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Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Lexus ES300HRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints for the 2015 Lexus ES300H. Most complaints involve power train (3) and fuel/propulsion system (2). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2015
Owner complaints
6
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

Free remedy

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.

Forward collision avoidanceReported Nov 3, 2015NHTSA 15V728000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2015 – Oct 2022
  1. Power train3
  2. Fuel/propulsion system2
  3. Service brakes1
  4. Fuel system, gasoline1
  5. Equipment1
  6. Hybrid propulsion system1
  7. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ES300H model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201340
201414
20156
20167
20171
20185
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

3 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2019Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11217545

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2016Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10859801

Service brakes

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2022Service brakesODI 11489410
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 300h
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
403940$1,550223
  • ES 300h
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    40 city · 39 hwy · $1,550/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lexus ES300H 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 9113
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 ES300H questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Lexus ES300H have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Lexus ES300H problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), fuel/propulsion system (2), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Lexus ES300H get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Lexus ES300H at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2015 Lexus ES300H?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Lexus ES300H 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026