Lexus ES HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
31,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 44 complaints (20.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 38.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
Unknown Or Other: 9; Service Brakes: 7; Power Train: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Electrical System: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 4; Structure:Body: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 11; 2019: 7; 2020: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10940196 · 2017-01-06 (January 6, 2017)
PARKED IN PARKING RAMP FRONT IN.BACKED OUT SLOWLY, TAPPED PILLAR AT REAR MOVED FORWARD TO ADJUST STEERING, REVERSED AGAIN, THEN ENGINE ACCELERATED SLAMMED ME BACK INTO PILLAR, STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE HIGH SPEED UP THE RAMP. I TIRED TO PUT THROTTLE IN N, DID NOT SLOW DOWN, SLAMMED ONE FOOT ON BRAKE, DID NOT SLOW DOWN, THEN SLAMMED BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DID STOP BEFORE HITTING CEMENT FENCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10940196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995042 · 2017-06-14 (June 14, 2017)
THE CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. WHILE THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL AND BOUNCED OVER A CURB, DOWN A HILL, STRIKING A PICK UP AND A TREE.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11296702 · 2020-01-02 (January 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, UNABLE TO SEE VERY WELL DURING NIGHT TIME, THE CONTACT WENT OFF THE PAVEMENT AND ONTO THE GRASS. THE CONTACT WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GUARDRAIL AND REALIZED HE WAS OFF THE ROAD THEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE GRASS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JAMMED INWARD TO THE DASHBOARD CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENCOUNTER HIS CHEST. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110641 · 2018-07-10 (July 10, 2018)
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FACING UPHILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. I STARTED THE CAR AND SET THE GEAR SHIFT/SELECTOR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) TO DRIVE POSITION WHILE CHECKING THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA WAS NOT ENGAGED. I RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BREAK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND CONFIRMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE AND THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA HAD NOT ENGAGED. I RELEASED THE BREAK AND ACCELERATED TO GO UP THE HILL. THE CAR ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. I HIT THE BREAKS AND CONFIRMED AGAIN THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS CLEARLY IN DRIVE POSITION EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10818714 · 2016-01-07 (January 7, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10818714 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 0; 2017: 0; 2018: 0; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1