I don't believe that. The head tech guy and my self paired my Samsung convoy 3 to a 2013 ES350 non hybrid. The phone worked in that car.

The Nav system is different in the hybrid and the BT firmware cannot be updated.

After seeing all of this first hand, I think they have some engineering issues.

I call Lexus today and made an official complaint, not that it do any good.

 

The nav system is exactly the same in the hybrid and non hybrid. Why would it be different? Why would they design two systems for the same vehicle?

I've owned four Toyota/Lexus vehicles with nav and bluetooth. A 2004 Lexus LS430, a 2004 Toyota Prius, a 2010 Lexus ES350 and a 2013 Lexus GS350. All of them have had basically the same bluetooth system/setup and the same basic nav system.

Something more serious is wrong with the system in your ES, or you need to talk to a different dealer.

I've never had any issues pairing any phone to any Toyota/Lexus bluetooth system.

 

The Nav looks the same but it's not. The Hybrid is different. Confirmed by Lexus

 

Lexus corporate called today, Confirmed an agreed there are no current flip phones that will work in the ES300H from Verizon. They are putting their efforts into smart phones.

Unbelievable but so true.

Their offer to compensate me is an insult.

 

I'm not buying it, that just doesn't make any sense. They'll tell you a lot of things to get you to go away.

I can't say I really blame them. Smartphones have overwhelmingly overtaken normal phones in market share, it only makes sense that their efforts are going to go towards integrating smart phones...thats the future.

What doesn't make sense is why a simple flip phone wouldn't just pair up and work to talk on...

Sounds to me like you need to get a smartphone.

 

There are different versions of bluetooth and the older razor/flip phones may not be on the latest versions or at least not up to the version required by the Lexus system. The most current version is Bluetooth Smart (v4.0). In the specs of the Nav/Info system it probably says what BT version it is compatible with. I agree that there is likely nothing different in the nav systems between the 350 and 300h. The cars are the same except for powertrains and some minor body and undercarriage differences based on the powertrains.

Edit: There are apparently versions higher than 4.0. This is in the 2013 Es350/ES300h user guide for BT Audio Players (not the same as phone I know, but there will be standards for phones too)
■Compatible models
●Bluetooth® specifications:
Ver. 1.1, or higher (Recommended: Ver. 1.2)
●Following profiles:
• A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) Ver. 1.0, or higher (Conformed:
Ver. 1.2)
• AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) Ver. 1.0 or higher (Conformed:
Ver. 1.3)
Portable players must correspond to the above specifications in order to be connected
to the Bluetooth® audio system. However, please note that some functions
may be limited depending on the type of portable player.

 

Here are the BT requirements for phones from the 2013 ES350/ES300H: PHONE OPERATION section of the user manual. You should check the BT version of your phone for compatibility.

● This system supports the following services:
• Bluetooth® Specification
Ver.1.1 or higher
(Recommended: Ver.2.1 + EDR or
higher)
• Profiles
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
Ver.1.0 or higher
(Recommended: Ver.1.5 or higher)
OPP (Object Push Profile)
Ver.1.1 or higher
PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile)
Ver.1.0 or higher
MAP (Message Access Profile)
Ver.1.0 or higher
SPP (Serial Port Profile)
Ver.1.1 or higher*
● If your cellular phone does not support
HFP, registering the Bluetooth® phone
or using OPP, PBAP, MAP or SPP profiles
individually will not be possible.
● If the connected Bluetooth® phone version
is older than recommended or
incompatible, this function may not be
used.
● Refer to http://www.lexus.com/ to find
approved Bluetooth® phones for this system.

There are not separate BT specifications for the hybrid vs the 350.

 

Well, specs are one thing, real world is different. I personally tried these phone with 2013 Hybrid and and they did not work. The we tried on a 2013 ES350 and they worked.

Lexus corporate agreed and confirmed our findings.

So my older (new old stock works)

But beware as of now Verizon does not sell a flip phone that will work on the ES300H

 

I've just heard too much BS from "Lexus corporate" over the years to believe anything they say. My money is still on your dealer doing something wrong when pairing the phones. There is just no evidence or logic that supports the idea that the ES300h and the ES350 have different phone systems.

 

Not the same, see this

We found the same problem with 2 other hybrids. My phones will work with a non Hybrid 2013 ES350.
Bottom line is the Hybrid BT firmware cannot be flashed. So if the phone you have is not listed on the Lexsu BT as being tested it will not work.

 

Well, no only did the Dealer and his techs, but I paired the phone as well.

I am sure most of us here know how to pair a BT device to a Lexus.
My Engineering degree was not on play for this. My kids could do it.

 

That just doesn't make any sense.

 

No it does not, but true.

Lexus knows it to.

 

I have a 2012 CT 200h and my Verison flip phone won,t pair with my car also, the phone says it is paired but the car just keeps searching.

 

Well my 3 year old Nokia 6750 flip works fine as well as my wife's basic Consumer Cellular $28.00 Motorola flip. Both paired, both work fine. Both are non-Verizon phones. I think it's something else...