Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2023 Lexus ES with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 14 of 17 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 — 13
Against the median year of the Lexus ES. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
41.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2023 Lexus ES
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 67,995 mi
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Wheels
18.3%
Tires
18.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 32,186 mi
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 2022peak 3Jul 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 32,186 milesBelmont, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300h. The contact stated that while sitting idle with the engine powered off in a local parking lot, the vehicle suddenly began to roll back independently into the nearby underground garage and crashed into the rear end of another parked vehicle's front passenger-side bumper that was unoccupied. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that a 3rd party inspector investigated the failure; however, the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,186.
NHTSA complaint #11724137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duncanville, TXCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that upon coasting into a parking space, the contact tapped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. In an effort to avoid hitting the building, the contact steered the vehicle to the left, away from the building; as a result, the contact drove into some hedges. The contact's foot was on the brake pedal throughout the failure, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction, Visit your Dealer" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy, and no injuries were reported. The police were not called to the scene, and a police report was not filed. The building's hedges were destroyed, and paint marks were left on the side of the building as a result of the vehicle scraping the building. Despite the failure, the contact managed to regain control of the vehicle and drove home. The next day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it remained in their possession; the vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11697669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duncanville, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that upon coasting into a parking space, the contact tapped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. In an effort to avoid hitting the building, the contact steered the vehicle to the left, away from the building; as a result, the contact drove into some hedges. The contact's foot was on the brake pedal throughout the failure, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction, Visit your Dealer" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy, and no injuries were reported. The police were not called to the scene, and a police report was not filed. The building's hedges were destroyed, and paint marks were left on the side of the building as a result of the vehicle scraping the building. Despite the failure, the contact managed to regain control of the vehicle and drove home. The next day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it remained in their possession; the vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11697669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nicholasville, KYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in neutral, no response, then rear left corner of my vehicle rammed into a concrete pillar/metal window frame. I then turned the vehicle off, restarted and drove away. I did not put my foot on accelerator to cause the rapid engine acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11562632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in neutral, no response, then rear left corner of my vehicle rammed into a concrete pillar/metal window frame. I then turned the vehicle off, restarted and drove away. I did not put my foot on accelerator to cause the rapid engine acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11562632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Calabasas, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The “maintenance required” warning light came on. The Lexus dealer indicated that a tire rotation was required at a cost of approximately $100. We had the tires rotated at a tire store at a cost of zero ($.00). The Lexus dealer service department refused to turn off the “maintenance required” warning, safety light because that dealer did not perform the tire rotation. If there is something wrong with the car, we won’t receive that vital information until the warning light has been reset. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. Apparently, only a Lexus dealer’s service department can reset the warning safety light and there is an inspection fee charged for them to reset the warning safety light because the dealership didn’t perform the tire rotation. This policy was not disclosed to us when the vehicle was purchased. This was NOT the policy with regard to the Lexus vehicles we previously purchased. To me, this is extortion attributable to corporate greed and a disregard for consumer safety. This is the policy of each and every local Lexus dealership I have contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11753602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Snellville, GA
WHEELS
The car was taken into Lexus under warranty January 2026. There a loud noise coming from the car when it is going down the road. Lexus tried to say it must be the tires. The car was under 3 years old. I replaced the front tires any way. There cars noise even louder and it was not fixed. I feel the car is un-safe. The car currently has 40,000 miles. I simply wanted the car fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11750663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,186 milesBelmont, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300h. The contact stated that while sitting idle with the engine powered off in a local parking lot, the vehicle suddenly began to roll back independently into the nearby underground garage and crashed into the rear end of another parked vehicle's front passenger-side bumper that was unoccupied. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that a 3rd party inspector investigated the failure; however, the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,186.
NHTSA complaint #11724137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,995 milesCrown Point, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stalled. During the failure, the vehicle lost power brakes and power steering functionality, with the messages "High Power Consumption Temporarily Limited", "Braking Temporarily Disabled", and "Power Steering Temporarily Disabled" displayed. The contact was able to safely park the vehicle. The vehicle was later jump-started, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was jump-started a second time and driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the alternator had failed due to several electrical charging ports being used at the same time. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,995.
NHTSA complaint #11718537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CA
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
While driving on the highway, whenever you approach an exit or an intersecting part of a highway, the lane keep assist will jerk hard towards that exit or towards the direction of the nonexistent line on the right or left side of the lane. Weather that line of that lane has faded out or is part of a type of highway intersection. Since the car drifts in between lines of that lane (while in LANE KEEP ASSIST LKA), it is hard to tell initially what the car is trying to do. Then it pulls hard to the right or the left, depending on where that line has disappeared. While there’s always at least one full line of that lane visible. I’ve already almost been in several car accidents since I got this car last April. Also I am driving a 2025 Toyota Corolla and I’m having the same exact problems. This is unsafe for everyone.
NHTSA complaint #11698670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duncanville, TXCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that upon coasting into a parking space, the contact tapped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. In an effort to avoid hitting the building, the contact steered the vehicle to the left, away from the building; as a result, the contact drove into some hedges. The contact's foot was on the brake pedal throughout the failure, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction, Visit your Dealer" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy, and no injuries were reported. The police were not called to the scene, and a police report was not filed. The building's hedges were destroyed, and paint marks were left on the side of the building as a result of the vehicle scraping the building. Despite the failure, the contact managed to regain control of the vehicle and drove home. The next day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it remained in their possession; the vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11697669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duncanville, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that upon coasting into a parking space, the contact tapped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. In an effort to avoid hitting the building, the contact steered the vehicle to the left, away from the building; as a result, the contact drove into some hedges. The contact's foot was on the brake pedal throughout the failure, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction, Visit your Dealer" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy, and no injuries were reported. The police were not called to the scene, and a police report was not filed. The building's hedges were destroyed, and paint marks were left on the side of the building as a result of the vehicle scraping the building. Despite the failure, the contact managed to regain control of the vehicle and drove home. The next day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it remained in their possession; the vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11697669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpine, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR STOPED WARNING LIGHTS REPAIRED TOLD FUEL PUMP DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE AND FUEL SENSORY REPLACED ALSO CAT CONVERED BROKEN REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #11592612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Key West, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
The ES model and LS, the brakes squeak while ONLY going in reverse at a slow speed. I asked the mechanic at the Lexus dealership and they responded that this was common with the newer models. This is a manufacturer defect. Very embarrassing while backing up.
NHTSA complaint #11579911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nicholasville, KYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in neutral, no response, then rear left corner of my vehicle rammed into a concrete pillar/metal window frame. I then turned the vehicle off, restarted and drove away. I did not put my foot on accelerator to cause the rapid engine acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11562632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in neutral, no response, then rear left corner of my vehicle rammed into a concrete pillar/metal window frame. I then turned the vehicle off, restarted and drove away. I did not put my foot on accelerator to cause the rapid engine acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11562632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oviedo, FL
TIRES
2023 Lexus ES300h with 1360 miles had rear passenger side tire blowout which ripped off the fender liner although fender liner ripped off first and flew off of car and less than two minutes later the TPMS alerted driver of low tire pressure. Tire is a Bridgestone Turanza EL440 235/45R18 94V. No foreign body was hit to cause this blowout. Happened at a speed of about 35 - 40 mph while accelerating. Driver inspected bolts and nuts on driver rear side to prevent this from repeating on the unaffected side and found nuts were not hand tightened completely. Walmart Tire Center and Discount Tire found a slash on interior side wall of tire. Lexus dealer did not honor warranty for tire or fender liner. Driver had to pay out of pocket for repair.
NHTSA complaint #11494236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.