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2016 Lexus ES 300h
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
7 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 15, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 7 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2016 Lexus ES300H 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Lexus ES 300h, plotted where owners report it happening.
Brakes
57%4 complaints
“A DELAY/SLIPPAGE IS OCCURRING NOT FROM BRAKES BUT WITHIN THE PEDAL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN APPLY HARD STOP., CHANGED BRAKES AND ROTORS BUT NOISE STILL OCCURRING I BELIEVE …”
Speed control
14%1 complaints
“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 LE…”
Engine
14%1 complaints
“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…”
Transmission & drivetrain
14%1 complaints
“WHILE PLACING THE STICK SHIFT IN APPROPRIATE POSITION, THE TOP OF THE SHIFT KNOW BEGAN TO SPIN AROUND, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE GRIP OF STICK. THIS OCCURRED INITIALLY WI…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Lexus ES 300H beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every ES 300h model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Lexus ES 300h against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.