Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Lexus ES350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Lexus ES350. While pulling into a parking spot at a very low speed, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Experienced three instances of unintended acceleration. The third instance of unintended acceleration was extremely dangerous and brakes would not stop the acceleration and forward momentum. Had to put the car into neutral to stop the forward movement while applying the brakes. It still took approximately 10 seconds for the throttle acceleration and spinning tires to stop. Floor mats were original Lexus installed carpet mats and checked to see they were properly installed, and they were. After the first instance of the unintended acceleration, I was diligent in ensuring my foot was in the middle of the brake pedal and not inadvertently on the accelerator. The fact that it occurred two more times, with the last instance being quite severe while I properly applied the brakes point to a problem with the electronic throttle control system. …
Our 2007 Lexus es 350 abruptly and wildly accelerated while my wife was driving on the freeway. She stood on the brakes and depressed the parking brake while moving into the slow lane and took the next exit ramp. The car finally slowed somewhat before rear ending a stopped car. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The car was towed to the Lexus dealer. Their diagnostic computer system did not "call out" any problems. They immediately blamed the floor mats. However, the floor mats were two inches away from the gas pedal. They then tried to brush me off by asking me where I wanted the car towed to get body work performed. I refused and escalated to Lexus USA. They are now trying to determine if they can find a problem. This reminds me of the Audi acceleration problem and warrants an complete and full investigation. …
Consumer request for investigation on the 2007 ES350 speed control. The consumer stated the vehicle suddenly accelerated, after attempting to apply the brakes. The unwanted acceleration caused the vehicle to crash into the highway guard rail and consequently the vehicle rolled over. The consumer suffered serious back, neck and pelvic injuries. Update (February 21, 2007): ms. Hodges said that she was traveling on I-75 for 15 minutes and the cruise control was not turned on. She was merging onto route 59 and applied the brakes. However, the vehicle not only not slowed down but actually accelerated to what she believe was 75-80 MPH. To avoid crashing the vehicles ahead, she moved from the right lane to the left lane and hit the guard rail. The vehicle rolled over and totaled. She was cited by the police but the citation was later dismissed. …
While pulling into a parking slot in a parking lot with cars on both sides and in front of my vehicle, my vehicle increased acceleration and raced forward uncontrollably. The brake was pushed to the floor board of the vehicle and had no effect on slowing down the car. The large truck in the slot in front of me was the only thing that stopped the vehicle. $87,43 damage was done to my vehicle. None to the truck that stopped my vehicle. Lexus reviewed the electronic data recorder and released a statement that the vehicle operated within specifications. Lexus allowed no one to touch the vehicle until it was inspected by there technician. Nothing was done to correct or prevent a future repeat of the life threatening acceleration surge experienced with this vehicle. …
While driving the car on the falmouth connector with the toll booth in sight, I lifted my foot from the accelerator to decelerate and suddenly the accelerator just took off. I immediately applied the brake but the car continued to try to accelerate, I then applied both feet to the brake as I tried desperately to stop the car while the front wheels were spinning and burning rubber. I tried to shut down the ignition with the pushbutton on the gear shifter and also desperately tried to move the gear shifter from drive but could not. Neither the ignition button nor the gear shifter would respond. The car continued to try to accelerate but I was able to steer the car into the snow banking off the road and it finally stalled in a black cloud of rubber and smoke. The dealer did an inspection of the car and could find nothing wrong and denied knowing of any problems. …
On February 23, 2010 at about 3 pm I was parking my 2007 Lexus ES350 in a parking space at starbucks at belgrade shopping center. When I reached the curb with my foot on the brakes I started to put the car in park and suddenly the car just took off up over the curb. I kept pressing harder and harder on the brakes with my right foot and applied the parking brake with my left foot. The car traveled up over the curb and into the grassy - wooded area beyond the parking lot. The car finally stopped. Lexus was notified and towed the vehicle to Lexus of richmond, va where the recall repairs were made. We have been afraid to drive the vehicle for fear of injury or death due to a future unexpected sudden acceleration happening again. This is the statement of [redacted] who was driving the vehicle when this event occurred.
2nd request re fax FWD on behalf of (nj) who was involved in an auto accident on 11/18/08 in her 2007 Toyota Lexus that suddenly accelerated, would like her Toyota incident recorded. When the consumer pulled into her driveway and approached the open garage door, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed. She stepped on the brake, but was unable to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck the side of the garage door opening and sent bricks flying and continued until it rammed the rear wall of the garage with great force. On the other side of the garage, was a small hall bathroom. The force of the impact of the crash knocked tile from the stall shower off the wall and bent part of the shower door frame. There was also damage to the garage walls as well as to the door entering the house from the garage. The vehicle was repaired and the consumer has since traded the vehicle.
Fax FWD on behalf of (nj) who was involved in an auto accident in on 11/18/08 in her 2007 Lexus ES350 that suddenly accelerated, would like her Toyota incident recorded when the consumer pulled into her driveway and approached the open garage door, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed. She stepped on the brake, but was unable to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck the side of the garage door opening and sent bricks flying and continued until it rammed the rear wall of the garage with great force. On the other side of the garage, was a small hall bathroom. The force of the impact of the crash knocked tile from the stall shower off the wall and bent part of the shower door frame. There was also damage to the garage walls as well as to the door entering the house from the garage. The vehicle was repaired and the consumer has since traded the vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. The contact was driving 25 MPH when she engaged the brake pedal, the vehicle surged and crashed into the back of a vehicle. The air bags caused mild injuries to the driver when they deployed. The police was called and a report was taken. The contacts insurance company paid for the vehicle to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired and it is in the contacts possession but she doesn't feel safe driving it. The contact did receive a recall notice in October concerning the floor mats. The contact informed the dealer that she did not have any floor mats in her vehicle and he stated that her vehicle was not on the recall list. The failure mileage was 33,000. The current mileage was 33,010. Updated 3/30/2010 updated 05/04/10. Updated 09/07/10 updated 10/08/10
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.
NHTSA investigations
Accessory floor mat
Complainants interviewed by odi stated that they applied the throttle pedal to accelerate the vehicle then experienced unwanted acceleration after release.subsequent (and sometimes repeated) applications of the brake pedal reduced acceleration but did not stop the vehicle.in some incidents drivers traveled significant distances (miles) at high vehicle speeds (greater than 90 MPH) before the vehicle stopped (odi…
Unwanted acceleration, floor mat
The driver side floor mat will not interfere with the throttle pedal if properly secured using the retaining hooks provided by Toyota.however, if the all weather mat is unsecured and moves forward from its intended position it can entrap the throttle pedal at the fully open position after it has been depressed.this can happen regardless of whether or not another mat (carpet) is underneath.when this occurs, some…
Unwanted and unintended acceleration
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp09-001 on April 8, 2009, to evaluate a defect petition requesting additional investigation of potential throttle control system defects unrelated to floor mat interference with accelerator pedals in model year (my) 2007 Lexus es 350 vehicles.the petitioner referenced an earlier odi investigation concerning floor mat interference with accelerator pedal return…
Acceleration complaints in other ES350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2007 Lexus ES350?
NHTSA has 126 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2007 Lexus ES350, 27% of the model year's 465 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Lexus ES350 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-388 (accelerator pedal, Oct 5, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Lexus ES350 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 46 crashes, 3 fires and 35 injuries and 4 deaths to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.