Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2015 Lexus ES350 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2023.
The largest single group is the other & unspecified.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Lexus ES350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
62% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Lexus ES350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
730.4%
Median failure at 19,500 miles
Brakes
417.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 8,012 mi
Electrical System
417.4%
Median failure at 37,224 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
28.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
28.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 25 mi
Seats
14.3%
Median failure at 37,224 miles
Tires
14.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.3%
Median failure at 45,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.3%
Median failure at 16,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
323.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
538.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
538.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2015peak 4May 2023
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Plano, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE SLOWLY, BRAKING TO STOP, WHEN THE CAN ACCELERATED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV AND I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. I REPORTED TO LEXUS WHO TURNED OVER TO 'LEGAL' AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A WEEK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO CONTACT ME TO LOOK AT THE CAR, AFTER WHICH THEY SAY IT WILL BE ANOTHER 30 DAYS FOR A FINDING. THE PAPERWORK I FILLED OUT TERMED THIS AS 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE HAD FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10840059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE SLOWLY, BRAKING TO STOP, WHEN THE CAN ACCELERATED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV AND I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. I REPORTED TO LEXUS WHO TURNED OVER TO 'LEGAL' AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A WEEK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO CONTACT ME TO LOOK AT THE CAR, AFTER WHICH THEY SAY IT WILL BE ANOTHER 30 DAYS FOR A FINDING. THE PAPERWORK I FILLED OUT TERMED THIS AS 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE HAD FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10840059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Stafford, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Water leaking into vehicle , I think the driver side door and window seals are defective
NHTSA complaint #11524304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northvale, NJ
TIRES
2015 LEXUS ES 350. Michelin Primacy 215/55VR17 tires installed 9/2022. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIRES DUE TO A BLOWOUT CAUSED BY A POTHOLE.
NHTSA complaint #11490101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesSAN Juan, PR
VISIBILITY/WIPER
LEXUS ES2015 -THE DASHBOARD HAS TURNED SHINY AND STICKY CAUSING A REFLECTION INTO THE WINSHIELD THAT IMPAIRS VISIBILITY ON THE INCIDENCE OF SOLAR LIGHT. THE DEGRADATION OF THE MATERIAL IS SUCH THAT THE SHINE ANNOT BE REVERSED USING COMMON AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS. EFFECT IN VISIBILITY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND REFLECT POOR JUDGEMENT OF FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN TEH SELECTION OF MATERIALS OF A LONG USEFUL LIFE GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11414527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,224 milesCreedmoor, NC
SEATS
GREETINGS, THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SENT ON THE BEHALF OF CHERYL [XXX] & RAYMOND [XXX] [XXX] 2015 LEXUS GS350 [XXX] ISSUE: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT: SEAT HEATER/WARMER IGNITED WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER LEAVING A BLACK BURNT MARK. WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT CAN OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A FIRE. THIS IS LISTED IN VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11301740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,224 milesCreedmoor, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GREETINGS, THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SENT ON THE BEHALF OF CHERYL [XXX] & RAYMOND [XXX] [XXX] 2015 LEXUS GS350 [XXX] ISSUE: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT: SEAT HEATER/WARMER IGNITED WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER LEAVING A BLACK BURNT MARK. WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT CAN OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A FIRE. THIS IS LISTED IN VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11301740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,224 milesCreedmoor, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GREETINGS, THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SENT ON THE BEHALF OF CHERYL [XXX] & RAYMOND [XXX] [XXX] 2015 LEXUS GS350 [XXX] ISSUE: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT: SEAT HEATER/WARMER IGNITED WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER LEAVING A BLACK BURNT MARK. WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT CAN OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A FIRE. THIS IS LISTED IN VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11301740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potomac, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DOORS DONT LOCK OR THEY LOCK ONLY ON DRIVER SIDE OR THEY GET UNLOCKED RIGHT AWAY, THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP BUT SAME ISSUE AFTER THAT,THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11297004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesRamsey, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM THE OWNER OF A LEXUS WHOSE ENGINE WIRES ARE SOY BASED. 4 WEEKS AGO MY CAR WAS TOTALLY "DEAD" AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME RODENTS ATE THE WIRES.THE COST TO REPAIR THE WIRES WAS $977.00 PLUS THE COST OF TOWING. THIS IS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF LEXUS AND A HIGHWAY DANGER TO ALL.I FEEL IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION TO RECALL ALL CARS THAT HAVE SOY BASED WIRES WHICH IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL ON THE ROAD AND HAVE LEXUS REPLACE MY WIRES WITH NON SOY WIRES AND REIMBURSE ME FOR ALL COSTS OF THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11098711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesCarbondale, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MOON ROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH--GLASS FLEW ALL OVER THE ROAD--IT COULD HAVE IMPACTED ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE HIT THE MOON ROOF. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BUT HAD TO DRIVE 45 MILES HOME AT 35 MPH AS WIND KEPT BLOWING BACK THE INTERIOR COVER.
NHTSA complaint #11052158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euclid, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKAT RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11025082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesStaten Island, NY
POWER TRAIN
THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND LOTS OF MINOR ONES. 1. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. HITTING THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. 2. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO TURN OFF AND ALL INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. 3. THE CAR SLIPS AND THE SYSTEMS TO COUNTERACT SLIPPING DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION, THE ENFORM SYSTEM AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH LEXUS HAVE MET WITH NO SUCCESS. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10924670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesStaten Island, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND LOTS OF MINOR ONES. 1. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. HITTING THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. 2. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO TURN OFF AND ALL INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. 3. THE CAR SLIPS AND THE SYSTEMS TO COUNTERACT SLIPPING DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION, THE ENFORM SYSTEM AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH LEXUS HAVE MET WITH NO SUCCESS. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10924670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesStaten Island, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND LOTS OF MINOR ONES. 1. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. HITTING THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. 2. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO TURN OFF AND ALL INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. 3. THE CAR SLIPS AND THE SYSTEMS TO COUNTERACT SLIPPING DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION, THE ENFORM SYSTEM AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH LEXUS HAVE MET WITH NO SUCCESS. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10924670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesStaten Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND LOTS OF MINOR ONES. 1. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. HITTING THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. 2. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO TURN OFF AND ALL INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. 3. THE CAR SLIPS AND THE SYSTEMS TO COUNTERACT SLIPPING DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION, THE ENFORM SYSTEM AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH LEXUS HAVE MET WITH NO SUCCESS. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10924670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethesda, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON START FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR AT LEAST ELEVEN MONTHS. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PUSH BUTTON START TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER HAD NOT TEST DRIVEN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10916602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clarita, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE), BUT THE REMEDY TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10903296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southport, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
RECEIVED A RECALL DUE TO A MALFUNCTION ON THE P C S (*PRE COLLISION SYSTEM). THE RECALL WAS NOVEMBER 2015. TO DATE, JUNE 25, 2016, NO REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS EXCESSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10876556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Harbor, MI
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10850202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE SLOWLY, BRAKING TO STOP, WHEN THE CAN ACCELERATED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV AND I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. I REPORTED TO LEXUS WHO TURNED OVER TO 'LEGAL' AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A WEEK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO CONTACT ME TO LOOK AT THE CAR, AFTER WHICH THEY SAY IT WILL BE ANOTHER 30 DAYS FOR A FINDING. THE PAPERWORK I FILLED OUT TERMED THIS AS 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE HAD FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10840059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE SLOWLY, BRAKING TO STOP, WHEN THE CAN ACCELERATED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV AND I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. I REPORTED TO LEXUS WHO TURNED OVER TO 'LEGAL' AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A WEEK FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO CONTACT ME TO LOOK AT THE CAR, AFTER WHICH THEY SAY IT WILL BE ANOTHER 30 DAYS FOR A FINDING. THE PAPERWORK I FILLED OUT TERMED THIS AS 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE HAD FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10840059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25 milesAsheboro, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE RADAR CRUISE ENGAGED, WE WERE APPROACHING A SLOWER CAR , ANOTHER CAR WAS IN THE INSIDE LANE ADJACENT TO US AND BEFORE WE COULD DISENGAGE THE CRUISE OUR LEXUS ES350 BRAKED FORCEFULLY AND THE CAR FOLLOWING HAD TO BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION...THIS IS FIRST HAND INFORMATION WITH NO DOCUMENTATION....WE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WERE ON OUR WAY HOME....THERE ARE 3 DISTANCE SETTINGS FOR THE RADAR CRUISE AND I AM NOT SURE WHICH ONE WAS ACTIVE SINCE I HAD NO EXPERIENCE WITH IT....THIS RADAR CRUISE SYSTEM IS THE DEFAULT SYSTEM WHICH CAN BE DEACTIVATED EACH TIME THE CRUISE IS TURNED ON ....IT IS A PACKAGE WITH THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM WHICH WAS RECALLED ON NOV 3 2015 FOR SUDDEN BRAKING....
NHTSA complaint #10811855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25 milesAsheboro, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE RADAR CRUISE ENGAGED, WE WERE APPROACHING A SLOWER CAR , ANOTHER CAR WAS IN THE INSIDE LANE ADJACENT TO US AND BEFORE WE COULD DISENGAGE THE CRUISE OUR LEXUS ES350 BRAKED FORCEFULLY AND THE CAR FOLLOWING HAD TO BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION...THIS IS FIRST HAND INFORMATION WITH NO DOCUMENTATION....WE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WERE ON OUR WAY HOME....THERE ARE 3 DISTANCE SETTINGS FOR THE RADAR CRUISE AND I AM NOT SURE WHICH ONE WAS ACTIVE SINCE I HAD NO EXPERIENCE WITH IT....THIS RADAR CRUISE SYSTEM IS THE DEFAULT SYSTEM WHICH CAN BE DEACTIVATED EACH TIME THE CRUISE IS TURNED ON ....IT IS A PACKAGE WITH THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM WHICH WAS RECALLED ON NOV 3 2015 FOR SUDDEN BRAKING....
NHTSA complaint #10811855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 600 milesMonroe Township, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER STARTING ENGINE WE BEGAN TO HEAR CRACKLING NOISES SIMILAR TO ELECTRICAL SOUNDS. THIS PERSISTED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. WE VISITED OUR DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THIS. THE CRACKLING NOISES WOULD ONLY BE EVIDENT FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS. NOW WE ARE HEARING THESE NOISES LOUDER AND MORE OFTEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER WE HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT, HOWEVER WE FEEL UNSAFE. WE NOTIFIED LEXUS AND ARE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint #10760129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.