2013 Lexus CT: check engine light

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Driving down the 99Freeway at speeds approx. Up to 72mph, my abs,traction, and brake lights illuminated at the same time on my dash. I pushed on my brake pedal in order to slow down and pull over, my brake pedal was extremely hard to push in and no matter how hard I pushed it didn't appear to be slowing the vehicle down. I pushed on the emergency brake slowly to help slow down safely and was able to get pulled over. I turned the car off and proceeded to call a friend for help. My friend suggested that I start the vehicle back up and see if I was comfortable enough to continuing to drive it to get myself off of the freeway, which I did. Then when I got off the freeway, I noticed all the lights had gone off and the car felt like it was driving normal again. I proceeded home. The following day my check engine light came on saying to check hybrid system. After being informed to clear the check engine to reset everything my car seemed fine. Then approximately 3 weeks later the abs, traction and brake light came back on and I had difficulty braking. This time and alarm started beeping inside my car as well, the check engine light saying traction battery is not charging and my vehicle does not want to stop. I've been researching different forums online and I'm seeing a numerous amount of other Toyota and Lexus owners with very similar complaints with their cars as well. I've replaced my brake pads, replaced my 12v battery and key fob battery as well. So far I still have no brakes and this is my only vehicle so I'm really hoping this turns out to be a recall or something cause I can't afford to do the repairs .

Filed Jun 29, 2024 · Engine · CA

Early morning cold start in open loop engine starts to rattle and knock. Cleaned out EGR system, including intake manifold. Engine still rattles and knocks. Swapped out ignition coils and fuel injectors with new still and still the same thing. DTC sets after a week of troubleshooting for P0303, P0301, and P0300. Switched cylinder ignition coils and fuel injectors from cylinder 1 to 2 and 3 to 4. Same DTC sets after drive cycle. Leak down test confirms cylinder 3 has head gasket leak. Registration was just paid and was going to have it smog test. Unable to pass smog due to check engine light. I had went to Lexus dealer to have them update my car for EGR update according to TSB (see attachment) but they wouldn’t do it unless I pay $300 SMFH!!! What a day! Which engineer suggested this stupid design?!?! And wtf the EGR cooler, more like a heater, has coolant running into housing which raises the engine coolant temp. Exhaust gas may go up to a temp of 600 degrees!! Look at live data and monitor catalyst temp from OBD2. This design was to intentionally cause a head gasket failure. Blades in EGR cooler gets clogged with carbon build up, where carbon will eventually break up into chunks/pebbles that will cause pre-ignition during compression stroke, pinging the engine which will result in misfires and damage the catalyst. One of the worst designs I’ve ever encountered as a car owner. This is ridiculous that this issue has been brought up countless times from thousands of testimony’s of same incident but not even a single word for these models. CT200h and Prius years 2012-2015 have this same dam problem and everyone knows this, even the CA BAR(Bureau of automotive repair). What is it that we as car owners, who abide by the law, and pay our fair share of taxes gets this “setup to fail” deal???

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Engine · 146,000 miles · CA

Water pump failed causing the coolant to flood a cylinder. Leading to a head gasket blowing out. It also warped the head block. The vehicle was sitting in the garage and during a cold morning start. The engine had a misfire and check engine light came on. The engine started up with a violent shake and white smoke exited out from the tail pipe and engine bay clouding up the garage. During a drive the engine with sputter when driving. Then goes away after you give it enough gas. Coolant would drain even though it's topped off.

Filed Oct 18, 2019 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

The engine constantly rattled/shudders violently upon initial start and randomly shakes violently on the road while driving causing me to have to veer off the road every time it violently shakes, check engine light is on. Lexus dealership reported random engine cylinder misfires; and a three-day physical observation after the intake manifold removal shows: unexplained internal coolant leak. Collant leaking into cylinder 4. Cylinder 1 also wet and muddy looking. And due to the high cost of forecasted repairs and parts replacement which could either be the cylinder $4k or an entirely new engine 17k if the cylinder replacement fails to remedy the issue. No lexus engine should fail like this, it's a hybrid with hybrid technology, it relies on battery half the time. An engine from luxury brank like lexus should last longer than 125k miles. This car is a lemon. Numerous prius and lexus owners having this same issue. I have been a loyal lexus consumer for 15 years. Apparently lexus received j.d. Power and associate's most dependable vehicle award for the 7th year in a row for 2019 and ranked highest overall among all other luxury car brands' not with my lexus, it's junk and unsafe! Extremely disappointed, lexus!

Filed May 1, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · CA

The engine constantly rattled/shudders violently upon initial start for about 20-30 seconds, and check engine light is on. Driving, acceleration, and fuel economy has decreased/worsened. A mechanic in santa monica stated that the obd readings show random engine's cylinders misfires; and a three-day physical observation after the intake manifold removal shows: unexplained coolant oil contamination issues, oil mixed with coolant at expansion tank, raw fuel on cylinders, fuel blow by, and repeated spark plugs burning after each replacement. And due to the high cost of forecasted repairs and parts replacement, the technicians recommended replacing the whole engine unit. We're extremely disappointed, lexus!

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Engine · 133,000 miles · CA

Violent shudder/shaking of the engine. When the ct200h is stationary or in motion the engine periodically shakes violently sometimes up to 30 seconds then it goes away. It happened on cold or hot starts. The egr has been cleaned from carbon build up, has new spark plugs and coils are good. I have lately been noticing coolant loss. Numerous prius and lexus owners having this same issue. Check engine light finally came on with code p0301 "cylinder 1 misfire."