CarBrief

NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Lexus ES, and the car has one recall[1][2]. The ES 300h and ES 350 differ a lot in fuel economy, so check which one you are looking at[3][4].

46owner complaints[1]
1recalls[5]
24–40MPG combined (EPA)[3]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 46 owner complaints for the 2014 ES[1]. Seven mention a crash, Seven mention a crash, 3 injuries are reported, and none mention a fire or a death[1]., and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and Component counts add up to more than 46, so one complaint can fall in more than one group[1][7]..

Component group Complaints Crashes Median mileage at failure
Electrical system[7] 14 3 34,500
Brakes[8] 10 4 22,050
Unknown or other[9] 8 1 not listed
Engine[10] 5 2 11,214
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 5 2 3,000

Smaller groups are structure with 4 complaints[12], forward collision avoidance with 4[13] and steering with 3[14].

Electrical system. In a sample of complaints we read, 4 of 12 describe power door locks or lock actuators that stopped working, including locking with the key fob[7]. Others in the sample describe a speedometer reading a few miles per hour high and a car alarm that did not work[7].

Brakes. In a sample of 10 complaints we read, several describe a brake pedal that did not slow or stop the car as expected, sometimes along with sudden acceleration, and some ended in a crash[8]. Two describe a brake fault code that called for replacing several brake parts[8].

Engine and fuel system. In small samples of 5 complaints each, owners describe the car accelerating on its own or stalling at low speed in 3 of the engine complaints[10]. Owners describe surging forward or hesitating when pressing the gas in 2 of the fuel/propulsion complaints[11]. These groups are small, so treat them as reports to be aware of and not as a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2014 ES.

Ask a Lexus dealer to check your VIN, since only cars with the optional system are affected[2].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates two versions of the 2014 ES, and the gap is large.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
ES 300h, 2.5L 4-cyl[3] 40 / 39 / 40 $1,700
ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl[4] 21 / 30 / 24 $2,800

Both are front-wheel drive and use regular fuel[3][4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes and 5 stars for side crashes[6]. Rollover is rated 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 11.1%[6].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 2.5L 4-cylinder rated 154 hp and a 3.5L 6-cylinder rated 268 hp[15][16]. The 2.5L is the engine in the ES 300h, and the 3.5L is the engine in the ES 350[3][4].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications..

ES300h ES350
Length[17][18] 193 in 193 in
Width[17][18] 72 in 72 in
Height[17][18] 57 in 57 in
Wheelbase[17][18] 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[17][18] 3,660 lb 3,549 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

1995: 38 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 38 complaints, 1 recalls1997: 47 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 53 complaints, 1 recalls1999: 35 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 62 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 31 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 180 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 139 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 190 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 200 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 79 complaints, 0 recalls2007: 664 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 323 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 173 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 179 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 199 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 120 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 70 complaints, 1 recalls2014: 46 complaints, 1 recalls4620142015: 27 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 37 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 26 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 15 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 40 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 24 complaints, 3 recalls2021: 35 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 16 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 11 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 9 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 5 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each ES model year. The 2014 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995381
1996381
1997472
1998531
1999350
2000620
2001310
20021802
20031390
20041902
20052002
2006790
20076644
20083234
20091735
20101795
20111993
20121203
2013701
2014461
2015271
2016371
2017261
2018152
2019404
2020243
2021351
2022161
2023112
202492
202551
202610

The 2014 ES has 46 complaints and 1 recall[5]. The 2013 model year has 70 complaints and 1 recall, and 2015 has 27 complaints and 1 recall[5]. Every model year from 2015 to 2026 on the list has fewer than 46 complaints[5]. Some earlier years have more, such as 120 for 2012, 199 for 2011 and 664 for 2007[5]. A few older years have fewer, including 1995 and 1996 with 38 each, 1999 with 35 and 2001 with 31[5].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show a rough picture only.

Should you buy a used 2014 Lexus ES?

The complaint count for 2014 (46) is lower than for 2013 (70) and for 2011, 2012 and 2007[5]. The safety ratings are strong[6]. The recall is about unexpected braking from the optional Pre-Collision System, and dealers replace parts for free[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe door lock failures and brakes that did not respond as expected[7][8]. Check the VIN for the recall, choose between the ES 300h and the ES 350 with the fuel cost gap in mind, and get a pre-purchase inspection[2][3][4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Lexus ES?
Electrical system has the most complaints with 14, followed by brakes with 10[7][8]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe door lock failures and brakes that did not respond as expected[7][8].
Does the 2014 Lexus ES have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall, 15V728, for unexpected braking from the optional Pre-Collision System[2]. Dealers replace certain parts for free[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Lexus ES?
The EPA rates the ES 300h at 40 combined MPG and the ES 350 at 24 combined MPG[3][4].
How safe is the 2014 Lexus ES?
NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[6].
Is the 2014 Lexus ES better than the 2013 model?
By complaint counts, 2014 has 46 and 2013 has 70, and both have 1 recall[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Lexus ES (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 15V728, filed November 3, 2015: Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking. NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for ES 300h, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 39 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,050). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,214). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 3 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Lexus ES with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 154 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Lexus ES with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 268 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES300h HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,660 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES350 4DR SEDAN: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,549 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.