2014 Lexus Es300h problems
The Lexus ES (Japanese: レクサス・ES, Hepburn: Rekusasu ES) is a series of mid-size executive cars marketed since 1989 by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, across multiple generations, each offering V6 engines and a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. The first five generations of the ES used the Toyota Camry platform, while the latter generations are more closely related to both the Camry and the Avalon. Manual transmissions were offered until 1993, a lower-displacement inline-four engine became an option in Asian markets in 2010, and a gasoline-electric hybrid version was introduced in 2012. The ES was Lexus's only front-wheel drive vehicle until 1998, when the related RX was introduced, and the sedan occupied the entry-level luxury car segment of the Lexus lineup in North America and other regions until the debut of the IS in 1999. The ES name stands for "Executive Sedan". However, some Lexus importers use the name, "Elegant Sedan".
Introduced in 1989, the first generation ES 250 was one of two vehicles in Lexus's debut range, along with the LS 400. The second generation ES 300 debuted in 1991, followed by the third generation ES 300 in 1996, and the fourth generation ES 300/330 in 2001. The first- through fourth generation sedans shared body styling elements with Japan-market Toyota sedans, and a domestic market equivalent, the Toyota Windom (Japanese: トヨタ・ウィンダム, Toyota Windamu), was sold until the launch of the fifth generation ES in 2006. The word "Windom" is a combination of "win" and the suffix "dom" expresses a state of perpetual victory. The fifth generation ES used body styling marketed by Lexus as L-finesse and debuted in early 2006 as a 2007 model. The sixth generation ES debuted in the first half of 2012 as a 2013 model, and features increased cabin dimensions due to a longer wheelbase which is shared with the full-size XX40 series Avalon.
Lexus has positioned the ES in the comfort luxury segment, with an emphasis on interior amenities, quietness, and ride quality, in contrast with more firm-riding sport sedans. Buyers seeking more performance-focused models are targeted by the Lexus IS and rival makes, with such models offering a sportier drive with differently tuned suspensions. In Europe, Japan and other markets where it was not available until the seventh generation model, the GS sport sedans occupy the mid-size category in the Lexus lineup until it was cancelled August 2020. In the United States, the ES has been the best-selling Lexus sedan for over fifteen years.
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Common 2014 Lexus Es300h problems
The 2014 Lexus ES300h has been reported to have a few common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are the details of these issues:
- Infotainment system: Some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system, including problems with audio, GPS, phone, rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, and head-up display. These issues can be frustrating for drivers, as they may affect the overall driving experience.
- Steering and suspension: Owners have reported problems with shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, and electronic or air suspension. These issues can affect the car's handling and ride comfort.
- Noises and leaks: Some owners have reported noises and leaks, including squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks, and muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks. These issues can be distracting and may indicate more significant problems with the car's systems.
- Climate system: Owners have reported issues with the climate system, including the AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, and refrigerant leakage. These issues can affect the car's ability to maintain a comfortable temperature, which can be a significant problem in extreme weather conditions.
- Engine: Some owners have reported engine problems, including engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt, alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start, accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, and oil leaks. These issues can affect the car's performance and fuel efficiency.
- Exterior: Owners have reported issues with the car's exterior, including paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, and rust. These issues can affect the car's appearance and may indicate more significant problems with the car's construction.
- Transmission: Some owners have reported transmission problems, including transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement, and gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, and leaks. These issues can affect the car's drivability and may indicate more significant problems with the car's powertrain.
- Windows, locks, and latches: Owners have reported issues with windows, locks, and latches, including sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank, and windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, and glass defect. These issues can affect the car's convenience and safety.
While these issues are common among 2014 Lexus ES300h owners, it is important to note that the car has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 3rd out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $524, which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is low while frequency of those issues is average, so major issues are uncommon for the ES300h.
Is the Lexus ES 300h reliable?
Lexus ES 300h reliability & problems
Just under 10% of owners reported a fault with their Lexus in the first year, which is around half as many as Volvo and Mercedes customers. The brand topped the survey for several years, but slipped to 10th place overall in 2021.
What are the best years for Lexus ES 300h?
The Best Model Years to Buy a Lexus ES 300h
With the 2019, you would only pay, on average, 67% of the price as new, with 75% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2022 and 2018 model years are also attractive years for the ES 300h, and provide a relatively good value.
Is Lexus ES 300h worth buying?
The Lexus ES 300h isn't exciting and doesn't boast the latest technology, but it doesn't need to because its top-notch comfort and efficient hybrid powertrain appeal to a wide variety of people. It also has a low price of entry for a large luxury hybrid sedan.
Is it expensive to maintain a Lexus ES 300h?
A Lexus ES 300h will cost about $5,662 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury sedan models by $6,299. There is also a 15.13% chance that an ES 300h will require a major repair during that time.
2014 Lexus Es300h car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lexus Es300h problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2014 Lexus Es300h vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2014 Lexus Es300h complaints
The NHTSA has received 14 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2014 Lexus Es300h.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-17
- VIN: JTHBW1GG8E2
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, 60MPH. FRIDAY JAN 17TH, 2020. 5PM. COLD OUT. HEAR LOUD SOUND LIKE GUN SHOT. STARTLED ME. THOUGHT TIRE BLEW SO PULLED TO SHOULDER ON HIGHWAY. TIRES WERE FINE AND WAS LIKE WHAT THE HECK. GOT BACK IN CAR STARTED TO GET BACK ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD NOISE ABOVE MY HEAD. LOOKED UP SLIDING DOOR TO SUNROOF VIBRATING. SLIDE OPEN A BIT AND SUNROOF GLASS WAS GONE. PULLED BACK OVER AND GOT OUT AND LOOKED. GLASS JUST EXPLODED AND BIG HOLE, SEE PICS. NOTHING FELL ON IT OR HIT IT. NEXT DAY SHOPPED VAC THE GLASS AND NOW WAITING TO GET FIXED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-29
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTHBW1GG5E2
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: THE CAR HAD A MIND OF IT'S OWN WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT A PARKING SPOT IT WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO PRESS DOWN THE BRAKE(LIKE THE ABS WAS FIGHTING ME) TO STOP BEFORE IT SHORTLY CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND THEN WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT TOOK OFF ON ME AND CRASHED/STOPPED INTO A FENCE AGAIN WOULDN'T PRESS DOWN THE BRAKE TO ALLOW ME TO STOP IT BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAILING/FENCE. I QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON BEFORE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE CRASH AND IT ACTED FINE AFTER THAT. MY DEDUCTIBLE SOME HOW WAS $2,500 SO I'VE YET TO FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICE SINCE THE ACCIDENT THE END OF OCTOBER OF 2018(TODAY'S DATE 7-9-2019) SINCE LEXUS WOULDN'T FOLLOW UP ON THIS WHEN I TRIED TO CONTACT THEM WHEN THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DEFAULT ON THIS CAR SINCE IT'S JUST DEAD WEIGHT AND I CAN'T USE IT AS I ATTENDED IT TO BE MY RIDE SHARE CAR(LYFT, UBER, TURO) TO HELP MAKE ENDS MEET WITH MY SINGLE INCOME SINGLE PARENTHOOD HOUSEHOLD.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-05-01
- Crash: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CPSC: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SMART RIDE DEVICE CAUSED THE LIGHTS ON HIS DASHBOARD TO MALFUNCTION (ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, ETC.). WHICH CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT IN HIS CAR. *DT *JS
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-21
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: JTHBW1GG0E2
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: MY CAR HAS SPOILER BUILD ON ITS TRUNK LID WHICH CAUSED THE TRUNK LID TO COME DOWN DURING MINOR WIND CAUSING SERIOUS BODY INJURY RESULTING IN MULTIPLE STICHES. FROM THE EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT LEXUS DID NOT LEAVE AIR VENT BETWEEN THE SPOILER AND SURFACE IF THE TRUNK LID CREATING AN AIR POCKET RESULTING IN SMASHING DOWN THE LID AT EXTREME HIGH SPEED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT AND I WAS FILLING THE TRUNK WITH PURCHASED GROCERIES. FROM THE AIRFLOW TEST WE PERFORMED IT WAS CLEAR THAT LEXUS DID NOT LEAVE AIR VENT TO PURGE THE AIR OUT, PROVIDE TRUNK LID MORE STABILITY TO STAY OPEN. ITS ALSO VISIBLE THE TRUNK LID HAS WEAK HINGES THAT HOLD THE LID UP WHEN OPEN AND MISSING SAFETY BARS. THE LID ITS SELF HAS SHARP EDGES WITH NO PROTECTIVE LINING, HENCE ACT LIKE A BLADE WHEN LID HITS ANY PERSON. LEXUS HAS INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND NO REPORT HAS BEEN SHARED TO ME TILL I FILE THIS COMPLAIN. I FEEL ITS DESIGN DEFECT. THE SPOILER WAS INSTALLED FOR GOOD REASON, HOWEVER LEXUS MAY NOT HAVE PERFORMED SAFETY TESTED WHEN THE TRUNK LID IS IN OPEN CONDITIONS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-29
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTHBW1GG5E2
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN REVERSE THE BRAKE WAS FIGHTING ME SO IT KEPT GOING INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR THEN WHEN I SHIFTED IT INTO DRIVE IT DID IT AGAIN AND NOW MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THE BRAKE IT COULDN'T OF STOPPED TILL IT RAN INTO A FENCE NOT FAR IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN IT HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR. I QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON THEN IT RESPONDED ACCORDLY THEN. IT WAS LIKE THE ABS WAS FIGHTING ME WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AND NOT ALLOWING ME BRAKE TO BE PRESSED TO SLOW/STOP THE CAR BOTH FIRST IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD TO PULL AWAY FROM THE CRASH.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-06-01
- VIN: JTHBW1GG3E2
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE AC SMELL STINKS . EVEN I REPLACED ALL AIR FILTERS. I HEARD TOYOTA CAMRY HAD SAME ISSUES
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-03
- VIN: JTHBW1GG6E2
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DOWNTOWN ATLANTA (MODERATE SPEED), ON A SATURDAY (NO CONSTRUCTION), AND NOWHERE NEAR ANY OVERPASS (FALLING OBJECTS), OUR UNOPENED SUNROOF EXPLODED. WE HEARD A LOUD "BANG", AND THOUGHT WE HAD SUFFERED A TIRE BLOWOUT, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LOUD NOISE A FEW SECONDS LATER AND COULD SEE SOMETHING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FLYING OFF THE BACK OF THE ROOF. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP, WE FOUND THE GLASS IN OUR SUNROOF HAD DISINTEGRATED.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-12-27
- VIN: JTHBW1GGXE2
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: HYBRID ENGINE NOT FULLY WORKING , ESTIMATED MPG 40 MPG CAR IS ONLY GETTING NOW 22.5 AND IS GETTING WORSE. MY WIFE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER LEXUS HYBRID AND THE DEALER DENIED PROBLEM FOR 3 MONTHS UNTIL THEY SENT A SERVICEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA TO FIX PROBLEM .
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-11-01
- VIN: JTHBW1GGXE2
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES 300H. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-12-08
- VIN: JTHBW1GG0E2
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-01-07
- VIN: JTHBW1GG4E2
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *TR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-07-26
- VIN: JTHBW1GG6E2
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR A FEW HOT DAYS AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT SOME POINT WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE CRACK APPEARED FROM THE BOTTOM SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER LOOKING AT IT FROM INSIDE THE CAR. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN IMPACT OF ANY TYPE. I ASSUME IT IS A DEFECT IN THE WINDOW OR HOW THEY ARE MOUNTED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-12-01
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 2014 LEXUS ES300H. DISCREPANCY IN THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER SYSTEMS. *TA THE SPEEDOMETER APPEARED TO REGISTER SPEEDS TWO-TO-THREE MILES AN HOUR FASTER THAN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. IT WAS DETERMINED BY SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO A GIVEN SPEED, THEN OBSERVING THE UNIT'S AVERAGE SPEED READOUT. THE DISCREPANCY WAS THE SAME AT ANY SPEED FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH. *JB
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-06-02
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: THE BUTTON TO START AND START THE VEHICLE IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE RADIO BUTTON. BOTH BUTTONS ARE PUSHED TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ENGINE START BUTTON INSTEAD OF THE RADIO BUTTON, ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKES AND ENGINE. IN ORDER TO RESTART I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE, HAD THIS OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED OTHER THAN THE VERY LOW SPEED I WAS GOING, IT WOULD HAVE LIKELY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND AT A MINIMUM NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPROGRAMMED TO PREVENT IT FROM BEING TURNED OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. *TR
2014 Lexus Es300h recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2014 Lexus Es300h.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
- Consequence: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
Negative 2014 Lexus Es300h car reviews
Positive 2014 Lexus Es300h car reviews
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This is the best car I have ever owned. It is an absolute delight to drive. I have tried the ES350, which is faster, but the shifting annoyed me. I prefer the ES300h CVT transmission. The ES300h has 3 driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, which can be easily selected with a rotating dial on the center console. I usually drive in Normal mode. Eco mode has a bit less acceleration, but it is still fine to drive in. It supposedly gets better mileage, but I haven’t done a reasonable test to verify this. In Normal mode, my mileage varies with driving. Around town, I’m getting about 34 mpg. On the freeway, I get 38. Sport mode makes a significant difference in handling. The car takes corners with much more confidence and can be pushed into tight turns. It is not a sports car, but for a big sedan, it corners very well. In Sport mode, the accelerator is much more responsive, quicker to react, with higher gearing. Still, maximum acceleration is limited to what the power plant can provide – 0-60 in under 8 seconds. The interior is luxurious, with all kinds of goodies to pamper you and keep you safe (I like the Blind Spot Monitor and Cross Traffic warning while backing up). It is very satisfying to sit in. However, I do have a complaint, and it is a big one. A few years back, Lexus decided to go to a mouse-based interface to the Navigation screen instead of a touch screen. The interface is used for navigation, the radio and other media players, and the phone. I also own a 2008 RX400h, with the touch-screen interface. It works fine and is easy to use. The mouse-based interface makes use of navigation, the radio, and the phone significantly more difficult. It requires you to look at the screen longer and takes more concentration to position the mouse. During my first month or two driving this car, I found it very distracting to use, resulting in less attention paid to driving the car – dangerous. I’ve now figured out a safer way to use it, but the interface still takes more effort and clicks.It seems like the Lexus user interface design could use some improvement. For example, when making a call on my RX, it takes a few clicks to get through to the person I want to speak to, which can be a bit risky while driving. However, the voice recognition system is a helpful alternative. Additionally, the radio presets are now electronic and can be accessed through the radio screen, which may take some getting used to. Navigation can also be a bit tricky, but the voice recognition system works well for setting a destination. Overall, while there may be a learning curve with the Lexus interface, it is still a useful and functional system.Oddly, and annoyingly, there are no voice commands for 'Pause Guidance' and 'Resume Guidance'. I use these or the touch equivalent on my other cars to silence the Nav system when I don’t want to hear it during the journey, like when stopping for gas or lunch. However, I'm still learning and there may be shortcuts I can use to simplify this interface. Overall, it is inferior to what Lexus used to use and what Toyota still uses. Unfortunately, I can’t explain why they have done this.
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Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I noticed that you were looking for a vehicle with a roomy back seat, good fuel economy, and AWD or front-wheel drive for driving in snow. I've had a few German vehicles in the past, including a Mercedes GL320, Porsche Boxter, VW Touareg, CC, and GTI, but I recently came across the 2013 Lexus ES300 and I think it might be a great fit for you! It has an impressive 40 inch rear leg room and gets 40 mpg in the city and on the highway, all while using regular fuel. Plus, it has a sleek new horizontal dash that resembles BMW styling and is much more stylish than the VW. Let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like to take a closer look!
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The 2013 ES by Lexus has been redesigned to handle better, and they have done an excellent job. I had always believed that only my 2006 BMW 5-Series had the perfect combination of competent handling and ride quality, and up until 2010, that was true. However, other cars have caught up, and this Lexus is one of them. Even when pushed well past my usual driving limits, the 2013 ES has proven to be just as good as the legendary Bimmer. It also rides much better and is quieter too. I am thoroughly enjoying every minute behind the wheel of this car, and it is the only car that could have convinced me to switch from my Bimmer, even after trying many others, including Infiniti and Mercedes. I never thought any Japanese car could ever do that. The ES hybrid provides all the power I need, and it has the potential to get over 40 mpg in non-highway driving, something no gas-fired BMW could ever do. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and a feast for the eyes, and even the exterior styling is contemporary, better than on their newer versions, in my humble opinion. The heated and cooled seats are supportive and comfortable, and even the ‘base’ radio is better than most others. And, of course, the biggest bonus and a prime determinant in me switching brands is getting legendary reliability and low operating costs that Toyota is known for, something that BMW will NEVER be able to claim. I was fortunate enough to find a seven-year-old Lexus certified used car with only 19k miles that almost can’t be told from new, so I’m finally feeling really good about my ride, not having to worry about what the next expensive thing will be to fail on my used BMW. Some have complained about the mouse-pad-like controller for the NAV/Audio system, and initially, I thought they had a point. But now I’m over it; it’s a simple learning curve, folks, and not that hard to learn.It's different, but not worse than anything else. I really appreciate not having to reach up to touch a screen or buttons that my eyes will have to search for, and then still have to also look at the screen. This car handles and rides great and can be driven like a 'normal' car, but gets 50% better mpg. According to the car's calculations, I've already gotten over 42 mpg in mixed driving, although I don't know yet how accurate that is. And no, it won't equal the fossil fuel frugality of a pure electric, but it also never needs to be charged for hours either; just gas it up like you would any other car, only get up to 40 mpg. Its only blemish might be that it has less trunk space than its gas-engine twin because of the hybrid battery pack, but other than that, it might be the ideal mid-sized luxury car. This car lets you have your cake and eat it too. I'll update this later with accurate mpg figures and more real-world driving experience. Update on 6/25/2020: Non-highway mpg is around 34, almost twice what the Bimmer got. It would improve if I drove in 'ECO' mode, but I like the response better in 'normal'. The response in 'Sport' is significantly better still, but also achieves significantly less mpg (like 26). Other than that, I remain completely satisfied with this car and am still excited about owning it and driving it. I might not have felt this way with an earlier (than 2013) Lexus model, but this one has converted this former BMW driver. I will note that one must be careful leaving intersections when it's raining; the immediate torque from the electric motor assist will spin the tires easily from a stop. That's where AWD would make this the perfect car! Update on 12/29/2020: I replaced the Lexus in late August with a newer 2017 Infiniti QX50 compact SUV.We recently got rid of our third car, a Mercury Mountaineer with AWD. For twenty years, we enjoyed the confidence of each having an AWD car during winter. I was concerned about trying to make it through the occasional snow-covered road in a hybrid car with a torquey electric motor spinning its tires. The Infiniti is a great all-around car, which I will review separately. If we had kept a third AWD vehicle, or if the Lexus had been AWD, I would have kept it for another ten to fifteen years. The Infiniti should be decent regarding operating costs, way better than any BMW, but I don’t think it will match a Toyota product. Just this model year, Lexus has finally introduced an AWD ES350 sedan (but not yet the hybrid sedan). That might be enough to entice me to switch back in a couple more years when I can look for a certified used one. While I love the performance, utility, and handling of my Infiniti, I wish I had kept the Lexus hybrid. The Infiniti non-highway mpg is about exactly half of what the Lexus got. That said, the utility is way better than the Lexus, which didn’t even have fold-down rear seats. And of course, there is no contest regarding performance; the Infiniti can probably tow the Lexus down the road faster than it could go on its own power. Given the eco-unfriendly near-term costs of manufacturing the LiO2 batteries (and really, an entire new car), it probably doesn’t help the planet for me to switch back. Still, the Lexus was a great car, and I miss seeing 52 mpg on its computer, which I saw frequently on the highway. We are still keeping the Infiniti, and I am looking for a hybrid SUV, but supplies are limited and prices are high.Since I'm retired and driving less, I'll probably stick with my Infiniti. It's a rare 'fully loaded' model with lots of high-tech features that I love. Even with gas prices returning to normal, I'm still not motivated to replace it with a hybrid. It's simply the best all-around vehicle I've ever owned. It scratches my occasional 'enthusiast-motoring' itch with sharp handling and hair-raising acceleration, while also providing a comfortable and luxurious ride under all other conditions. However, I have to admit that Dodge's upcoming high-performing 'Hornet' hybrid in a hatchback format with foldable seats and AWD has caught my attention. It may lack the luxury trimmings of the Infiniti and some safety features (unless I buy the highest trim level), so it might not be the totally compelling package I seek... but we'll see! It's clear that manufacturers are addressing buyers like me as more electric and hybrid models are being developed, so it's inevitable that my current Infiniti's days are numbered. I have the Lexus ES300h to thank for starting me along this pathway!
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I purchased my 2013 model in 2015 with only 9,000 miles on it for $35K, a great deal compared to its original price of $49K. As a former real estate agent, this car was perfect for my needs. It has a comfortable ride with plenty of legroom in both the front and rear seats. The trunk is spacious and easily fits my listing signs, home repair kit, and golf bag. Over the last 8 years, I have averaged an impressive 39-40 MPG. The Mark Levinson System is fantastic, and I love that it plays my 8K tunes from my iPhone with great clarity. Although I have not yet located all 15 speakers, I am still impressed with the sound quality. Another great feature is that it uses Regular fuel. While the Lexus LS may be quieter, I can only tell the difference when I ride in my brother's LS. I sold my previous LS at 220,000 miles, and I am confident that this one will last just as long. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my Lexus and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and reliable car.
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This car is a gem! It has only had one owner and has ultra-low miles (19k in 2020). I replaced my previous BMW 5-Series with this Lexus and I couldn't be happier. The Lexus handles just as well for everyday driving and rides even better. The interior is much nicer and it is roomier in the back seat. I get an impressive 30 mpg 'around town' and 45+ mpg on the highway, which is something my old BMW could never achieve. The hybrid drivetrain is a cherry on top, providing proven reliability from the Toyota brand. I now drive with a sense of peace and serenity, instead of worrying about what might go wrong next or when the next expensive service is due. The Lexus ES300h hybrid is a great car that compares well to the best 5-series BMW ever made. I only wish it had AWD like my old Bimmer. However, I might consider trading it for their AWD Lexus hybrid SUV, which gets about the same mpg. In summary, this car is a great investment that provides a comfortable and reliable driving experience.; AWD. I would have loved to buy a used Lexus SUV, but unfortunately, I couldn't find one within my self-imposed budget of $25k. However, I stumbled upon a 2017 Infiniti QX50, and it has made me the happiest camper in the world!! It is based on a RWD chassis and has handling dynamics that compare very favorably with my 2008 BMW 335xi I once had. The ride quality is excellent, matching that of the 2006 BMW 530xi. With 325 HP, it can almost match the acceleration of the 3-series. Its virtues include a better seating position, better egress, bigger trunk and overall more cargo capacity, more room for rear seat passengers, and excellent technology (mine is fully loaded). The only demerit is its mediocre mpg (18/27 real-world experience). Nevertheless, I can now drive anywhere, anytime I want. If the Lexus had been an AWD sedan that got 40 mpg, I would have kept it forever; it was that good. However, I'm actually more satisfied now with this Infiniti, although the mpg is obviously disappointing compared to the Lexus. UPDATE JUNE 9, 2022: I wish I had kept the Lexus hybrid! Soon after getting my 2017 Infiniti QX50, my wife decided to retire (I already had), and so we only needed one AWD vehicle, and her 2019 Infiniti QX50 fills that bill. The Infiniti has its own virtues, chief among them the utilitarian advantages of an SUV dealing with fold-down rear seats, better riding position, and better dynamic performance. But in an era of ever-rising gasoline prices, the Lexus' much better mpg would be so welcome! And the Lexus truly was a great car, and as I mentioned, Toyota reliability is second to none. Infiniti isn't bad, certainly better than many, especially BMWs (they are the worst). And my specific example was a super-low-miles needle from a stack of needles that I've not ever seen again. That said, the only demerit for my '17 QX50 is gas mileage, which isn't always that horrible. Despite its awesome 325 HP engine, I see 29+ mpg on the highway when I set its adaptive cruise to 75 mph.Although the Infiniti struggles to sustain 18 mpg, it's still acceptable for non-highway circuits. If it were a hybrid, it would probably be the perfect vehicle for me. However, I'm only averaging 5,800 miles per year in retirement, and the $71 monthly 'penalty' in gas expenses between the two cars doesn't justify the expense of switching. The Lexus will always remain one of my more memorable cars and one among the many that 'got away'. If you can find a good one, don't hesitate to get it!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2014 Lexus Es300h problems:
What problems have you had with your ES300h - ClubLexus - Lexus ...
Jun 27, 2020 ... I have a 2014 ES300H UL (or whatever it was called in Canada) and have just had the 120K km (75K mi) service. In six years of ownership I have ...
Considering a 2014 Lexus ES 300h. What should I know? : r/Lexus
Jul 28, 2023 ... I've had zero issues and have driven the car relentlessly (did a cross-Canada drive in the dead of winter). My original brakes have +80% of ...
ES Hybrid Issues? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
May 11, 2022 ... The only significant issues/defects that the ES300h Hybrid has is that it has a very anemic low horsepower engine. The car is slow. The 6 ...
2014 Lexus ES300h Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
The Lexus ES300h Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 3rd out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $524 which ...
Any "common problems" threads ? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum ...
May 25, 2018 ... ... ? I just got a es300h and trying to get ahead of common problems. any common issues I should be concerned with with my 2013 es300h ? thanks
Other years of Lexus Es300h
Are you having problems with your 2014 Lexus Es300h?
Fermin Heathcote 2024-09-02
I purchased my LEXUS ES300H in December 2014. According to the value paper, it was supposed to have a mileage of 39 in the city and 40 on the highway, and it was recommended to use regular gas. However, since I bought the car, I have never been able to achieve this level of mileage. I am not sure how they are claiming that the ES300H can achieve such high mileage. I usually get around 34-35 miles per gallon, which is a 13.26% variation. The car should be giving me more mileage than it is currently showing. In August of this year, I had an incident where I was backing up the car from my driveway and the car was parked on the other side of the road. Although the back-up camera was on, the blind spot monitor was not working and did not beep. When I got out of the car to check, I noticed damage on my bumper. Long story short, I contacted LEXUS and they asked me to take the car to the dealer. They checked my car and said that due to the impact on the bumper, the blind spot monitor was not working. They did not take the bumper off to look at it. If this car has a blind spot monitor that breaks down by simply touching another car, then it does not belong on the road. It should look good in the showroom.
Gus Klein 2024-08-17
I'd like to start by saying that I believe the issues I experienced with my brand new 2014 Lexus ES300H were due to a defective car, and not consistent with others. I simply have to assume this is the case. Unfortunately, I had two major issues that were never resolved, which forced me to break the lease and sell the car. The first issue was a large rattle that occurred when the car reached about 30 miles an hour, lasting a few seconds. I took it to the Santa Monica Lexus repair shop, and after a week in the shop, they identified the issue as being the heat shield. However, the problem persisted even after the repair. This went on for two more visits before I gave up and took it to another Lexus repair shop. Long story short, that repair shop stated the sound is
Scotty Leffler 2024-07-19
I have been a proud owner of a Lexus for over a decade now and have always enjoyed the experience. Naturally, when I purchased the 2014 Lexus ES 300h premium package, I was hoping for a similar experience. While the car drives well, there is a slight hesitation when starting up after stopping, which is common with many hybrids. However, I have noticed that my mileage has not improved over the years, despite driving in accordance with the manual. Additionally, the boxy styling is not to my taste, and the interior materials are not as high-quality as those in my previous Lexuses. The ventilated seat has been a major issue for me, as it is quite uncomfortable and causes back pain every time I drive. Although the service manager acknowledged that some people feel the same way, the extra cushioning added to the back to alleviate the discomfort has not been entirely effective. As a result, I have only driven this car for 44,000 miles over the past seven years, preferring to drive my 19-year-old RX300 instead. Overall, this has been my least favorite car purchase to date.
Jaylen Senger 2024-06-12
I understand that this may be hard to believe, but I have had a difficult experience with Lexus USA customer service. I had to do all the follow-up myself. While the car itself is fine, I have had a negative experience with the optional Mark Levinson sound system. I would not recommend purchasing this option. Despite my reasonable approach with the customer care representatives, they did not seem to care. If something is not done about the sound system, this will unfortunately be the last Lexus I purchase.
Joel Mills 2024-06-09
Firstly, I must say that the car is quite nice overall. The interior is what really sold me on it - the wooden trim, black leather, AC, heated seats, sunroof, and even an analogue clock are all lovely features. Plus, it has Bluetooth! While it may not have the same beautiful curves as the G Coupe, it still looks great on the outside. However, I do have to mention that it is a heavy car and its handling leaves something to be desired. In fact, it's one of the worst handling cars I've ever owned. Being FWD, I was hoping for RWD or AWD, but unfortunately that's not the case. I thought I could get used to driving a heavy FWD automatic car, but I find myself curbing it all the time and burning rubber when I have to accelerate. This shouldn't be happening, especially since the car is a slow commuter car with a 0-60 time of around 8 seconds (and I'm even in ECO mode when this happens). It does have a sport mode, but it's not really necessary since the car is not particularly fast. However, if you have a family, it's a great car. Unfortunately, as a 27-year-old without a family, it's not the best fit for me. If it weren't FWD, many of the car's issues would be solved. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to make a heavy car FWD.