LexusES3001997Overview/lexus/es300/1997/base/

1997 Lexus ES300

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 ES300.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Lexus ES300 comes equipped with a four‑speed automatic transmission and holds five quarts of 10W‑30/5W‑30 API oil, achieving EPA‑rated 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined miles per gallon. Within the model’s 1990‑2005 complaint record, it registers 48 total owner complaints, with the predominant issue concerning vehicle speed control and only two recall actions, placing it well below the 186 complaints recorded in 2002 and nearer to the single‑digit figures of later years. This early‑year placement indicates a comparatively modest reliability profile for the generation.

Model year200320022001200019991998199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65VR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter1780103010
Fuel filter2330020040 alt 2330074280
Front wiper blades8521247021 alt 8522233180
Serpentine belt9091602401 alt 9008091212
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8888033020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.21-.33 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6400-11,100 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.65-1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Optional BCI Group Number24F
Optional BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression145-218. 14 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 79 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle34 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9016 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
110MM Bolts14 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the 1997 model year, the Lexus ES300 recorded 48 complaints and 2 recalls, matching the peak complaints level seen in 1998 (56 complaints) but slightly lower than the 1996 figure (40 complaints). The recall count of 2 in 1997 is the same as 1998 and the only year in the immediate sequence that saw more than one recall, indicating a modest uptick in safety‑related issues. Compared to the preceding year (1996) and the following year (1998), the investigations remained steady at one, while the total serious brake system (TSB) complaints rose to 48 in 1997 from 36 in 1996 and 60 in 1998, suggesting a short‑term spike. Top complaint areas for 1997—Vehicle Speed Control (8), Electrical System (5), Seat Belts (4), and Engine & Engine Cooling (4)—were all within the range observed in adjacent years, with no new categories emerging. With 6 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints, the 1997 ES300 falls within the typical low‑to‑moderate range for the generation. Overall, the 1997 model shows a slight rise in complaints but no dramatic trend; it remains a viable purchase if the vehicle has a clean maintenance history.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
48
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
48
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control8
Electrical System5
Seat Belts4
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Seats3
Visibility3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Air Bags3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V307000Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle BarReported 01/11/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS. Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

97V156000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power AssistReported 17/09/1997

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… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 48 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Safety Recall 222022-04-13EquipmentLexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Lexus PRO19-02 -2022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Lexus Safety Re2020-05-01EquipmentSafety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
L-SB-0179-17 Obs2020-04-06EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
L-SB-0008-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific ES300. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 ES300 take?

5 qt of ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 ES300 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the ES300 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.