Lexus ES350 Problems by Year

We compared every Lexus ES350 model year from 2007–2021 using 1,362 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 11 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009 and 2010, which drew far more complaints than other ES350 years at the same age. The best years are 2018, 2014 and 2015.

15model years
1,362complaints
11recalls
2007, 2008worst years
2018, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’214652551451371538923161621225555
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus ES350. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20215−65%—Wheel & TireGood
20205−71%1AirbagGood
20195−80%2Fuel SystemGood
20185−91%2AccelerationGood
201722−79%1Window & WiperGood
201621−80%1BrakeGood
201516−84%1BrakeGood
201416−84%1Fuel SystemGood
201323−78%1Window & WiperGood
201289typical3AirbagAverage
20111532.7×3AirbagAvoid
20101372.4×5AirbagAvoid
20091452.5×5AirbagAvoid
20082553.6×4AirbagAvoid
20074654.9×4AirbagAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median ES350 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lexus ES350 problems

Latest Lexus ES350 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-682 · Nov 4, 2020 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-012 · Jan 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…

All 11 Lexus ES350 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus ES350 should you avoid?

2007, 2008, 2011, 2009 and 2010 — these years have the most complaints relative to other ES350 years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2007.

What is the best year for the Lexus ES350?

2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other ES350 years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lexus ES350 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (803), speed control & acceleration (212) and body & structure (77). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Lexus ES350 had?

11 recalls across 2007–2021. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Lexus ES350 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.