Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Lexus ES300H problems
Owners filed 5 complaints about the 2018 Lexus ES300H with NHTSA between Apr 2018 and Jan 2020. The most-cited component is air bags (1).
Complaints
5
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags1
- Exterior lighting1
- Engine1
- Seat belts1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
1 report1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, UNABLE TO SEE VERY WELL DURING NIGHT TIME, THE CONTACT WENT OFF THE PAVEMENT AND ONTO THE GRASS. THE CONTACT WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GUARDRAIL AND REALIZED HE WAS OFF THE ROAD THEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE GRASS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JAMMED INWARD TO THE DASHBOARD CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENCOUNTER HIS CHEST. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG UNINFLATED RAPIDLY AFTER DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN DUE TO BEING JAMMED FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE 'INFORM DEVICE' NOTIFIED AUTHORITIES THAT THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT WIGGLED UNTIL HE WAS RELEASED. A PASSER BY STOPPED TO ASSIST AND OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE EMS AND THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE CONTACTS CHEST PAIN, TWO BLOOD PRESSURE EXAMS, AND ECHOCARDIOGRAM ON THE SCENE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CONTACT SOUGHT FURTHER MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A HOSPITAL WHERE HE…”
Exterior lighting
1 report
“WHEN DRIVING THE LOW BEAMS ON MY LEXUS ES 300H ILLUMINATE A MAXIMUM 4 DIVIDING LINES ON A ROAD AND THAT'S EQUAL TO 120 FEET. MY AUTO HIGH BEAMS COME ON FREQUENTLY AS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT ARE VERY LIMITED . I HAVE A 2019 CAMRY AND THOSE LIGHTS WHICH ARE SIMILAR ILLUMINATE AT LEAST 200 FEET AND AT LEAST 8 DIVIDING LINES. MY DEALER CHECKED AND STATED THEY ARE CORRECT.”
Engine
1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 LEXUS ES300H. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ITCHING OF THE FACE, COUGHING, AND THROAT COMPLICATIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER (LEXUS OF SERRAMONTE, 700 SERRAMONTE BLVD, COLMA, CALIFORNIA 94014) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80.”
Seat belts
1 report
“I WAS TOLD BY A CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT THROUGH EMAIL THAT "THE LATCH SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR REAR FACING CHILD SEATS." THIS IS COMPLETELY SHOCKING TO ME AS THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS IN THE MANUAL THAT THIS IS THE CASE. WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH OUR DAUGHTER FOR MONTHS USING THE LATCH SYSTEM FOR HER REAR FACING CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY ENOUGH TO INSTALL WITH THE SEAT BELT INSTEAD.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.