10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,350 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Lexus ES 300h:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Aug 162023

ES 300h

  • miles
I was driving down the highway coming up on a traffic jam put on the brakes and several warning. Lights came on the dash and my power brakes failed. I was barely able to stop the car without hitting someone. From that point forward the brakes did not work properly, the regenerative braking system did not function. also, the cruise control stopped functioning. I took the car to the Lexus dealer, they tested the car and stated it need a new brake booster brake assembly and that there was a safety warranty issue that was extended out 10 years and up to 150,000 miles and although my car only had 79,000 miles on it was three months past the warranty date and the refused. They reset the car brakes apparently and I was able to drive the car for several days while I spoke with Lexus, and then the car brakes failed again.

- Caguas, PR, USA

problem #4

Apr 042017

ES 300h

  • 58,000 miles
I was parking my car on a commercial complex. I am pressing on the brake as the car slows down. When I further pressed on the brake, the car instead of taking a complete stop, accelerated. It hit the building in front of me. When trying to back up, it accelerated again in reverse. I pressed the brake really hard then it stopped.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 022015

ES 300h

  • miles
Vehicle has the "hesitation on accelerating" or "throttle lag" problem which is documented on many models of both Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Vehicle hesitates when accelerating from stop light, slowing to make a turn, or in traffic when slowing and then accelerating. It is unresponsive for 1-2 seconds then accelerates fast. This is especially dangerous when crossing a busy uncontrolled intersection. Occurs routinely when driving everyday. This hesitation is dangerous, not normal, and is a safety issue that needs addressing by the manufacturer.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #2

Sep 202012

ES 300h

  • 250 miles
Ever since car was purchased @one year ago, there are occasional 1-3 second hesitations upon acceleration. These occur from dead stop or at low speeds. Two dealers have examined the computers, finding no evidence that the problem exists. They also say no other local owner has complained of a similar problem and the manufacturer reportedly has no record of such a complainant nationwide. But a number of different passengers in the car have felt the hesitation and asked what's wrong. I wish I knew and I wish Lexus knew. Since this has happened many times when I was changing lanes on a surface street or the freeway (socal) or making left/right turns with oncoming traffic, my fear is that my vehicle is going to be hit, although I am as careful as I can be when changing lanes/turning because I know at any time the car will hesitate for a few seconds. I experienced this problem noticeably, as did other owners, with previous year models, but am assured by dealers and the local district office that Lexus has solved it now. I only wish!

- Westlake Village, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 132013

ES 300h

  • 8,500 miles
Lexus ES350 stall or hesitation problem on 2013 model. My car frequently but intermittently hesitates when accelerating from a stop or rolling stop position. I've had it about 8 months and it has probably stalled at least 100 times. Tulsa's Lexus dealership says there's nothing wrong with it and that Lexus designed the car that way for fuel efficiency (yes, that is what they've told me, and with a straight face). My 2010 ES did the same thing, and my 2007 ES did the same thing. You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now and bought a different brand of car. This is an extremely dangerous problem when pulling out into traffic. I would not recommend a Lexus to anyone until they get this problem fixed. [xxx]in tulsa, ok. 7-16-13 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Tulsa, OK, USA