I was driving my 2011 Lexus CT 200h and while driving my vehicle abruptly came to a stop in the middle of the road posing a safety risk to me and my passengers without warning. Up until this time, I had not received any "Check Engine" lights or any indication of failing units. At the time my car suddenly stopped, my gauge read 1/4 tank full. I was forced to call for roadside assistance and had to wait hours for a tow truck. Once transported for repair, the technician claimed it was a failed fuel tank sending unit that caused my car to stalled suddenly in the street. However, after researching other similar issues/instances I believe the sudden engine stall on a Lexus hybrid is almost certainly caused by an issue with the fuel pump or another critical fuel system component, not the sending unit resulting in this severe safety concern.
Lexus CT check engine light comes on
14 of the 149 owner complaints about the Lexus CT describe check engine light, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2013
By model year
- 20151
- 20142
- 20136
- 20122
- 20113
Often reported together
Misfire 7ABS 4Shudder 3Overheating 2Brake failure 2Warning lights 1Stalling 1Key fob 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0301 2C1391 2P0607 1P0304 1P0303 1P0302 1P0300 1
What owners say
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 .
common problem with these Lexus ct200h, as well as Toyota Prius V models, are that the brake accumulators begin to leak internally, as they share the same part numbers. Therefore, the actuator will buzz every few seconds trying to keep pressure in the braking system to a safe operating level of gas pressure to no avail due to this leak in the actuator. After it quits buzzing from shutting the car off, you can hear the air leak hissing the pressure away. There are tons and tons of articles on this issue online as this is a major safety concern. Many have had Toyota replace the part free of charge as well due to the extended 10 year, or 150k miles, in whichever comes first. warranty. This may be perhaps because there are several more prius on the road than this rare Lexus CT200H. Just look up “c1391 danger” and see what comes up. In my opinion, as well as many, it is pathetic that an issue in which endangers the lives of others due this brake failure is not further addressed. There is Not much stopping distances when and after this suddenly occurs. In the process, the abs, traction control, brake, a yellow exclamation mark, lights suddenly all come on the dash at once and the brake feels like a sponge very suddenly, as it did me as I was driving today. There were no engine lights as I started my drive. There are no external brake fluid leaks involved for this actuator. Toyota covers it under extended warranty, although it appears as though Lexus does not, this is a major safety hazard and concern. The trouble code is.: C1391. Also, I went to Sewell Lexus of Dallas today and was told there are no recalls, after looking my vin #. The service program had expired and there is nothing they can do for me. Please extend the program or issue a recall for this dangerous failure. The repair cost is substantial and should be covered for a known flaw.
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus CT200H. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and brake warning light and check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake booster and brake booster pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.
My 2011-2013 Lexus CT200h exhibits malfunction indicator lamp illumination for the brake, ABS, and traction control systems, accompanied by diagnostic trouble code C1391. Research indicates this is a known manufacturing defect, and I possess documentation from the customer support program confirming coverage for this issue in vehicles of this model year. However, the Lexus dealership and service advisors refuse to acknowledge this coverage and saying that it is expired. Therefore, I require guidance on how to proceed with resolving this matter.
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???
Engine started misfiring recently at engine cold start and from hybrid transition to engine startup. Engine light came on with reports codes P0302 and P0304. Additionally, another error code P0607 also was detected. Had a certified mechanic assess the car and replaced the four coils for the CT200h. No change in issue. New issue developed this past Monday with an engine temperature light flashing on. Stopped and put a half liter in the coolant reservoir. Engine temperature light did not come back on. Took the car to a certified mechanic and told him to pressure test the coolant system. The mechanic confirmed the head gasket is blown. In the Lexus CT200h online forum there is a clear and compelling case that the EGR malfunctioned and directly contributed to the head gasket blowing. This car has approximately 128,000 miles. I would encourage you to read the Lexus CT 200h forum.
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 miles up a hill.
I had the recommended 100,000 mile service done on my car at approx 106,000 miles. At aprox 109,500 miles I checked my oil after noticing my passenger headlight was out and I would be putting a new one in. When I went through the procedure for checking the oil it wasn’t even showing any oil on the dipstick. After reattempting the procedure and checking to make sure I was on level ground still no oil on the dipstick. It took 2 1/2 quarts to get it to the recommended level. I’m at 110,600 today and again the oil was very low registering between 1/8-1/4 Inchon the bottom of the dipstick. There are no oil spots in my two regular spots between my home and my job and my car does not smoke and has never shown a check engine light and has no stored DTC’s. I’m scheduling an oil change this coming week and I will alert the Service Manager about the problem. I purchased the car used in January from Carvana.
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.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Lexus CT check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Lexus CT?
Owners who report it most often also describe misfire or rough idle, abs light or abs activating and shudder or vibration when accelerating, and the codes they mention most are P0301, C1391 and P0607.
Which Lexus CT years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (6 complaints), 2011 (3 complaints) and 2012 (2 complaints).
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