RoadVitals

2015 Lexus ES Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Oct 15, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 3, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Lexus ES Hybrid, most frequently naming the fuel system, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 191 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system337.5%
  • Powertrain (other)337.5%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V728000

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING

Nov 3, 2015
30,812 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
The risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number F1V, F2EView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

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 March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2022

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 ID
11489410
Incident
Apr 5, 2022
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 3, 2019
Crash reported

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 ID
11217545
Incident
Jun 3, 2019
Mileage
55,000 mi
Filed Feb 5, 2019

CAR SHAKES

NHTSA ID
11174417
Incident
Dec 29, 2018
Mileage
39,916 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 25, 2016

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 ID
10861199
Incident
Apr 22, 2016
Mileage
8,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2016

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 ID
10859801
Incident
Apr 11, 2016
Mileage
8,000 mi
Fuel systemOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2015

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 ID
10789344
Incident
Aug 2, 2015
Mileage
500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0043-23 Rev1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus ES Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025010—
2024020—
2023020—
2022311—
2021211—
2020121—
2019111—
2018501—
2017101—
2016701—
2015Viewing611—
2014101155.1
2013811—
2012000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.