CT (ZWA10)
Engine Reliability Ratings
2ZR-FXE+3JM
1.8L 4-cyl / 98 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
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.
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
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.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Lexus CT regardless of engine variant.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2011-2017 Lexus CT problems?
The 2011-2017 Lexus CT has accumulated 158 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Engine, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Lexus CT engine is most reliable?
The 2011-2017 Lexus CT was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.8L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2011-2017 Lexus CT a good used car?
The 2011-2017 Lexus CT can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 158 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2017 Lexus CT have?
The 2011-2017 Lexus CT has 158 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2011-2017 Lexus CT?
There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2011-2017 Lexus CT vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Lexus CT?
Before buying a used Lexus CT, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Engine, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 158 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.