Lexus ES 300: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
357 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lexus ES 300, model years 2000 to 2013. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2002 (transmission). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 ES 300FEW REPORTS | 51 | — | 0 | |
| 2001 ES 300FEW REPORTS | 29 | — | 0 | |
| 2002 ES 300 | 152 | transmission | 2 | |
| 2003 ES 300FEW REPORTS | 116 | — | 0 | |
| 2005 ES 300FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2006 ES 300FEW REPORTS | 3 | — | 0 | |
| 2013 ES 300FEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Lexus models
Lexus ES · Lexus ES 330 · Lexus ES 350 · Lexus GS 300 · Lexus GS 350 · Lexus GX · Lexus GX 470 · Lexus IS · Lexus IS 250 · Lexus IS 350 · Lexus LS · Lexus LS 430 · Lexus LS 460 · Lexus NX · Lexus RX · Lexus RX 300 · Lexus RX 330 · Lexus RX 350 · Lexus RX Hybrid. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2002