2016 Lexus ES300HRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2016 Lexus ES300H. Most complaints involve service brakes (4) and vehicle speed control (1). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Service brakes4
- Vehicle speed control1
- Engine1
- Power train1
- Steering1
- Electrical system1
- Air bags1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Service brakes
“The vehicle started experiencing the vaccum leak in the master brake cylinder/actuator/booster where the booster pump would run continually every 15 seconds causing the danger to brake failure. Dealer was contacted but refused to help. Eventhough toyota prius hybrids and newer and some other toyota that share the same design brake booster and master cylinder has been recalled previously. It is common failing component but dealer does not provide any assistance leaving vehicle owners pay thousands to replace abs brake components and bleed the system. Need your help!”
Vehicle speed control
“APRIL 26, 2019 WAS DRIVING WITH FAMILY OUR 2016 LEXUS ES300H ON I-44 WEST, HEADING INTO JOPLIN, MO. THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET TO 75 MPH, AND I WAS DRIVING IN LEFTMOST PASSING LANE BEHIND A CAR GOING ABOUT 65 MPH, WHICH KEPT MY SPEED ALSO AT 65 MPH. THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME MOVED TO AN OPEN LANE TO THE RIGHT, WITH CLEAR PATH IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE TO ALLOW ACCELERATION UP TO 75 MPH. NOTE: IT WAS A CLEAR DAY, SLIGHTLY CLOUDY, ROAD WAS FLAT, NO CURVES. INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY INSTEAD APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NOT RESPONSIVE TO ANYTHING I DID TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN SPEED, WITH VEHICLE QUICKLY COMING TO A STOP AS I MOVED INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN AREA SEPARATING THE FREEWAY BEFORE CAR DIED IN THE PASSING LANE. COLLISIONS WAS BARELY AVOIDED AS PICKUP TRUCK BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND VEERED INTO MEDIAN GRASS TO AVOID HITTING ME OR GETTING REAR ENDED THEMSELVES FROM BEHIND. MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP EVEN THOUGH ENTIRE TIME I HAD ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED. ONCE STOPPED I EXITED THE CAR, TALKED TO THE OTHER DRIVER, WHO INFORMED ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON DURING THE ENTIRE INCIDENT. I WENT BACK TO THE CAR WHICH…”
Engine
“I HAVE A LEXUS 300 ES HYBRID THAT ADVERTISES 39/40 MPG. I HAVE BEEN GETTING IN THE UPPER 28-31 MPG FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS NOW .WHEN I FIRST RECEIVED THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST MONTH I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS GAS MILEAGE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BREAK IN FOR 500 MILES. AFTER THAT I CONTACTED LEXUS AGAIN, THEY SAID THE CAR NEEDED A 2000 MILE BREAK IN . I KEEP GETTING MORE AND MORE EXCUSES AND THE RUN AROUND. THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY DRIVING HABIT. I HAVE A CLASS A COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING BIG RIGS FOR OVER 15 YEARS . I NOW HOW TO DRIVE AND I HAVE A VERY GOOD DRIVING RECORD WITH NO INCIDENTS TO DATE. SO THAT EXCUSE WAS ANOTHER PASS-THE-BUCK ROUTINE FROM LEXUS. I LET THIS GO FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, SINCE I WAS DISCOURAGED AND VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM LEXUS. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH TO UNDERSTAND. I HAD A LEXUS 200 CT PRE PAID LEASE THAT GAVE ME VERY GOOD MPG. I WANTED A LARGER VEHICLE SO AFTER SEEING THE MARONEY 39/40 MPG BOASTED ON THE LEXUS 300 ES HYBRID AND ON MANY NATIONAL ADVERTISEMENTS, I DECIDED TO TURN MY CT 200 IN SIX MONTHS EARLY AT A $2000 PRE PAYMENT LOSS TO ME. THIS…”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300h Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 40 | 39 | 40 | $1,600 | 223 |
- 40mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 4 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 11.1%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
2016 ES300H questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus ES300H have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2016 Lexus ES300H problems?
Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (4), vehicle speed control (1), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Lexus ES300H get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus ES300H at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2016 Lexus ES300H?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lexus ES300H 5 out of 5 stars overall.