The 1997 Lexus Es300 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 558,783 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
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…
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The steering wheel comes completely off the column while driving on the freeway. Then again when turning. The car could not be steered at all. The horn and power steering no longer work.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. While driving approximately 40 mph, the driver unknowingly fell asleep and crashed into a guard rail. The vehicle flipped over twice, causing the driver to be injured. The front passenger's seat was fully reclined on the track frame with the occupant being…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. The contact stated that while shifting into drive, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. The driver received bruises from the air bag deployemnt and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the…”
“Firestone fr380 bl p205/65r15 92s tread seperated at highway speed. Single tire replaced with primewell ps830/850 bl 205/65r15 94h. *tr”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. While driving 25 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated. He lost vehicle control and drove into a field. The vehicle stopped after he crashed into a condominium. The vehicle was completely destroyed. He received injuries to the head, back, and spine. His dog…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lexus es300. While driving 30 mph up hill, he noticed that the vehicle would not stop accelerating even when the brakes were applied. The failure caused the contact to crash into a building. The contact sustained injuries to his neck and ribs during the crash. The…”
“For some time, the driver's side seat heater (left side of seat) would reach a temperature which was uncomfortable. So, I would turn it on for a few minutes to warm up, and then turn it off when it became hot. I decided to take it in to the dealership to be checked out and adjusted, if necessary.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Lexus Es300 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.