JTHBW1GG6G21196842016 LEXUS ES300h
2016 LEXUS ES was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2016 LEXUS ES
2016 LEXUS ES was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
8 owner complaints filed — top areas: Other (50%), Brakes (25%), Engine/Powertrain (13%). 1 crash reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- LEXUS
- Model
- ES
- Year
- 2016
- Trim / Series
- 300h
- Body Style
- Sedan/Saloon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L 156 hp
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
- Assembly
- MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
- Electrification
- Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ▸Electric/hybrid vehicle — monitor for battery thermal events
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
EV battery thermal management coolant degrades over time. A failing cooling system accelerates battery degradation and can cause thermal events. Service per manufacturer schedule.
Electric drive units use gear oil that degrades with age. Neglected fluid causes bearing wear in the reduction gear. Replacement is typically $50–$150.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEARComplaint Intelligence
8 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME8 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
The brake actuator and/or brake booster pump assembly failed on my 2016 Lexus ES300h. This is a known issues for this vehicle's braking system and results in a sudden loss of power braking assistance. The failure requires increased pedal pressure and eventually brkaing failure, creating a significant safety hazard and increasing the risk of collision. The dashboard displays multiple warning lights, including Braking Power Low and Brake Override Malfunction. Lexus has acknowledged this defect through an extended warranty and consumer warranty program, but Lexus is alleging my vehicle (despite showing issues prior to 150,000 miles) is now over 150,000 miles and not eligible. I am reporting this because a critical safety component should not have a "timer" on it when it involves primary braking of the vehicle.
While driving at highway speeds on Interstate and without warning my standard size sunroof exploded. This event caused loud noise and shattered glass. I was not under overpass or around any other vehicles. This event caused immediate panic due to noise and not understanding what occurred until a visual inspection was conducted roadside. The vehicle has been inspected by dealership for repair resulting in $2800 repair utilizing insurance.
On 2/3/2026 i was sitting at a light and out of no where i heard a bang or what sounded like a explosion i get out of the car and my panoramic sunroof is completely shattered but it looked like it exploded from the inside out. My sunroof was closed the cover was shit and i have no idea what would have caused it. I asked the driver that was directly behind me at the light if they saw anything hit the car they said no nothing i dont understand how this happens and the dealership says they wont warranty it i dont know what to do
In April 2022, the timing cover seal on my 2016 Lexus ES 350 was replaced due to a leak. This was completed under warranty at approximately 84,785 miles. In February 2025, less than three years and roughly 56,000 miles later, I was informed by the same Lexus dealership during a routine service that the exact same issue—leaking from the timing cover—had reoccurred. There were no warning lights, engine performance issues, or visible signs of oil loss leading up to this. During my prior service appointment in December 2024, I was told the car was in excellent condition with no issues. I service my vehicle at every Lexus-recommended interval and maintain a full history of service records. The dealership has confirmed the new timing cover leak but has not been able to explain why the seal failed again. This is a major engine component that should not require a second repair within such a short time frame. I am now being asked to pay a significant portion of a nearly $5,000 repair despite a prior warranty fix, and despite having done nothing to cause or accelerate the failure. Lexus offered a partial goodwill credit, but no root cause has been identified. I am concerned that either poor workmanship or substandard parts contributed to the premature failure, and that it may happen again. Given the cost, critical nature of the part, and the lack of answers, this feels like more than just an isolated incident. I have complete service documentation and before-and-after video footage of the most recent repair. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection upon request. I purchased a Lexus because I believed in the brand’s commitment to long-term reliability and quality. That confidence has been shaken. I respectfully ask NHTSA to investigate this recurring failure and assess whether this is part of a larger issue.
The contact owned a 2016 Lexus ES. The contact stated while at a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to engage and the vehicle unintentionally accelerated which caused the front driver's side of the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. There was severe cosmetic damage however, no injuries was sustained. The air bags was deployed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was totaled. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Lexus ES350 equipped with General Tires, Tire Line: ReliaTrek, Tire Size: 225/45/R18, DOT Number: VY4FWJ85. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact pulled over and called Roadside Assistance. The Roadside Assistance technician made the contact aware of a blowout of the driver's side rear tire. The contact was shown that the entire sidewall had detached from the tread. The spare tire was installed by Roadside Assistance. The contact stated that the tires had recently been purchased by the previous owner however, the contact was unsure of the failure mileage on the tires. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the tire replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 100,000.
Pearl white paint peeling
Front door locking mechanisms fail over time making it dangerous to open doors and leave it parked in public areas. Door lock actuators failed on both driver and passenger sides.
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 8 NHTSA complaints on file for the LEXUS ES — a relatively low volume that spans from 2023 to 2026.
The amber reliability line is declining — recent years score around 92/100, lower than earlier in the vehicle's life. This pattern indicates issues are accumulating over time rather than being resolved, which is a concern for used buyers.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2025, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $36,614 (~$610/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile. Hybrid powertrain reduces fuel costs via regenerative braking.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2016 LEXUS ES — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JTHBW1GG6G2119684. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JTHBW1GG6G2119684 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Make | LEXUS |
| Model | ES |
| Trim | 300h |
| Series | GSV60L/AVV60L |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.5 |
| Horsepower | 156 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | MIYAWAKA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JTH |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 6 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | G |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | 2 |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 119684 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 8 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/30/2026, 7:49:55 AM.