Lexus ES350 years to avoid (and the best years)
477 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls across 8 model years, 2010 to 2017. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 477complaints
- 9recalls
- 39reported crashes
- 2reported fires
- 28reported injuries
Which Lexus ES350 years should you avoid?
No Lexus ES350 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Lexus ES350 year has 22 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2011 (153), 2010 (137) and 2012 (89).
What are the best Lexus ES350 years?
The Lexus ES350 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2015 (16), 2014 (16) and 2016 (21). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 22 | 1.0× | 1 | 8 | 5 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2016 | 21 | 0.9× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2015 | 16 | 0.7× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2014 | 16 | 0.7× | 1 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2013 | 23 | 1.0× | 1 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2012 | 89 | 4.0× | 3 | 3 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2011 | 153 | 6.8× | 3 | 7 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 137 | 6.1× | 5 | 10 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 294 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts240 (82%)
- Other systems22 (7%)
- Engine & powertrain10 (3%)
- Electrical & infotainment7 (2%)
- Brakes7 (2%)
Recalls (9)
Airbags · 19V741000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V005000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V024000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 17V415000 · Jun 2017 · model year 2017
If the lock nut loosens, the tie rod may separate causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V006000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V340000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Brakes · 16V198000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V728000 · Nov 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 09V388000 · Oct 2009 · model year 2010
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.