CT (ZWA10)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2ZR-FXE+3JM
1.8L 4-cyl / 98 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Lexus CT Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2011-2017 Lexus CT
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 8 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2012] 1) A LIGHT IN A DASHBOARD CAME ON SAYING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM", I TOOK IT TO THE LEXUS DEALER , THEY CHANGED THE NON HYBRID BATTERY), CHARGED ME $350 FOR IT AND RESET THE COMPUTER. 2) A WEEK AFTER, THE LIGHT STARTED APPEARING AGAIN WITH THE SAME MESSAGE, THE MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE MORNING, IN THE WAY BACK HOME, COMING OUT OF THE SPEEDWAY , ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD CAME OFF (BRAKES, ENGI
- [2014] Engine rattles due to head gasket failure and subsequently stops working and defaults to “service hybrid system” this can occur while driving and cause a collision.
- [2015] The following two events happened during the first week of April 2024 EVENT #1: While driving at 65 MPH on a freeway, the car decelerated and failed to travel above 40 MPH. Simultaneously, three warming lights appeared on the dash: a yellow triangle, the check engine light and a "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" warning. EVENT # 2: Same symptoms and dash displays as event number one while traveling at 40
Thermal Events
- [2011] I EXPERIENCED LOUD ENGINE VIBRATION AT COLD STARTS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN I STARTED SEEING WHITE SMOKE FROM MY TAILPIPE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO LEXUS RIVER-CENTER, COVINGTON, KY, ON 14FEB19 TO COMPLETE TSB L-SB-0004-13 WHICH REPLACES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH A NEW PART NUMBER. THE VIBRATIONS AND WHITE SMOKE SEEMED TO BE REMEDIED; HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER, 22FEB19, WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY ON-RAMP,
- [2014] WE NOTICED A FUEL SPILL UNDER CAR AS WE PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY. BROUGHT CAR INTO LEXUS DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD US THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAD NOT NOTICED ANYTHING UNUSUAL IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE FUEL TANK IS EXPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND IS MADE OF PLASTIC. THE
Electric Propulsion
- [2012] COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN BOTH THE GAS ENGINE AND IN THE HYBRID ELECTRIC ENGINE WHILE GOING 70 MPH,BOTH THE ALARM SYSTEMS-AUDIBLE AND DASH WENT OFF. WITH NO POWER I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT CRASHING THE CAR. *TR
- [2013] ON 9/13/2019 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WHILE APPLYING BRAKES ON AN UNEVEN/POTHOLED CITY ROAD SURFACE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS LOSS OF BRAKING POWER NEARLY RESULTED IN COLLISION. THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT UNTIL NOW HAS NOT RESULTED IN A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I DISCOVERED THAT DRIVERS OF BOTH THE CT200H AND PR
Regenerative Braking
- [2013] ON 9/13/2019 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WHILE APPLYING BRAKES ON AN UNEVEN/POTHOLED CITY ROAD SURFACE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS LOSS OF BRAKING POWER NEARLY RESULTED IN COLLISION. THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT UNTIL NOW HAS NOT RESULTED IN A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I DISCOVERED THAT DRIVERS OF BOTH THE CT200H AND PR
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lexus CT, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2011-2017 Lexus CT
On a used 2011-2017 Lexus CT, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (54), the engine (42) and the electrical system (24). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Lexus CT about the brakes.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Lexus CT about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Lexus CT about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Lexus CT about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 5 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Lexus CT about the wheels and tires.
Recalls (1)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.
Alternatives in Compact Hatchback
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2011-2017 Lexus CT complaints?
Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2017 Lexus CT. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2011-2017 Lexus CT a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2017 Lexus CT. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2017 Lexus CT have?
NHTSA has 156 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2017 Lexus CT as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2011-2017 Lexus CT?
NHTSA lists 1 recall covering some 2011-2017 Lexus CT vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Lexus CT?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the CT have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2011-2017 Lexus CT. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 156 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.