Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 80/100 (EXCELLENT)

2023 Lexus ES Reliability Report

The 2023 Lexus ES rates excellent and well above other 2023 sedans, but one owner reported a parking-speed surge that ended in a crash.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$551

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,150–$2,400

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint SeverityN/A

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact80/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue DiversityN/A

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Final year of the sixth generation, rated excellent like its neighbors, with a brake complaint tied to a parking-lot crash and two back over prevention recalls.

Top Issues to Watch

SERVICE BRAKES (2)
POWER TRAIN (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2023 is the last model year of the Sixth generation (XV60).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
7 years after the last refresh (2016).
6th generation ES (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2013: Sixth generation (XV60) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2016: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2023: This Model Year

2023 is the last model year of the Sixth generation (XV60).

Should You Buy the 2023 Lexus ES?

Reliability is excellent for this model year, and it stands well above average among 2023 sedans. Within the eight scored Lexus ES years, it sits in the middle. It is the last year of the sixth generation. The 2022 rates better, with 16 complaints and no recalls. The 2024 rates about the same, with 9 complaints and 4 recalls. Federal crash testing gave it 5 of 5 stars.

Owners filed 18 complaints, and 6 involve a crash. The brake reports matter most. One owner said the car surged forward while easing into a parking space with the brake pedal pressed. A "Parking Support Brake Malfunction" warning appeared, and the car crashed. No injuries were reported. Another owner heard squeaking only when reversing slowly, and a dealer called that common on newer models. Neither report gives a mileage. Federal recall records list 4 recalls, two of them for back over prevention.

Run the VIN for open recalls and ask for service records on the brakes. A shopper who wants a clean recall history can look at the 2022.

Compared to the 2024 Lexus ES, which scored the same. See also the 2022 Lexus ES for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+Low complaint frequency
+5-star NHTSA crash rating
+Well-established generation
+Only 18 complaints reported

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−SERVICE BRAKES: Sudden acceleration while the brake pedal is pressed at parking-lot speed is... (2 complaints)

Compare 2023 Lexus ES With

2023 BMW 5 Series

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reliability: 63/100

Good

2023 Acura TLX

Reliability: 79/100

Good

2023 Volvo S60

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2023 Tesla Model 3

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

4 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

SERVICE BRAKES (2)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2023 Lexus ES. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2023 Lexus ES Recall Details

4 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Lexus ES. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V7440002025-10-30

BACK OVER PREVENTION

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

24V1240002024-02-21

BACK OVER PREVENTION

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic control unit (ECU) software, the rearview camera image may not immediately display within a couple of seconds after the shifter is placed into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA01.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2023 Lexus ES? Check its history first

Service brakes problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Lexus ES, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2023 Lexus ES NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 10.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (-)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, Roof)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Lexus ESRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$551

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

2023 Lexus ES Example Repair Prices

National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.

Common repair costs and price estimates
Repair	Estimated Cost
Anti-lock Brake System Inspect	$137 – $201
Ignition Coil Replacement	$445 – $607
Transmission Leak Inspection	$76 – $112
Coolant Change	$149 – $195
Cruise Control Switch Replacement	$272 – $310
Engine Oil Level Sensor Replacement	$547 – $661
Steering Knuckle Replacement	$764 – $892
Door Mirror Replacement	$955 – $1,083
Check Engine Light Diagnosis & Testing	$153 – $224
Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement	$493 – $671

Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

25–28 MPG

Running cost: $2,700–$2,950/yr

Fuel + repair

22–25 city / 31–34 hwy MPG

Hybrid

44 MPG

Running cost: $1,900/yr

Fuel + repair

43 city / 44 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
ES 250 AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	25	34	28	$2,150
ES 350 3.5L 6-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	22	32	26	$2,300
ES 350 F Sport 3.5L 6-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	22	31	25	$2,400

Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
ES 300h 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S6)	43	44	44	$1,350

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Lexus ES.

Ease into a parking space several times with light brake taps and confirm the car stops without surging forward.
Watch the instrument panel for a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction" warning at startup and throughout the test drive.
Reverse slowly across a quiet lot with the radio off and listen for brake squeal.
Play the radio at high volume for several minutes and confirm the sound never cuts out.
With the audio loud, unbuckle a seatbelt or open a door and confirm the warning chime still sounds.
On a multilane road, confirm the blind spot warning lights when a car sits beside you on each side.

2023 Lexus ES Common Problems by Component

18 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

SERVICE BRAKES (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)POWER TRAIN (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)LANE DEPARTURE (1)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)TIRES (1)

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaintsSafety-related

Sudden acceleration while the brake pedal is pressed at parking-lot speed is the most serious problem here. It appears in 1 of the 2 complaints, and that report involves a crash. The car surged forward while easing into a space, and a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction" warning appeared on the instrument panel. No injuries were reported. The other complaint describes brakes that squeak only when reversing slowly. A dealer called this common on newer models. Neither report gives a mileage.

2 complaints total1 crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Audio sometimes cuts out completely at high volume. Once the sound drops, the car plays no audible warnings or instructions, so the driver can miss alerts. This is 1 of the 2 complaints in this category. The other says the blind spot monitoring system is defective but does not describe symptoms or say when the problem started. Neither report mentions a crash, an injury, or a mileage.

2 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

1 complaintSafety-related

2025-07-31Crash reported

The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300h. The contact stated that while sitting idle with the engine powered off in a local parking lot, the vehicle suddenly began to roll back independently into the nearby underground garage and crashed into the rear end of another parked vehicle's front passenger-side bumper that was unoccupied. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that a 3rd party inspector investigated the failure; however, the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,186.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2026-02-03

The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stalled. During the failure, the vehicle lost power brakes and power steering functionality, with the messages "High Power Consumption Temporarily Limited", "Braking Temporarily Disabled", and "Power Steering Temporarily Disabled" displayed. The contact was able to safely park the vehicle. The vehicle was later jump-started, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was jump-started a second time and driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the alternator had failed due to several electrical charging ports being used at the same time. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,995.

LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints)

LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

2025-11-05

While driving on the highway, whenever you approach an exit or an intersecting part of a highway, the lane keep assist will jerk hard towards that exit or towards the direction of the nonexistent line on the right or left side of the lane. Weather that line of that lane has faded out or is part of a type of highway intersection. Since the car drifts in between lines of that lane (while in LANE KEEP ASSIST LKA), it is hard to tell initially what the car is trying to do. Then it pulls hard to the right or the left, depending on where that line has disappeared. While there’s always at least one full line of that lane visible. I’ve already almost been in several car accidents since I got this car last April. Also I am driving a 2025 Toyota Corolla and I’m having the same exact problems. This is unsafe for everyone.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

2024-05-01

CAR STOPED WARNING LIGHTS REPAIRED TOLD FUEL PUMP DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE AND FUEL SENSORY REPLACED ALSO CAT CONVERED BROKEN REPLACED

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaintSafety-related

2023-12-22Crash reported

I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in neutral, no response, then rear left corner of my vehicle rammed into a concrete pillar/metal window frame. I then turned the vehicle off, restarted and drove away. I did not put my foot on accelerator to cause the rapid engine acceleration.

TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint

2022-11-16

2023 Lexus ES300h with 1360 miles had rear passenger side tire blowout which ripped off the fender liner although fender liner ripped off first and flew off of car and less than two minutes later the TPMS alerted driver of low tire pressure. Tire is a Bridgestone Turanza EL440 235/45R18 94V. No foreign body was hit to cause this blowout. Happened at a speed of about 35 - 40 mph while accelerating. Driver inspected bolts and nuts on driver rear side to prevent this from repeating on the unaffected side and found nuts were not hand tightened completely. Walmart Tire Center and Discount Tire found a slash on interior side wall of tire. Lexus dealer did not honor warranty for tire or fender liner. Driver had to pay out of pocket for repair.

Best & Worst Lexus ES Years

Best Lexus ES Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

Lexus ES Years to Avoid

No Lexus ES years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 78 and 88 across 8 scored model years.

See full Lexus ES years-to-avoid analysis

Lexus ES Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Lexus ES reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	80/100	Excellent
2019	78/100	Good
2020	83/100	Excellent
2021	88/100	Excellent
2022	88/100	Excellent
2023	80/100	Excellent
2024	80/100	Excellent
2025	83/100	Excellent

Lexus ES Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2025	83/100	+3	Excellent	1	4
2024	80/100	0	Excellent	4	9
2023(selected)	80/100	-8	Excellent	4	18
2022	88/100	0	Excellent	0	16
2021	88/100	+5	Excellent	0	0
2020	83/100	+5	Excellent	1	5
2019	78/100	-2	Good	3	33
2018	80/100	—	Excellent	2	10

2023 Lexus ES Common Questions

10 questions from 2023 Lexus ES owners.

BTTERY REPLACEMENT

* I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE OF GARAGE FOR TWO MONTHS AND NOW IT DOES NOT START AFTER JUMP IT START FINE DO I NEDD TO REPLACE BATTERY?

VisitorApr 22, 2026

Engine check light on

Engine check light and VSC and TRAC Off On A few days

VisitorApr 10, 2026

Coolant low on Lexus LS500

The coolant is low. The car is low mileage, 34k. No leak, no overheating, no in car messages. Just i saw two small pink dots in under carriage, NOT under the car. What is this. Can it be just i fill it then its fine? Started today

VisitorApr 5, 2026

Where are Fuses for a/c 2015 lexus gs350

Where are the fuses for a/c 2015 lexus gs350

VisitorMar 19, 2026

Hot air blows

So I have two problems my ac isn't getting cold and hot air always pours into the cabin so that's probably the blend door actuator but will that make it so my ac doesn't work Hot air always blows More than a year

VisitorMar 16, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2023 Lexus ES reliable?

Yes. Its reliability standing is excellent, and it is well above average against other 2023 sedans. Within the eight scored ES years it sits in the middle, and the 2022 rates better. Owners filed 18 complaints, and federal crash testing gave it 5 of 5 stars.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Lexus ES?

Brakes are the main complaint area, with two reports. One describes a surge forward at parking speed with a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction" warning, ending in a crash. The other describes squeaking only when reversing slowly. Neither report gives a mileage, and the data shows no other repeated pattern.

Does the 2023 Lexus ES have brake problems?

Some owners report them, but the count is small. Of two brake complaints, one involved the car accelerating while the brake pedal was pressed during parking, and it ended in a crash with no injuries. The other was a squeak when reversing slowly, which a dealer called common on newer models.

Has the 2023 Lexus ES been recalled?

Yes. Federal recall records list 4 recalls for this model year. Two of them cover back over prevention. Before buying, run the VIN through the federal recall lookup to see whether any remain open on the specific car you are considering.

Is the 2023 Lexus ES better than the 2022 or 2024?

The 2022 rates better, with 16 complaints and no recalls. The 2024 rates about the same as the 2023, with 9 complaints and 4 recalls. All three are rated excellent. Because newer years have had less time to collect complaints, the 2024's lower count does not make it the safer pick.

Don’t buy a 2023 Lexus ES without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2023 Lexus ES

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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