The 1991 ES 300 is Lexus's first-generation luxury sedan built on the Toyota Camry platform with the 3VZ-FE V6. Solid overall but transmission and cooling-related issues dominate the problem list, plus age-related rubber and gasket failures typical of 30+ year-old vehicles.
Automatic Transmission Failure (A540E)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Slipping between gears, especially 2nd to 3rd, Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Shuddering or harsh shifts under light throttle, Burnt transmission fluid smell and dark brown/black fluid color
Fix: Full rebuild or replacement required. Internal clutch packs and seals wear out. Rebuild takes 12-16 hours; used replacement 8-10 hours. Preventive fluid changes every 30k can extend life but many originals are now past service life.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping from radiator area, Low transmission fluid warning or slipping after fluid loss, Pink or red staining on radiator or frame rails, Overheating transmission under load
Fix: Steel lines rust through at fittings or flex sections crack. Replace lines and inspect radiator-mounted cooler for internal leaks (can contaminate coolant). 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-500
Valve Cover Gasket and Camshaft Seal Leaks
Common · low severityTypical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Oil seeping onto exhaust manifolds causing burning smell, Oil drips on garage floor from front or rear of engine, Visible oil coating on valve covers or timing belt area, Engine bay oil accumulation attracting dirt
Fix: Age-hardened gaskets and seals leak oil. Valve cover gaskets alone are 2-3 hours; if doing camshaft seals add 4-6 hours since timing belt must come off. Always replace timing belt/water pump during cam seal work.
Estimated cost: $400-1,200
Engine and Transmission Mount Deterioration
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle, especially in Drive, Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Engine rocks noticeably during acceleration or braking, Visible torn rubber or fluid leaking from hydraulic mounts
Fix: Hydraulic mounts collapse internally. Front, rear, and transmission mounts all commonly fail. Replace all three together for best results. 3-4 hours labor total.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Power Steering Pump and Rack Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining noise during turns, especially when cold, Power steering fluid puddles under front of vehicle, Heavy steering effort or intermittent assist loss, Fluid visible on pump body or rack boots
Fix: Pump seals and rack end seals age out. Pump replacement 2-3 hours; rack replacement 4-6 hours. Inspect hoses for cracking during any PS work.
Estimated cost: $400-1,400
Starter Motor Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Click but no crank when key turned, Intermittent no-start requiring multiple key attempts, Grinding noise during start attempt, Works fine when cold, fails when engine is heat-soaked
Fix: Brushes wear out or solenoid contacts fail. Heat cycling over decades accelerates failure. Replacement is 2-3 hours; access from underneath. Rebuild available but replacement more reliable.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Radiator and Heater Hose Failures
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: Any mileage if original hoses remain
Symptoms: Coolant spraying from engine bay or pooling underneath, Sudden overheating with coolant loss, Visible cracking or swelling on rubber hoses, Steam from hood after hot shutdown
Fix: 30+ year-old rubber becomes brittle regardless of mileage. Lower radiator hose and small heater hoses most prone. Replace all cooling hoses preventively. 3-4 hours for complete system flush and hose replacement.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Window Regulator Failures
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Window drops into door and won't raise, Grinding or clicking noise when operating window, Window moves slowly or unevenly, Window off-track or tilted in door frame
Fix: Plastic rollers or lift arms crack with age. Driver's side most common due to frequent use. 2-3 hours per door for regulator replacement.
Estimated cost: $250-500
Buy one if transmission shifts perfectly and cooling system has been maintained; budget $1,500-2,500 for deferred maintenance on any 30+ year-old example regardless of claimed history.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.