Research · Midsize Cars

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.

Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
7
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Lexus ES300H as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2016 – Oct 2021
  1. Service brakes4
  2. Vehicle speed control1
  3. Engine1
  4. Power train1
  5. Steering1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Air bags1
  8. Other / unknown2

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

4 reports1 crash
“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!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2021Service brakesODI 11436189

Vehicle speed control

1 report
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2019Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11209302

Engine

1 report
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2018Unknown or other, EngineODI 11129222
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 Oct 28, 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$1,600223
  • ES 300h
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    40 city · 39 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 10092
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

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.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026