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FaultScore report

2013 Lexus ES Hybrid problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2013 Lexus ES Hybrid with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Lexus ES Hybrid All 2013 cars
D

FaultScore 73/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lexus ES Hybrid.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

8

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

30,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

55%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 49 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 93 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Lexus ES Hybrid. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
83.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 93
55% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2013 compares with every other Lexus ES Hybrid

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2013 Lexus ES Hybrid

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 25.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 2 16.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,000 mi

Body & Structure 2 16.7%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 26,000 mi

Brakes 2 16.7%

Median failure at 63,505 miles

Airbags 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 30,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,700 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 9.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 27.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 4 36.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 18.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 9.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Dec 2015 peak 3 Jun 2026

NHTSA investigations into the 2013 Lexus ES Hybrid

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP22005 Opened 27 Jan 2023 Closed 7 Aug 2023 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 45,700 miles LOS Angeles, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN

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 REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR THAT HAD BEEN BEHIND ME. I THEN SET THE GEAR SHIFT TO PARK POSITION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11110641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,700 miles LOS Angeles, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR THAT HAD BEEN BEHIND ME. I THEN SET THE GEAR SHIFT TO PARK POSITION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11110641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Chehalis, WA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10995042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Fair Oaks, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THE CAR WAS IN A VERY BAD FRONT END COLLISION 1-15-16, AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE CAN SEND PHOTOS, AND THE CAR IS ON HOLD, NOT TO BE TOUCHED AT THE INSURANCE STORAGE YARD. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO.

NHTSA complaint #10821821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Fair Oaks, CA Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CAR WAS IN A VERY BAD FRONT END COLLISION 1-15-16, AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE CAN SEND PHOTOS, AND THE CAR IS ON HOLD, NOT TO BE TOUCHED AT THE INSURANCE STORAGE YARD. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO.

NHTSA complaint #10821821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Plano, TX Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY FORD F-150 PRETTY HARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT SUV VEHICLE WHICH ALSO GOT PUSHED FORWARD FROM STATIONARY POSITION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. CAR GOT TOTALED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE CAR SHRUNK WRAPPING THE FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND STILL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HENCE THE COMPLAINT

NHTSA complaint #10810007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 127,000 miles Glendale, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus ES300 Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and significant reduction in braking efficiency. The contact stated that the brake pedal became extremely stiff and rigid, requiring excessive force to be depressed to stop the vehicle. Simultaneously, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #11743520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles LAS Vegas, NV

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS BRAKE FAILURE CODE C1391 BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING EMERGENCY STOP WHILE IN MOTION DRY CITY STREET, LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. COST OF REPAIR $ 5000.00 BY LEXUS DEALER. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BOTH LEXUS AND TOYOTA VEHICLES. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK AFTER THIS HAPPENED AS THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOW DISABLED. ``````````````````

NHTSA complaint #11152308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,700 miles LOS Angeles, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN

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 REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR THAT HAD BEEN BEHIND ME. I THEN SET THE GEAR SHIFT TO PARK POSITION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11110641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,700 miles LOS Angeles, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR THAT HAD BEEN BEHIND ME. I THEN SET THE GEAR SHIFT TO PARK POSITION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11110641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Chehalis, WA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10995042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Howell, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10940196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA RECALL 15V728 WAS ISSUED ON 11/3/2015. LEXUS HAS AN TEMPORARY FIX THAT SIMPLY DISABLES THE PRE-COLLISSION SYSTEM. THERE HAS BEEN NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS GETTING ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM APPLIES TO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #10859794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Fair Oaks, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THE CAR WAS IN A VERY BAD FRONT END COLLISION 1-15-16, AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE CAN SEND PHOTOS, AND THE CAR IS ON HOLD, NOT TO BE TOUCHED AT THE INSURANCE STORAGE YARD. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO.

NHTSA complaint #10821821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Fair Oaks, CA Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CAR WAS IN A VERY BAD FRONT END COLLISION 1-15-16, AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE CAN SEND PHOTOS, AND THE CAR IS ON HOLD, NOT TO BE TOUCHED AT THE INSURANCE STORAGE YARD. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO.

NHTSA complaint #10821821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Plano, TX Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY FORD F-150 PRETTY HARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT SUV VEHICLE WHICH ALSO GOT PUSHED FORWARD FROM STATIONARY POSITION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. CAR GOT TOTALED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE CAR SHRUNK WRAPPING THE FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND STILL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HENCE THE COMPLAINT

NHTSA complaint #10810007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Plano, TX Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY FORD F-150 PRETTY HARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT SUV VEHICLE WHICH ALSO GOT PUSHED FORWARD FROM STATIONARY POSITION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. CAR GOT TOTALED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE CAR SHRUNK WRAPPING THE FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND STILL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HENCE THE COMPLAINT

NHTSA complaint #10810007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Plano, TX Crash

ENGINE

CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY FORD F-150 PRETTY HARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT SUV VEHICLE WHICH ALSO GOT PUSHED FORWARD FROM STATIONARY POSITION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. CAR GOT TOTALED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE CAR SHRUNK WRAPPING THE FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND STILL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HENCE THE COMPLAINT

NHTSA complaint #10810007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.