FaultScore

Lexus ES body problems

74 of the 862 complaints filed about the Lexus ES are about the body and structure — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

74

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

14

Crashes

2

Fires

Body & Structure complaints by model year

2002 ES 5 6.8%

Median failure at 175,000 miles

2003 ES 1 1.4%

Median failure at 135,000 miles

2004 ES 2 2.7%

Median failure at 165,000 miles

2005 ES 2 2.7%

Median failure at 71,500 miles

2007 ES 31 41.9%

Median failure at 67,500 miles

2008 ES 7 9.5%

Median failure at 51,000 miles

2009 ES 2 2.7%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2010 ES 6 8.1%

Median failure at 98,900 miles

2011 ES 6 8.1%

Median failure at 25,500 miles

2012 ES 4 5.4%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2013 ES 2 2.7%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2015 ES 1 1.4%
2018 ES 1 1.4%
2019 ES 3 4.1%
2025 ES 1 1.4%

What owners said

2012 Lexus ES at 65,000 miles Beechhurst, NY

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reflection from the melted dashboard reflected onto the windshield. In addition, the contact’s vision was impaired while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11747902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Lexus ES Miami, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

The paint is cracking and it is rusting.

NHTSA complaint #11709018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Lexus ES Springdale, AR

STRUCTURE:BODY

The component that failed is the Under Engine Cross Member. This is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk due to the Cross Member being bent so much that is didn't screw back in correctly, thus could have caused the engine to have fallen out of the car or worse. The problem was reproduced at Hendrick Lexus Kansas City. This concern was confirmed by the Technician along with a video. The vehicle was supposed to had been inspected the first time at Park Lexus to certify it as a Certified Pre Owned by Lexus, 200 point inspection. After a week of me owning the car, I sent it back to Parker Lexus for a rattling noise coming from the drivers side area. Parker Lexus said everything was fine with the underbody of the car. This is the second time. The third time. I took it back to Parker Lexus again for them to locate the noise again. Again they said everything was fine with the car. The fourth time I took it to Hendrick Lexus Kansas City for them to look for the issue. They verified the issue and said that the Cross Member, under the car, was bent all the way back and including the hole where the bolt was supposed to go. Hendrick Lexus also said that who ever had looked at it before had put Felt on the Cross Member to alleviate the noise coming from the under the car. No warning lamps, no other symptoms prior to failure. The problem first arose the day of buying the car 10/31/2025, driving it home.

NHTSA complaint #11707180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Lexus ES Foothill Ranch, CA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

Describe:     •    Rear camera froze     •    Parking assist warning did not activate     •    Auto-brake did not engage     •    Accident occurred before recall update I backed into my Neighbors car which was parked opposite my driveway. Searched and found Lexus safety recall notice 25LA06

NHTSA complaint #11703004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Lexus ES Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

Lexus recall 2010-2015 models because pain is peaking. My car is a 2913 es 350 and the paint is pealing but Lexus do not want to fix it. It is the same problem as the recall Lexus because paint is peaking. What can I do or what can you do

NHTSA complaint #11685167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Lexus ES Hatfield, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Team, I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2010 Lexus ES350 (VIN: [XXX] ) concerning a dashboard melting issue. Several years ago, Lexus issued a recall for melting dashboards, including my vehicle. At that time, I did not request a replacement. However, after the recall period ended, my dashboard began to melt. The material becomes sticky, shiny, and unsafe under sunlight. During daytime driving, the melted dashboard reflects sunlight onto the windshield, making it difficult and dangerous to see the road clearly. I have contacted my local Lexus dealer and Lexus corporate headquarters, but both refused assistance, citing the expired recall period. Despite this, the defect continues to exist and presents a serious safety concern. I request that NHTSA record this issue as a safety defect and consider it for further investigation. Attached are photos of my dashboard for reference. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11681051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Lexus ES Hampton, GA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

Driving down the interstate and out of the blue my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gunshot and I was driving 80mph. I almost ran into another driver due to glass falling on me.

NHTSA complaint #11637350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Lexus ES Miami Shores, FL

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

I purchased the car on Feb 9, 2014 at the above Lexus Dealership. $26,596.   My dashboard is melting and it’s definitely a safety hazard. When materials used in the dashboard are prone to melting or degrading in extreme heat, potentially obstructing the driver's view and impacting visibility.  At times I couldn't see and I almost had an accident when the sun reflected in my eyes. It’s a defect that Lexus is aware of because they offered to fix it under the Customer Support Program (Takata Economic Loss Class Action Settlement).   Furthermore, by way of legal agreement, the ZLZ warranty enhancement coverage extends to my vehicle until January 8, 2026.  However, I should not have to rely on this legal agreement to get Lexus to take care of this repair which has been determined as a defective product/material.   I contacted Lexus HQ 716-941-2295 on November 21, 2024. Lexus said they would not be responsible.   The law recognizes concepts of negligence and strict liability to hold sellers liable for defective goods even when no contract existed.   Furthermore, regarding this dashboard defect, there is liability based on the breach of a warranty for the sale of this defective product. Regarding negligence and strict liability, the law has expanded the scope of warranty protections for consumers. This is true both of liability for express promises made by the sellers regarding the quality of products, and the protections the law presumes when sellers offer goods for sale. Lexus knows that when a seller makes a representation at the time of sale regarding the quality of the product, that product is said to be under warranty. Lexus should not continue to avoid responsibility using the excuse of time limitations on the warranty item.  Lexus should authorize the repair.

NHTSA complaint #11628978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Lexus ES San Diego, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

We purchased this vehicle in mid 2018. In October of 2018 Lexus issued a customer support process ZLZ which covered our vehicle for problems with the dashboard. At that time, we had no deterioration of our dashboard so we did not respond. The Lexus program expired in 2021. In the last two years, our dashboard has deteriorated quite substantially becoming sticky and more importantly, becoming very reflective. This condition is a serious safety issue for day and night driving as light reflects up on the windshield and obscures vision out of the windshield. We took the vehicle to Lexus San Diego in August of 2024 and they declined to address the repair as a defect and offered to replace the dashboard for approximately $3000. At that time I called the Lexus Corporate Dept and they said that it could fall under the support program again if they re-opened the program. The representative did not offer any timeline for that happening. I sent correspondence to Lexus Corporate in Oct of 2024 and finally heard back on 11/08/2024 that they would only offer a customer paid fix of approximately $2200.00. The dashboard is definitely defective (soon to be inoperable) and creates a very significant safety problem. I do not understand or agree with Lexus not addressing it properly.

NHTSA complaint #11624496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Lexus ES Petersburg, VA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

Issue number one the dashboard the steering wheel and the clutch handle for automatic or manual melts it gets extremely hot and slippery it burns no matter if you cover your car or anything it melts and the glare from it is very dangerous when the Sun hits the windshield while driving it makes it look like a mirror form I'm not the only one who complains about this issue because why does the dashboard melts and create a dangerous flare with glare excuse the heating and cooling seats I believe also I'm not sure if it's causing condensation because it's connected to the AC which is also an issue no matter how much you get it fixed like I'm not sure if the blend door actuator gets stuck but a lot of people complain about that too because I'm not the only one with that issue 3 the gas pedal gets stuck no matter how many treatments and maintenance and services you get done with your car that's still dangerous because I was driving one day on the highway and my pedal got stuck while driving I keep my car in tip top shape have evidence and all. The light fixtures also is an issue I'm not sure if they're supposed to go down no matter how many lights and replacements you do they still become dim which is dangerous at night while driving in the woods or on dark paths 4 the fuel system they tell to use premium gas which is 91 but then the dealers take to use 87 which causes a stalling on the I believe transmission which is also another faulty issue cuz no matter how many times you replace everything is still very faulty I ran into a lot of people and Friends who have the same issue and again I'm a person who take care of my car and 5 last but not least all the windows and sunroof keep opening which I didn't know was that supposed to be a feature.

NHTSA complaint #11607287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Lexus ES at 95,000 miles Orlando, FL

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2009 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard had become sticky and had started to melt. Over time, the contact stated that glare had started to reflect from the windshield onto the dashboard, obstructing visibility while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was acknowledged that the defect was a known failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that the Extended Warranty coverage had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #11595070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Lexus ES at 130,000 miles El Cajon, CA

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while sitting in the sun, the dashboard melted causing a glare in the windshield. The contact called the dealer and was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact there were no open recalls associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11583409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Lexus ES Baltimore, MD

STRUCTURE:BODY

I was stop not driving

NHTSA complaint #11579388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Lexus ES at 130,000 miles Placentia, CA

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to melt due to sun exposure and there was an abnormal burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was a glare coming from the melting dashboard obstructing the contact's vision while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were informed of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11574938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Lexus ES at 50,000 miles Oceanside, NY

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that he had noticed a sticky texture on the dashboard directly in the driver's view. The contact stated that while driving, the sticky texture reflected onto the windshield impairing his vision. The vehicle was taken to a local collision center. The mechanic confirmed that the dashboard was melting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11545176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Lexus ES Melbourne, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

The Heat Shield on Exhaust becomes loose, rattles and comes off while driving. Danger to to other drives behind me. See the number of complaints over here - https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-3rd-gen-2010-2015/863952-exhaust-heat-shield-loose-and-rattling.html

NHTSA complaint #11536846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Lexus ES Clarksville, IN

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

URGENT: MY DASH HAS MELTED ON MY-2008 LEXUS ES 350- I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE, MY VISIBILTY IT TOTALLY OBSTRUCTED w MY 2008 LEXUS ES 350 WITH ACTUAL 35, 000 MILES, THAT I CANNOT DRIVE ((EVER)) IT SITS IN THE GARAGE. BECAUSE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE MELTING DASH IT TOTALLY BLOCKS MY VIEW OF ANY ROAD, DUE TO SHINING REFLECTION OF MELTING DASH IS ALL YOU CAN SEE IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR TO DRIVE-SO INSTEAD OF AN ACCIDENT FOR ME OR OTHERS ON ROAD UNTIL THIS DASH IS REPLACED IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. BECAUSE THE SHINY-MELTING-STICKY DASH (((REFLECTS ONTO MY WINDSHIELD; OF THE 2008 LEXUS ES 350AND MAKES IT TOO DANGEROUS & IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE, TO DRIVE ANYWHERE & IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING WHEN DRIVING MY VIEW IS OBSTRUCTED ALL I CAN SEE IS (((A REFLECTION IN WINDSHIELD ONLY))) OF (((MY : SHINY MELTING DASH -2008 LEXUS ES 350-I CANNOT DRIVE W 35, 000 MILES THE DASH NEEDS REPLACED ASAP BEFORE AN ACCIDENT DID or ALMOST DID OCCUR. NO, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS CAR MELTING DASH -NEVER. THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHER TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS HAVING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. This car was built in Georgetown KY and was purchased BRAND NEW at Lexus of Louisville, KY. “I have never purchased another Lexus after this.” Thank you, original and only 1 OWNER of this Lexus ES-350

NHTSA complaint #11524285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Lexus ES Easton, MD

STRUCTURE:BODY

The dashboard melted and shines. Having problems seeing during driving against sunlight, also the stickiness of the dashboard makes dirt stuck on the surface of the dashboard. The main issue is safety while driving because of sunlight reflection.

NHTSA complaint #11514676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Lexus ES Nashville, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY

I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. THEY KEEP POPPINGLOOSE, SWINGING FREELY ON IT'S BASE.ONE TIME THE MIRROR POPPED LOOSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. COULD NOT SEE TRAFFIC IN THE RIGHT LANE. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11419882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Lexus ES Miami, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD ON 2009 LEXUS ES 350 HAS BEGUN TO MELT AND ON SUNNY DAYS THE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND REDUCES VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION THE MELTING PLASTIC IS VERY STICKY AND COULD BE HAZARDOUS FOR DRIVER NOT TO MENTION THE POISON EXPOSURE TO ITS VAPORS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. THE 2009 IS IDENTICAL IN DESIGN AND LEXUS SHOULD FIX THIS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY A SMALL PORTION OF THE $1700 REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #11419061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Lexus ES problems