2001 Lexus ES300 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

10456444

Incident

Jan 16, 2012

Mileage

110,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10390319

Incident

Mar 9, 2011

Mileage

195,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10327463

Incident

Feb 15, 2010

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

NHTSA ID

10310740

Incident

Feb 3, 2007

Mileage

41,014 mi

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 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

NHTSA ID

10306712

Incident

Jul 11, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SKIPPING AT 92,00 MILES AND FAILED, MADE REPAIR $560. NOW AT 104,000 TRANSMISSION HAS TOTALLY FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261275

Incident

Mar 6, 2009

Mileage

92,000 mi

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 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.

NHTSA ID

10224076

Incident

Mar 13, 2008

Mileage

99,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10193988

Incident

May 5, 2007

Mileage

82,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10155274

Incident

Mar 19, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10138278

Incident

Sep 25, 2005

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 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

NHTSA ID

10104611

Incident

Aug 28, 2004

Mileage

31,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10073618

Mileage

27,000 mi

ACCERATOR STICKING

NHTSA ID

10062245

Incident

Dec 20, 2003

Mileage

23,000 mi

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 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

NHTSA ID

10041687

Incident

Oct 10, 2003

Mileage

29,298 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10016136

Incident

Jan 27, 2003

Mileage

22,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

769898

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE DIGITAL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

8017412

Incident

Oct 22, 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

NHTSA ID

8016004

Incident

Apr 17, 2001

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

NHTSA ID

764342

Incident

Jul 5, 2002

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

NHTSA ID

763639

Incident

Dec 26, 2000

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 THE DRIVERS DOOR OPEN TO GET THE KEY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER JUMPED IN AND BROUGHT IT TO A STOP. DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND STATED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *YD

NHTSA ID

565096

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

NHTSA ID

8001321

Incident

Dec 31, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVER VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

755990

Incident

Jun 28, 2000

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 INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SINCE THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED TO BE OPERATING PROPERLY FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, WHEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN. ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 21ST, 2001 I WAS DROPPING A FRIEND OFF AT HOME WHEN I PROCEEDED INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I PULLED FORWARD, OUT OF NOWHERE, A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED AND FORCED THE CAR OVER THE CURB AND UP A HILL. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. ANOTHER WITNESS SAW THE REAR TIRES SPINNING AS THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER THE CURB AND UP THE HILL. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID

755573

Incident

Nov 11, 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 THE FUEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

899761

Incident

Nov 1, 2001