AI DamageLexus HS 250 Hybrid: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Lexus HS 250 Hybrid across 4 model years: 79 owner complaints and 17 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 39% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 28% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- Suspension: 31 complaints (39% of all).
- Service brakes: 22 complaints (28% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (19% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electronic stability control: 6 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 5 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 79 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 3 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 4 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Pulling in to a parking spot, I applied the brakes and the brakes failed causing the car to drive through a fence, small bush and an outdoor staircase. My speed was under 10 miles an hour.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained whiplash, concussion to the head, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to eskridge lexus collision center ([address], oklahoma city, [ZIP], phone: [phone]).
I hit the brakes and I had absolutely no brakes. There was a semi coming in the right lane who could not avoid hitting me. The impact resulted in me doing a 360, jumping a curb and going down into a ravine. I kept hitting the brakes trying to get them to engage and nothing.
After the park brake button was engaged, the vehicle independently rolled away. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a toe injury that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed.
According to the consumer's wife, the accident was caused by sudden acceleration. As she was slowly turning right into a parking spot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a brick building. The force of the crash caused the air bags to deploy.
My accident was caused by unintended acceleration. As I was slowly turning right into a parking place, the car suddenly accelerated and crashed into a brick building. The force of the crash caused the air bags to deploy. There was so much damage to the car that it was a total loss.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- TSB
- POL
- Leather Care Best Practices
- Brake Pedal Force Gauge SST for Parking Brake Inspection
- POL
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- TI
- TI
- TSB
- TSB
- TSB
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.