Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

1999 Lexus ES300Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints for the 1999 Lexus ES300. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (10) and vehicle speed control (5). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
37
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Lexus ES300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Oct 2020
  1. Engine and engine cooling10
  2. Vehicle speed control5
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Power train3
  5. Seat belts3
  6. Air bags3
  7. Suspension2
  8. Visibility2
  9. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ES300 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199640
199745
199855
199937
200063
200138
2002185
2003140
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

10 reports
“CALL LEXUS AND MADE COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CAR AND THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING GETTING RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING. THEY ARE REQUESTING THAT I TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING TO FIX MY VEHICLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10319103

Vehicle speed control

5 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS ES300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE REVERSE POSITION. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2010Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10321066

Electrical system

4 reports2 fires
“WIFE DROVE LEXUS 2 MILES TO BAKERY, CRUST N'CRUMBS AT 1370 N MAIN ROAD, VINELAND, NJ. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF BAKERY, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME. I DROVE THERE AND RAISED THE HOOD. 2 COIL PACKS WERE ON FIRE (ABOUT A 2 INCH FLAME) AND THE HOOD INSULATION WAS SMOULDERING. I BLEW OUT THE TWO FIRES AND PUT WATER ON THE COILS AND HOOD INSULATION. THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WAS NOT REPORTED TO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2020Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11366453
All 1999 ES300 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 300
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,150468
  • ES 300
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,150/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Lexus ES300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 4003
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 ES300 questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Lexus ES300 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.

What are the most common 1999 Lexus ES300 problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (10), vehicle speed control (5), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Lexus ES300 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Lexus ES300 at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026