NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Lexus ES[1]. 4 of them mention a crash[1].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.
- Unknown or other. 9 complaints[5]. These do not name a clear component, so they cover a mix of topics.
- Brakes. 5 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car braking hard on its own with cruise control on, and brakes that stopped working a few months after new brakes were fitted.
- Electrical system. 5 complaints[7]. Owners describe a push button start that needed several tries, lights going dark at night, a blank infotainment screen, and wiring chewed by rodents.
- Power train. 4 complaints[8]. Owners describe sudden unexpected acceleration at low speed, and a driving range readout that kept shrinking.
- Speed control. 2 complaints[9].
- Forward collision avoidance. 2 complaints[10]. Owners describe waiting a long time for parts to finish a recall repair.
- Fuel or propulsion system. 2 complaints[11].
- Air bags. 2 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2015 ES is necessarily included.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking (15V728), November 2015. About 30,812 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[4] | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 11.1% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2015 Lexus ES with 2.5L 4-cylinder[15] | 154 hp |
| 2015 Lexus ES with 3.5L 6-cylinder[16] | 268 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES300h HYBRID 4DR SEDAN[17] | 193 in | 72 in | 57 in | 111 in | 3,660 lb |
| ES350 4DR SEDAN[18] | 193 in | 72 in | 57 in | 111 in | 3,549 lb |
| RX350 4DR SUV AWD SPORTDESIGN/F SPORT[19] | 188 in | 74 in | 67 in | 108 in | 4,343 lb |
| RX450h 4DR SUV AWD SPORTDESIGN[20] | 188 in | 74 in | 68 in | 108 in | 4,652 lb |
How 2015 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the ES show 27 complaints and 1 recalls for 2015[2]. Among the 32 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2015 and 23 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2015 ES?
The file for this model year is fairly small at 27 complaints[1]. The biggest group does not point to one part[5]. Brakes and the electrical system come next[6][7]. The model year also has 1 recall on record[2], so check the Recalls section below. These are unverified owner reports and the counts are not adjusted for sales.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Lexus ES?
- Owners filed 27 complaints in total[1]. The largest named groups are brakes and the electrical system[6][7].
- Does the 2015 Lexus ES have any recalls?
- Yes, the by-year fact shows 1 recall[2]. See the Recalls section on this page for details.
- How much gas does the 2015 Lexus ES use?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the official figures.
- Is the 2015 Lexus ES reliable?
- The complaint file holds 27 reports[1]. Read the problems section and the year comparison on this page to judge for yourself.
- Is 2015 the best year for the Lexus ES?
- See the by-year comparison section on this page, which is built from the data for each year.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lexus ES
Compare all model years of the Lexus ES
Other Lexus models from 2015
Similar cars from 2015: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Lexus ES (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 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
- 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V728, filed November 3, 2015: Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Lexus ES with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 154 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Lexus ES with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 268 hp. www.epa.gov
- 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
- 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX350 4DR SUV AWD SPORTDESIGN/F SPORT: length 188 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,343 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX450h 4DR SUV AWD SPORTDESIGN: length 188 in, width 74 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,652 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov