Consumer Reports Flags Lexus ES and GS Boot Release Handles for Safety Risk
Consumer Reports found that the emergency trunk release handles in 2013 Lexus ES and GS saloons can snap off, raising the risk of someone becoming trapped inside.
Consumer Reports has identified a safety issue with the 2013 Lexus ES and GS saloons after discovering that their emergency boot release handles can break off under force, potentially trapping occupants inside. The finding came during the magazine’s evaluation of the models, when a child testing the release lever in an ES 350 managed to snap it, leaving him unable to exit the boot without outside help.
The incident involved the 4-year-old son of Jake Fisher, director of vehicle testing at Consumer Reports, who attempted to use the interior emergency release. According to Fisher, the child’s small hands broke the handle, and he remained trapped until the boot was opened from outside. Further tests on the ES hybrid and GS 350 models revealed that the release handles could also snap when pulled in a certain direction, particularly towards the driver’s side.
The emergency boot release is a required safety feature in all new cars with a separate boot sold in the United States from the 2012 model year onwards. The lever, which glows in the dark, is designed to allow a person to escape if accidentally locked inside. Consumer Reports stated that it notified both Toyota and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the problem.
Toyota’s response and investigation
Toyota Motor Sales responded that it was investigating both the durability and ergonomics of the emergency boot release lever on the affected Lexus models. The company did not confirm whether a recall or modification would follow but acknowledged the report and said it would review the findings.
Implications for owners and safety standards
Owners of 2013 Lexus ES and GS saloons may be concerned about the reliability of the emergency boot release, especially for families with children. While there have been no reported injuries, the ease with which the handle can break raises questions about compliance with the intent of US safety standards, which aim to make accidental entrapment unlikely or quickly escapable.
At the time of the Consumer Reports findings, neither Toyota nor the NHTSA had announced a recall or formal investigation. The issue highlights the importance of not only fitting mandatory safety equipment but also ensuring it operates reliably under real-world use, particularly in family-oriented saloon models like the Lexus ES and GS.
What happens next
Toyota’s investigation may lead to design changes or a recall if a widespread defect is confirmed. Owners concerned about the emergency boot release are advised to contact their dealer or Lexus customer service for the latest information. Any update from NHTSA or Toyota would be expected to clarify whether a formal safety action will follow.
