Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. After the vehicle was placed into the park position, it independently reversed without warning. The contact was struck by the front driver side door, which caused the vehicle to stop. The contact sustained a fractured right foot that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where failure codes were found for the transmission computerized system and transmission drive train. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 220,000.
The transmission slips between gears. When you are driving the car will not accelerate or decelerate for about 20 seconds. It's extremely dangerous because you lose your ability to avoid dangerous situation. Toyota is aware of the problem, but refuses to issue a recall.
I purchased a 2007 ES350 Lexus April 20, 2007. The transmissions began surging and flaring up on the RPM's when accelerating, the gas mileage dropped to 14 miles a gallon in July 2007. I brought the car to the dealer and the first time they upgraded the computer software and replaced a chip. On August 16, 2007 the transmission started revving up and shifting hard and a rattle developed in the roof. The dealer put a whole new transmission in the car that time and took the sunroof apart because a part was loose. The same day, the car started doing the same thing on the way home from work and I took it back to the dealer. I filed a complaint with Lexus USA and they would not offer anything other then putting a third transmission in the car. …
The floor mats on my Lexus 350 caused the accelerator to stick in a depressed position resulting in a high rate of speed. Fortunately for me I was able to figure it out. For a moment I had the impression that I did not have breaks. This must get fixed or there will be deaths. The reason for this is due to a number of factors. 1) the floor mat was not fastened to the car using the clips. I had just washed the car and I was unable to fasten the floor mats into the clips. The design of the clips is poor. 2) the floor mat slid forward. 3) when the floormat slid forward it caused a situation that when the accelerator is depressed the accelerator gets caught under the leading edge of the floor mat. You cannot lift the accelerator up because the floor mat is preventing it from coming up. 3) the floor mat has to be pulled away from the accelerator in order that the accelerator is released. …
My Lexus es 350 recently had flare problems with my transmission. There is a bulletin out by Lexus which suggest the car's transmission will flare between 3rd and 4th gear. However, what they don't tell you is that the car's transmission will flare, but in my case, take off on its own. In short, early morning I was driving to work and my car's transmission flared and suddenly took off with out me doing anything. Basically, I had to put both feet on my breaks and stand on my breaks to keep the car from crashing into another car. Luckily, I remembered to hit the off button on my car to keep it from ramming into another car. I have never experienced anything likes this before having a car suddenly surge forward with all 8000 rpms blazing. My wife would of never been able to stop this car if she was driving. …
I purchased the car with a certified pre-owned warranty as I did with two other Lexus that I have owned. Shortly afterward I noticed that when I slowed down to stop at the top a steep hill the car would suddenly lurch forward and I had to apply the brake to stop the car. I went to the dealer and took a ride with the service manager with a laptop attached to the car. I duplicated the problem. The dealer said the problem was that the transmission has a problem shifting from 4th to first gear .the dealer applied some computer updates. Afterward, the problem lurching was still the same. I took the car back to Lexus and duplicated the problem with them again. They did another update but the problem was still the same. The dealer brought in a tech rep from Lexus. …
I purchased a new 2007 lexux ES350 on April 12, 2007. In a right hand turn, the vehicle severely oversteered. Immediately the check engine light came on, with an error message to check vsc. As a result I returned the vehicle to the smithtown Lexus service department on apr. 19, 2007 with 244 miles on the odometer. They took over twenty-four hours to diagnose the fault. They allege that the failure is the result of a defective sensor in the transmission. Although I have requested corroboration of the cause from a Lexus factory representative and confirmation of the inability to obtain a replacement part for a week, and inspection of the defective part as removed from the vehicle none of these requests have been met as of April 25, 2007. As the defect is a safety related issue of vehicle stability I am concerned that the car poses a potential safety hazard to the public.
Vehicle: Lexus ES350 - 2007 problem: when backing up out of the driveway or onto a busy street, the car stalls when shifted into drive. The computer resets itself which could be 5 seconds and the car needs to be restarted or enough time to be crashed into. I have had three near misses as the car stalled when backed up onto a busy road. The problem has happened to both myself and wife, so it is driver independent. The Lexus dealer said there is no fix. They claim the software is either a yes or no for reverse or forward and the "roll" between the two can not be interpreted causing the vehicle to stall. This is extremely concerning due to the near miss accidents. I understand it is a problem with the es and is. The problem is very intermittent, but has occurred 6 times within my 3 years of ownership.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH when the vehicle stability control (vsc) warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer was notified and advised the contact that there were no failures. The identical failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the technician was unable to detect an error code related to the failure; although, the transmission needed to be replaced. After the transmission was replaced the vehicle stability control (vsc) warning indicator continued to illuminate. The contact notified the manufacturer who stated that no investigation would be performed since the dealer reported that there were no failures. The failure mileage was 75,000. The current mileage was 89,000.
Transmission complaints in other ES350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Lexus ES350?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Lexus ES350, 7% of the model year's 465 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Lexus ES350 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Lexus ES350, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Lexus ES350 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 8 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.