Research · Compact Cars
2000 Lexus ES300Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints for the 2000 Lexus ES300. Most complaints involve power train (10) and electrical system (10). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
63
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2000 Lexus ES300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
63 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Dec 2021
- Power train10
- Electrical system10
- Visibility10
- Vehicle speed control8
- Service brakes, hydraulic8
- Engine5
- Air bags5
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Tires4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
10 reports1 fire
“ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IS FRIED, DRAINING EVERY BATTERY I BUY ( ABOUT A TOTAL OF 15 OR MORE BOUGHT) I'VE CHANGED THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL. IF I TURN THE A/C ON THE LIGHTS DIM AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN DANGEROUSLY BEFORE COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN! MY CAR IS A RISK ON THE ROAD SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE FINDING OUT, YET, I STILL HAVE TO PAY INSURANCE EVERY MONTH ON IT.”
Electrical system
10 reports1 crash3 fires
“ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2018, AT AROUND 1:05 P.M I WAS DRIVING MY LEXUS ES 300 DOWN ROUTE 88 PENNSYLVANIA APPROXIMATELY 5 MINS FROM MY RESIDENCE. WHEN SUDDENLY SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I BEGAN TO PANIC AND PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND STOPPED TURNING IGNITION OFF AND IMMEDIATELY FLED THE VEHICLE. HEAVY SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. I RAN TO THE CLOSEST RESIDENCE AND POUNDED ON THE DOOR TO GET HELP AND TO WARN THE OCCUPANTS OF THE POSSIBLE FIRE. AS I WAS PARKED AT THE EDGE OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO ANSWER, AT THE SAME TIME A PASSERBY NOTIFIED ME THAT I HAD FIRE UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE, HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. POLICE RESPONDED IN ONE MINUTE. FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, BY THIS TIME VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE HAD JUST ST UNDER 150,000 MILES AT TIME OF INCEDENT.. CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO THEN HIRED AN INDEPENDENT FIRE INVESTIGATOR, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AT THE SUNROOF, SO INTERIOR FUSE PANEL AND CENTER CONSOLE.”
Visibility
10 reports8 crashes
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. *JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300 Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,000 | 444 |
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Lexus ES300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 4126
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2000 ES300 questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Lexus ES300 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.
What are the most common 2000 Lexus ES300 problems?
Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (10), electrical system (10), visibility (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2000 Lexus ES300 get?
The EPA rates the 2000 Lexus ES300 at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026