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Campaign 15V728 Posted November 3, 2015 30,812 units

2013-2015 Lexus ES/Avalon Recall 15V728: PCS Brakes

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 31, 2026

Recall 15V728 affects 30,812 2013-2015 Lexus Es Hybrid, ES350, Avalon Hybrid and Avalon vehicles for unexpected PCS braking. Repair is free at a franchised Lexus dealer.

Lexus is recalling 30,812 2013-2015 ES350, Es Hybrid, Avalon, and Avalon Hybrid vehicles with optional Pre-Collision System equipment because the system can mistake steel roadway joints or plates for objects and apply the brakes. Unexpected braking increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Lexus makes it available.

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What's wrong?

The Pre-Collision System on these 2013-2015 Lexus Es Hybrid, ES350, Avalon Hybrid, and Avalon vehicles uses radar to watch the road ahead. Its normal job is to help detect an object in the vehicle's path and apply braking when the system reads a crash as imminent. It is an added safety system, separate from the brake pedal, but it can command the brakes.

On affected vehicles, the radar can read a steel joint or steel plate in the roadway as an object. When that happens, the system can activate when the driver is not expecting it and apply the brakes. The problem is not the foundation brakes themselves. It is the crash-imminent braking logic reacting to certain roadway metal as if it were something in front of the vehicle.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner would notice the problem only when the Pre-Collision System activates unexpectedly and the vehicle brakes without a real obstacle ahead.

Who's affected?

Covers ES Hybrid, ES350, Avalon Hybrid, and Avalon across 2013-2015, all tied to crash imminent braking.

2013 Lexus Es Hybrid Crash imminent braking
2014 Lexus ES350 Crash imminent braking
2015 Lexus Es Hybrid Crash imminent braking
2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Crash imminent braking
2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Crash imminent braking
Units affected30,812

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.

What's the safety risk?

Unexpected braking can surprise the driver and increase the risk of a crash, especially in traffic or while turning. If your vehicle brakes when you did not press the pedal, pull over safely and arrange dealer service before driving farther. Repair will be free at any franchised Lexus dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Lexus Es Hybrid, ES350, Avalon Hybrid, or Avalon is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Lexus customer service at 1-888-270-9371 to confirm repair timing for your VIN before scheduling dealer work.
  3. Ask a franchised Lexus dealer about the free PCS component replacement that fixes unexpected automatic braking from the radar system.
  4. Reference recall number 15V728 when you call, and mention Lexus campaign numbers F1V and F2E if the dealer asks.
  5. Bring the recall notice if you have it. Until the repair is complete, leave extra following distance and be ready for unexpected braking.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Lexus technician will replace the affected Pre-Collision System components once the repair is available. The covered PCS parts are the components tied to the unexpected brake activation issue described in recall 15V728. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm that the vehicle has the optional PCS equipment before the repair order is opened.

Timeline

November 3, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
July 28, 2016 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V728?

Recall 15V728 covers 30,812 2013-2015 Lexus Es Hybrid, ES350, Avalon Hybrid, and Avalon vehicles equipped with optional Pre-Collision System equipment. In NHTSA campaign 15V728, the system can unexpectedly apply the brakes after radar detects a steel joint or plate in the road as an object.

What should I do if my 2013-2015 Lexus Es Hybrid, ES350, Avalon Hybrid, or Avalon is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V728. If it is, contact a franchised Lexus dealer and ask for the PCS component replacement under this recall. Reference recall 15V728 or Lexus campaign numbers F1V and F2E when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 15V728 is free. The dealer will replace the affected Pre-Collision System components without charging for parts or labor.

What is the safety risk in recall 15V728?

The safety risk is unexpected braking. NHTSA campaign 15V728 says a vehicle that brakes unexpectedly has an increased risk of a crash, especially if the driver behind it has little time to react. The free repair replaces affected PCS components.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The recall still follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013-2015 vehicle is included in recall 15V728, then contact a franchised Lexus dealer for the free PCS component replacement.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V728000
Lexus customer service1-888-270-9371
NHTSA recall #15V728
NHTSA recall # (full)15V728000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →