The Lemon Index2000 Lexus ES.
The 2000 Lexus ES is better than average by owner complaints: 27 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 59, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 20 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 62 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus ES year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 60K to 131K miles on the car (38 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 60 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on automatic transmission fluid leak
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine seizure2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The vehicle was involved in an accident, and the sun roof shattered.
2000 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10014924
More owner reports
The vehicle was involved in a collision, and the sun roof shattered.
NHTSA complaint 10014921
The vehicle was involved in a collision and the sunroof shattered. Jb
NHTSA complaint 10014927
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Lexus ES reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 59; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2000 Lexus ES problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (41%), brakes (19%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Lexus ES have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Lexus ES get?
20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Lexus ES problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 131,200 miles. The middle report was at 83,500 miles, from 38 complaints.
Does the 2000 Lexus ES have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Lexus ES have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus ES year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works