Model year

1997 Lexus ES

Sedan, gasoline, 4x2, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from Jun 4, 2007 to Sep 2, 2012.

Recall campaigns covering this model year116k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Below the median 1997 sedan
Severity index0.01997 sedans average 14.9
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1997 Lexus ES peaked in 2007, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.250.50.75120071200920112013201520172019202120232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

50% of complaints about the 1997 Lexus ES name powertrain

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Powertrain
1
Seats
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

One recall campaign covers the 1997 Lexus ES

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1997 Lexus ES
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
09E-012Apr 7, 2009These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated…Lighting16,270Refund or buyback
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1997 Lexus ES

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Sep 2, 2012Failure Jul 14, 2011175,000 milesSilver Spring, MDPower train

    REAR NOISE WHILE DRIVING MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE THE SAME QUESTION. WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER POT HOLES I MAKES A SOUND SIMILAR TO GOLF / BOWING BOWLN HITTING EACH OTHER. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10473604
  2. Filed Jun 4, 2007Failure Dec 28, 200120,000 milesNoblesville, INSeat heater/cooler

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LEXUS ES 300. HE STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON DECEMBER 28, 2001. APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HOWEVER; HE FELT THIS ISSUE WAS MORE SEVERE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN APPEARS TO BE INVALID. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10192413
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

10 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • Safety Recall 22 Apr 13, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
  • Lexus PRO19-02 - Jan 12, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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 i…
  • LSB009213B Dec 19, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Windshield Wiper Blade Maintenance and cleaning
  • LSB008214 Oct 16, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
  • LSB002514B Jul 7, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset
  • LSB002514 Jul 4, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset.
  • Lexus Safety Re May 1, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
  • L-SB-0179-17 Obs Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
  • L-SB-0008-20 Apr 6, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, PG002-90, L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003 9…
  • L-SB-0179-17 Nov 28, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-97, PG003-93, and PG002-90. Service Bulletin Nos. L-SB-0048-08, PG007-07, PG016-01, PG015-01, PG004-97, PG003-…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.