2009 Lexus ES350 Problems & Complaints

Most common 2009 Lexus ES350 problems

• Air bags~43,000 miles
  10170%
• Speed control & acceleration~16,000 miles
  2417%
• Electrical system~20,000 miles
  53%
• Brakes~4,000 miles
  53%
• Body & structure~55,000 miles
  53%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~20,000 miles
  43%
• Fuel & propulsion system~15,000 miles
  32%
• Other / not specified~72,000 miles
  21%
• Lights~20,000 miles
  21%
• Wheels & tires~1,000 miles
  11%
• Transmission & drivetrain~40,000 miles
  11%
• Locks & latches
  11%

Share of the 145 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Lexus ES350 complaints by model year

Best ES350 years: 2018, 2014, 2015. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009, 2010. Compare all years →

2009 Lexus ES350 recalls (5)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2009 Lexus ES350:

What 2009 Lexus ES350 owners say

Air bags all 101 →

Recall notice sent out on May 21, 2016 stated that we "should not drive with anyone in the front passenger seat" until the fix for the recall is complete. It is now November 11, 2016 and there are no fix statements nor any hint when our vehicle (located in houston, tx) will be scheduled for a repair. Driving with the restriction of not using the front passenger seat is extremely inconvenient as we use the car for clients. Lexus dealers state that they have no idea when the repairs can be made and Lexus corporate simply said to contact a dealer for a loaner car, which they refuse to do when contacted. While we recognize that this is a dangerous situation, the excessive time required to come up with a fix is unacceptable to the American public and unconscionable behavior by the manufacturer.

Failure of airbags to deploy in a head-on collision on October 24, 2009 involving my 2009 Lexus es 350. Damage estimates from the involved insurance company total over $15,000.00 for all frontal damage which intrudes into the engine compartment. Estimates which are over $15000.00 indicate that the airbag sensors are being replaced, but there is no charge indicated for the sensor replacement which Lexus is probably doing at no charge. This means that the damage of $15,000.00 are for parts and work other than that involving the front airbag sensors replacement. Injuries sustained by front seat passengers. Driver is being treated for a closed head injury/concussion and passenger is being evaluated for concerns of dizziness, right hip pain and a possible neck injury.

Speed control & acceleration all 24 →

My wife and I experienced an uncontrollable runaway of our new (3 weeks old and less than 200 miles) Lexus es-350 car on 09/27/2009. The car was totaled. At time, both police and ambulance were called. And we were sent to the nearby shady grove hospital for checkup and treatments. Initially, I thought it could be because I mistakenly pressed the gas pedal, instead of the brake, when I tried to slow down the car preparing to make a left-hand turn onto rt. 28. Now, after I read all the recent Toyota/Lexus accident news reports, which specifically involved the Lexus es series, I begin to belief it wasn't the case. And in fact, it was an uncontrollable runaway car, at the time. Because otherwise I would have naturally slowed down the car at the intersection and prepared to make the turn. …

Petition for a defect investigation into low-speed surging in different models of Toyota automobiles in which the car starts accelerating and the engine RPM increases when accelerator is not depressed. The consumer stated on February 13, 2015, his wife was driving to an appointment. She pulled into the parking lot and did not have her foot on the brake pedal as she was coasting into the parking spot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated. Big bushes in front of the vehicle limited the speed, so his wife turned off the ignition and the vehicle fell back. A witness saw the entire even and attested to the fact the engine suddenly started roaring. The front of the vehicle was smashed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene and subsequently inspected by a representative of the manufacturer. …

Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while parked the she noticed flames coming from the front drivers side door. The contact used a piece of clothing to put out the fire. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. The contact sustained burns to her left wrist and hand. As a result, the contact had to undergo surgery. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The cause of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Lexus 2009, model ES350. All windows and sunroof open by themselves at the same time at different occaisons. Vehicle has been brought and left at keyes Lexus in van nuys, ca. Numerous times to correct from beginning of my purchase. They failed to correct the problem to this date after promissing to do so. The danger exists if this happens while driving, it could cause an accident.

2009 Lexus ES350 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.