There are 3 owner-reported tires & wheels complaints for the 2001 Lexus ESin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I WAS DRIVING FOR 2.5 HOURS FROM VIRGINIA TO WEST VIRGINIA AND 3 OF MY 4 BRAND NEW TIRES WENT FLAT AT THE SAME TIME ON I81 NORTH. THEY WERE INSTALLED THE PRIOR SATURDAY AND I DROVE ON THE NEXT TUESDAY. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR ASSURANCE MAXLIFE, AND THEY WERE PROPERLY INFLATED. THE GOODYEAR TIRE SERVICE WHERE I WAS TOWED FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES SAID THERE ARE NO PUNCTURES ON THE TIRES, WHICH I STILL HAVE. I DO NOT RECALL HITTING ANYTHING,
THE WHEELS ON THIS VEHICLE BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS--IF YOU HIT THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN ROAD, THEY WILL BEND, BREAK, OR CRACK, CAUSING THE TIRE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *AK
TIRE HAD A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL AFTER DRIVING ONLY 1500 MILES. BRIDGESTONE SAY'S IT'S DUE TO ROADHAZARD. I DON'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING, BUT I CAN'T RULE IT OUT. BRIDGESTONE HAS NEVER ACTUALLY INSPECTED THE TIRE. LEXUS REPLACED THE TIRE AT A COST OF $285. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LEXUS, MIKE JACKSON, SAID THERE IS A RISK YOU TAKE FROM DRIVING ON "LOW PROFILE" TIRES. I TOLD HIM IF I KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A RISK DRIVING A $31,000 CAR I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT. HE RECOMMENDED I PURCHASE THE SMALLER 16" WHEELS AND TIRES, AT AN ADDITIONAL COST.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215/45ZR17)
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026