10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,779 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Lexus ES 300h engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Lexus ES 300h Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 092018

ES 300h

  • 45,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 082017

ES 300h

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Chehalis, WA, USA

problem #5

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 #4

Dec 212016

ES 300h

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Howell, MI, 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

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