Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2015 Lexus ES Hybrid with NHTSA between 2015 and 2022.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 41
Against the median year of the Lexus ES Hybrid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2015 compares with every other Lexus ES Hybrid
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Lexus ES Hybrid
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
440.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 4,250 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
330.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 8,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
Median failure at 39,916 miles
Equipment & Accessories
110.0%
Median failure at 500 miles
Brakes
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
444.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
222.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
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.
Nov 2015peak 4Oct 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 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.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL 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 55,000 milesFrisco, TXCrash
POWER TRAIN
ON 6/3/2019 AT 12 NOON, IT HAS SUDDEN RUNAWAY ACCELERATION. WE HAD STOPPED ON THE CURB OUTSIDE OUR HOME AND THEN STARTED DRIVING SLOWLY IN EV MODE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT ACCELERATED HARD BY ITSELF, HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN HIT THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE AFTER GOING OVER SOME SHRUBBERY. THERE WAS NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKES; IT ALL HAPPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CLEARLY UNINTENDED RUNAWAY ACCELERATION, AND THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. THIS IS SERIOUS
NHTSA complaint #11217545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesFrisco, TXCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 6/3/2019 AT 12 NOON, IT HAS SUDDEN RUNAWAY ACCELERATION. WE HAD STOPPED ON THE CURB OUTSIDE OUR HOME AND THEN STARTED DRIVING SLOWLY IN EV MODE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT ACCELERATED HARD BY ITSELF, HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN HIT THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE AFTER GOING OVER SOME SHRUBBERY. THERE WAS NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKES; IT ALL HAPPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CLEARLY UNINTENDED RUNAWAY ACCELERATION, AND THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. THIS IS SERIOUS
NHTSA complaint #11217545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Calabasas, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I had new brakes put on my car and a few months later, while I was driving, the brakes completely stopped working. There was no warning and I ended up going through a red light because I couldn't stop. I was lucky to be in a residential area where I could pull over to the side and be towed to the brake shop. They checked it out, and said there was a code that showed a Lexus issue. We took it to the Lexus service at Woodland Hills Lexus. They drove it and nothing happened, but finally with a lot of nagging on my part, they did a diagnostic (charging me $486.74 for this) and found a problem. Based on what my service person told me, there was a letter sent out to Lexus dealerships saying this was a problem, but they weren't doing a recall. How can they be allowed to ignore a brake problem ? I would like to buy another Lexus (I have already had 3), but I am concerned they are not forthcoming about safety issues. I have emailed their headquarters regarding this, but have not heard back.
NHTSA complaint #11489410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesFrisco, TXCrash
POWER TRAIN
ON 6/3/2019 AT 12 NOON, IT HAS SUDDEN RUNAWAY ACCELERATION. WE HAD STOPPED ON THE CURB OUTSIDE OUR HOME AND THEN STARTED DRIVING SLOWLY IN EV MODE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT ACCELERATED HARD BY ITSELF, HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN HIT THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE AFTER GOING OVER SOME SHRUBBERY. THERE WAS NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKES; IT ALL HAPPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CLEARLY UNINTENDED RUNAWAY ACCELERATION, AND THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. THIS IS SERIOUS
NHTSA complaint #11217545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesFrisco, TXCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 6/3/2019 AT 12 NOON, IT HAS SUDDEN RUNAWAY ACCELERATION. WE HAD STOPPED ON THE CURB OUTSIDE OUR HOME AND THEN STARTED DRIVING SLOWLY IN EV MODE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT ACCELERATED HARD BY ITSELF, HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN HIT THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE AFTER GOING OVER SOME SHRUBBERY. THERE WAS NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKES; IT ALL HAPPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CLEARLY UNINTENDED RUNAWAY ACCELERATION, AND THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. THIS IS SERIOUS
NHTSA complaint #11217545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,916 milesOoltewah, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR SHAKES
NHTSA complaint #11174417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesNorth Oaks, MN
POWER TRAIN
THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND HAPPENED ON 4/22/2016 AT ABOUT 1PM. I WAS IN EV MODE, DRIVING TO PARK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SHIFTED TO "GAS" AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. I WAS ABLE TO STOMP ON THE BREAKS AND STOPPED TO CAR ABOUT A FOOT BEFORE HITTING A CAR IN FRONT. AFTER MY DR APPOINTMENT AT 2PM, I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE LEXUS DEALER IN MAPLEWOOD, MN AND EXCHANGED IT FOR ANOTHER CAR. THIS 300H IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. THIRD INCIDENT IN THREE MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10861199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesNroth Oaks, MN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 5MPG WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. CAR WAS IN EV MODE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED; STEPPED REALLY HARD ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED ABOUT 2-3 INCHES BEFORE THE SIGN. 04/11/2016.
NHTSA complaint #10859801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesLewisville, TX
POWER TRAIN
MY BRAND NEW ES300H SHOWS DIFFERENT MILAUGE CAPACITY EACH TIME I FILL THE TANK. WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IT SHOWED THE DRIVING RANGE OF 675 MILES WITH FULL TANK. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DROPPING BY 20 TO 30 MILES EACH TIME I FILL IT UP. NOW I WILL BE LUCKY IF I CAN GET EVEN 500 MILES RANGE. I SHOWED IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN DALLAS, TEXAS AREA. THEY BOTH CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS ADJUSTING TO MY DRIVING STYLE (THAT INDIRECTLY MEANS I AM A BAD DRIVER). IT HAS BEEN 3.5 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND IT IS STILL DROPPING. CAN DRIVING STYLE MAKE THAT BIG A DIFFERENCE (NEARLY 200 MILES LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL RANGE INDICATED)? I DON'T THINK SO AND I BELIEVE THAT DEALERS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY ENGINE/ HYBRID SYSTEM. BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10789344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesLewisville, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY BRAND NEW ES300H SHOWS DIFFERENT MILAUGE CAPACITY EACH TIME I FILL THE TANK. WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IT SHOWED THE DRIVING RANGE OF 675 MILES WITH FULL TANK. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DROPPING BY 20 TO 30 MILES EACH TIME I FILL IT UP. NOW I WILL BE LUCKY IF I CAN GET EVEN 500 MILES RANGE. I SHOWED IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN DALLAS, TEXAS AREA. THEY BOTH CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS ADJUSTING TO MY DRIVING STYLE (THAT INDIRECTLY MEANS I AM A BAD DRIVER). IT HAS BEEN 3.5 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND IT IS STILL DROPPING. CAN DRIVING STYLE MAKE THAT BIG A DIFFERENCE (NEARLY 200 MILES LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL RANGE INDICATED)? I DON'T THINK SO AND I BELIEVE THAT DEALERS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY ENGINE/ HYBRID SYSTEM. BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10789344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesLewisville, TX
EQUIPMENT
MY BRAND NEW ES300H SHOWS DIFFERENT MILAUGE CAPACITY EACH TIME I FILL THE TANK. WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IT SHOWED THE DRIVING RANGE OF 675 MILES WITH FULL TANK. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DROPPING BY 20 TO 30 MILES EACH TIME I FILL IT UP. NOW I WILL BE LUCKY IF I CAN GET EVEN 500 MILES RANGE. I SHOWED IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN DALLAS, TEXAS AREA. THEY BOTH CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS ADJUSTING TO MY DRIVING STYLE (THAT INDIRECTLY MEANS I AM A BAD DRIVER). IT HAS BEEN 3.5 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND IT IS STILL DROPPING. CAN DRIVING STYLE MAKE THAT BIG A DIFFERENCE (NEARLY 200 MILES LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL RANGE INDICATED)? I DON'T THINK SO AND I BELIEVE THAT DEALERS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY ENGINE/ HYBRID SYSTEM. BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10789344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesLewisville, TX
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY BRAND NEW ES300H SHOWS DIFFERENT MILAUGE CAPACITY EACH TIME I FILL THE TANK. WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IT SHOWED THE DRIVING RANGE OF 675 MILES WITH FULL TANK. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DROPPING BY 20 TO 30 MILES EACH TIME I FILL IT UP. NOW I WILL BE LUCKY IF I CAN GET EVEN 500 MILES RANGE. I SHOWED IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN DALLAS, TEXAS AREA. THEY BOTH CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS ADJUSTING TO MY DRIVING STYLE (THAT INDIRECTLY MEANS I AM A BAD DRIVER). IT HAS BEEN 3.5 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND IT IS STILL DROPPING. CAN DRIVING STYLE MAKE THAT BIG A DIFFERENCE (NEARLY 200 MILES LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL RANGE INDICATED)? I DON'T THINK SO AND I BELIEVE THAT DEALERS THEMSELVES DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY ENGINE/ HYBRID SYSTEM. BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10789344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.