What is the 2013-2019 Lexus ES Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation?

The ES300h hybrid battery pack experiences capacity degradation over time, particularly in hot climates where thermal cycling accelerates cell deterioration. Owners report reduced fuel economy, inability to maintain EV mode, and eventually a hybrid system warning light. The NiMH… Repairs typically run $1,500-$5,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2007-2012 Lexus ES XV40 ES 350: Takata Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Rupture on Deployment?

The 2007-2012 ES 350 carries a Takata front passenger airbag inflator whose ammonium-nitrate propellant degrades after long exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling. A degraded inflator can over-pressurize and burst its metal housing during a crash, spraying fragments in… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 1997-2002 Lexus ES XV20 ES 300 (1MZ-FE): Engine Oil Sludge / Gelation Blocking Oil Passages?

The 3.0L 1MZ-FE V6 in the 1997-2002 ES 300 is one of the core engines in Toyota's oil-gelation controversy. A combination of crankcase ventilation design and a 7,500-mile service interval let oil oxidize into a thick sludge that coats the valve covers and plugs the oil pickup scr… Repairs typically run $600-$5,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2019-2020 Lexus ES XZ10 ES: Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stalls the Engine?

The 2019 ES 350 (and other 2019 Lexus models) were recalled under NHTSA campaign 20V012 for a Denso-supplied low-pressure in-tank fuel pump. The impeller was molded from a lower-density resin that absorbs fuel, swells, deforms, and binds against the pump housing. The result is a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2007-2017 Lexus ES Excessive Oil Consumption 2GR-FE Engine?

The 3.5L 2GR-FE V6 in the ES350 consumes excessive oil between changes, often burning 1 quart every 1,500-2,500 miles. The root cause is typically worn piston rings that allow oil past the ring lands into the combustion chamber. Toyota/Lexus issued a TSB acknowledging the issue a… Repairs typically run $300-$4,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2007-2012 Lexus ES Dashboard Melting and Sticky Surface?

Lexus programs ZLD and ZLZ document cracked and/or sticky dashboard surfaces caused over time by heat, humidity and, in ZLZ, light intensity on covered ES 350 vehicles. ZLD covers certain 2007-2008 vehicles and ZLZ covers certain 2008-2012 vehicles, preserving the page’s 2007-201… Severity: medium.

What is the 2023-2025 Lexus ES Panoramic View Monitor Rearview Camera Freezes or Goes Blank in Reverse (Recall 25V744000)?

Lexus ES sedans built for the 2023-2025 model years and equipped with the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system are covered by NHTSA recall 25V744000. Toyota reports a software error that can cause the ES rearview camera to freeze on a stale image or show a blank screen when the ca… Severity: medium.

What is the 2007-2012 Lexus ES XV40 ES 350: A/C Evaporator Core Leaks and Slow Loss of Cooling?

Lexus technicians and owners report that high-mileage 2007-2012 ES 350s commonly lose refrigerant through a leaking evaporator core buried in the HVAC case behind the dash. The symptom is gradual: air that is cool but not cold, worse in traffic, and a system that cools again brie… Repairs typically run $400-$2,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 1997-2003 Lexus ES XV20/XV30 ES (1MZ-FE): Knock Sensor Sub-Harness Chafes and Sets P0325 / P0330?

On the 1MZ-FE V6 the two knock sensors sit in the valley between the cylinder heads, and their sub-harness bakes there under the intake manifold. The wire insulation hardens and chafes, shorting the signal wire to ground and setting P0325 (knock sensor 1 circuit) and/or P0330 (kn… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2007-2009 Lexus ES XV40 ES 350: U660E 6-Speed Automatic 3-4 Shift Flare and Delayed Engagement?

The U660E six-speed automatic introduced on the 2007 ES 350 has a well-documented shift flare: on the first upshifts after a cold soak the engine speed rises 300-700 rpm before the gear engages, most commonly on the 3-4 upshift but also reported on 2-3, 4-5, and the 5-4 downshift… Repairs typically run $150-$4,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2013-2018 Lexus ES XV60 ES 350: Water Pump Bearing Failure Mistaken for a Serpentine Belt Squeal?

On the otherwise very reliable 2013-2018 ES 350 (2GR-FE), the engine-driven water pump is the standout mechanical failure. The bearing and seal wear, producing a squeal or chirp that is loudest on a cold start and a slow coolant weep from the pump's telltale hole. Owners on ClubL… Repairs typically run $500-$1,600. Severity: medium.

What is the 2007-2010 Lexus ES XV40 ES 350 (2GR-FE): Front Timing Chain Cover Oil Leak (FIPG Seal Failure)?

The 2GR-FE V6 seals its front timing chain cover to the block and heads with a formed-in-place sealant (FIPG) rather than a conventional gasket. On early 2007-2009 engines the seal breaks down and weeps oil from the front of the engine, dripping onto the subframe, front control a… Repairs typically run $2,400-$4,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2019-2025 Lexus ES Brake Actuator Buzzing and Grinding Noise?

The electronic brake actuator on the 2019+ ES produces a noticeable buzzing or grinding noise during low-speed braking and when the brake hold function is engaged. The noise comes from the ABS actuator cycling at low speeds and is a design characteristic of the brake-by-wire syst… Severity: low.

Lexus · Known Issues

1997-2025 Lexus ES Problems: 16 Known Issues

1997-2025 model years · 7,200+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 7,200+ owner reports, the 1997-2025 Lexus ES has 16 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation ($1,500-$5,000 repair), XV40 ES 350 (2GR-FE): Rubber VVT-i Oil Hose Ruptures Causing Sudden Total Oil Loss ($150-$6,000 repair), XV40 ES 350: Takata Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Rupture on Deployment ($0-$0 repair), XV40 ES 350: Accelerator Pedal Entrapment by Floor Mat (Unintended Acceleration) ($0-$0 repair), XV20 ES 300 (1MZ-FE): Engine Oil Sludge / Gelation Blocking Oil Passages ($600-$5,500 repair), XV20/XV30 ES 300 and ES 330: U140E Automatic Transmission Slipping and Hesitation ($400-$4,000 repair) and XZ10 ES: Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stalls the Engine ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Excessive Oil Consumption 2GR-FE Engine with 3,200 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $6,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lexus ES problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 7,200+ owner reports, the 1997-2025 Lexus ES has 16 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation, XV40 ES 350 (2GR-FE): Rubber VVT-i Oil Hose Ruptures Causing Sudden Total Oil Loss, XV40 ES 350: Takata Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Rupture on Deployment. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Lexus ES reliable?

The 1997-2025 Lexus ES has 16 known issues documented across 7,200+ owner reports. 7 issues are rated critical: Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation and XV40 ES 350 (2GR-FE): Rubber VVT-i Oil Hose Ruptures Causing Sudden Total Oil Loss and XV40 ES 350: Takata Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Rupture on Deployment and XV40 ES 350: Accelerator Pedal Entrapment by Floor Mat (Unintended Acceleration) and XV20 ES 300 (1MZ-FE): Engine Oil Sludge / Gelation Blocking Oil Passages and XV20/XV30 ES 300 and ES 330: U140E Automatic Transmission Slipping and Hesitation and XZ10 ES: Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stalls the Engine. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Lexus ES problems?

Repair costs for known Lexus ES issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation, typically costs $1,500-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Lexus ES is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Lexus ES. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1997-2025 Lexus ES with 16 documented issues documented across 7,200+ owner reports.

All 16 Known Issues

Other Lexus Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lexus ES problems?

Is the Lexus ES reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Lexus ES problems?

What year Lexus ES is the most reliable?

XV40 ES 350 (2GR-FE): Rubber VVT-i Oil Hose Ruptures Causing Sudden Total Oil Loss#

XV20 ES 300 (1MZ-FE): Engine Oil Sludge / Gelation Blocking Oil Passages#

Excessive Oil Consumption 2GR-FE Engine#

XV20/XV30 ES (1MZ-FE): Knock Sensor Sub-Harness Chafes and Sets P0325 / P0330#

XV40 ES 350 (2GR-FE): Front Timing Chain Cover Oil Leak (FIPG Seal Failure)#

XV40 ES 350: Takata Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Rupture on Deployment#

XV40 ES 350: Accelerator Pedal Entrapment by Floor Mat (Unintended Acceleration)#

Panoramic View Monitor Rearview Camera Freezes or Goes Blank in Reverse (Recall 25V744000)#

XV20/XV30 ES 300 and ES 330: U140E Automatic Transmission Slipping and Hesitation#

XV40 ES 350: U660E 6-Speed Automatic 3-4 Shift Flare and Delayed Engagement#

Hybrid Battery Pack Degradation#

XZ10 ES: Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Stalls the Engine#

Dashboard Melting and Sticky Surface#

XV40 ES 350: A/C Evaporator Core Leaks and Slow Loss of Cooling#

XV60 ES 350: Water Pump Bearing Failure Mistaken for a Serpentine Belt Squeal#

Brake Actuator Buzzing and Grinding Noise#