Is the 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID reliable?

The 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID has 12 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID?

Top problems: BRAKES (4 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Lexus ES HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 12. The most common issue is brakes problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: 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 a.

4 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

4 complaints

33%

• 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 A
• 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 ITS FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE PUMP. NO RECALLS FOUND FOR 2016 BUT SAME ISSUE AND RECALL FOUND IN 2019 ES300H. I
• I ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY BRAKING ON ELEVATED HIGHWAY DURING SNOWY CONDITIONS. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH. PRESSED FIRMLY ON BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTHING. NOTHING. BEGAN PUMPING ON BRAKES AND STILL NOTHING. STEERED CAR AWAY FROM BRAKING VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME AND VEERED CAR INTO MEDIAN WALL TO AVOID

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID

Based on 11 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 8K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Lexus ES HYBRID

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus ES HYBRID Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2016 ES HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 12 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: 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 A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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 CO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PRE COLLISION AND LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST FAILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO MED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PRE COLLISION AND LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST FAILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO MED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)