC |
| 622252 | INFORMATION ON PREVENTING PARTICLE BUILDUP AND PRESERVE THE APPEARANCE OF THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR.*JB |
| 619796 | SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING WHEELNUT SERVICE SPECIFICATION. *TT |
| 619119 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW SEAT BELT TONGUE PLATE STOPPER SERVICE PARTS. *TT |
| 619113 | SUBJECT REGARDING RETRO-FIT INTERNAL TRUNK RELEASE KITS. *TT |
| 614070 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATION HAS BEEN CHANGED. *TT |
| 614064 | SUBJECT REGARDING SEAT HEATER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 610100 | SERVICE INFORMATION TO ELIMINATE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT NOISE. *TT |
| 6088674 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SETTING. *TT |
| 604676 | CONCERNS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES MAKING GROANING OR GRINDING NOISE. *TT |
| 602521 | THE STEERING RACK HOUSING BUSHING ON SOME VEHICLES HAS BEEN CHANGED TO REDUCE NOISE FROM THE STEERING RACK HOUSING BRACKET. *YC |
| 602271 | THE STEERING RACK BUSHING ON SOME VEHICLES HAS BEEN CHANGED TO REDUCE NOISE FROMTHE RACK HOUSING BRACKET NO. 2. *YC |
| 601429 | CHARCOAL CANISTER ASSEMBLY SUPPLY PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SIMPLIFY PARTS PRODUCTION AND PERMIT INTERCHANGEABILITY WITH CURRENT MODEL VEHICLES. *YC |
| 600199 | EXPERIENCING WIND THROB NOISE COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF. *YC |
| 52034 | FRONT ASHTRAY RECEPTACLE BUZZ NOISE. *JD |
| 52028 | PUBLICATION CORRECTION INFORMATION. *JD |
| 50705 | AIR LEAK NOISE FROM FRONT DOOR GLASS AT LOWER REAR CORNER. *TW |
| 10214355 | Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022 |
| 10207945 | POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well. |
| 10205352 | Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning |
| 10205346 | Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions |
| 10205331 | Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset |
| 10205330 | Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset |
| 10205329 | Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE SEIZURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation