37 of the 1,531 complaints filed about the Lexus ES350 are about the engine — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.
37
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
7
Crashes
1
Fires
ENGINE
I BOUGHT USED 2016 LEXUS ES350, MILES 84000, AND AFTER A MONTH I HEARD RATTLING NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. MOST LIKELY FROM WATER PUMP PULLY.
NHTSA complaint #11406389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTOFF AND APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOHNSON LEXUS LOCATED AT 5839 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. INFORMATION DOWN LOADED FROM THE VEHICLE?S COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11360612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A RENTAL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA complaint #11319034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE OIL LEVEL LOWERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND UNABLE TO HOLD OIL TO REDUCE EMISSION CONTROL OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BREDEMANN LEXUS (2000 N WAUKEGAN RD, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (847) 510-5535) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING LATER THIS WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS THE SAME AS IN OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED, THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
NHTSA complaint #11204351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS ES350. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #11133176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (BELL LEXUS NORTH SCOTTSDALE, 18555 N SCOTTSDALE RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255, (480)-502-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SYSTEM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,534.
NHTSA complaint #11104727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2008 LEXUS 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RADIATOR LEAK CAUSED BY TECHNICIANS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR LEAK WAS CAUSED BY THE TECHNICIANS TAMPERING WITH IT IN ORDER TO INDUCE THE LEAK. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY CORRECTED. UPDATED 11/06/2017
NHTSA complaint #11029588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2010 MERCEDES BENZ E550. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM ISSUES AND AUTO-OFF PUSH BUTTON MECHANISM INSTALLATION TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY THE GARAGE AS WELL AS THE ENGINE WAS NOTICEABLY HOT. 2 ADULTS WERE LATER FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN THE HOME FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
NHTSA complaint #10949390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AFTER BUYING AND OWNING FOR A YEAR. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR I ENDED UP HAVING TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND GETTING STUCK WITH A LIEN FOR THE LEXUS IN WHICH THE CAR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. PAID OUT OF POCKET THUS FAR FOR A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING: RADIATOR FAILING, ALL HOSES REPLACED, AXLE REPLACEMENT, TO NAME A FEW. CAR ONLY HAD 15000 MILES PLACED ON IT, BOUGHT USED. PURCHASED A WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A CLAIM, CLAIM WAS DENIED DUE TO DEALERSHIP NON-PAYMENT & "FORGETTING TO FILE PAPERWORK." OPENED UP CLAIM WITH MARYLAND INSURANCE COMMITTEE AND REPORTED DEALERSHIP FOR FRAUD.
NHTSA complaint #10991414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE TURNING RIGHT FROM ONE STREET TO ANOTHER, THERE WAS COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT-OFF, AND SEVERAL SECONDS PASSED BEFORE I COULD RE-START THE CAR, THIS OCCURRING IN MORNING RUSH HOUR, AND BARELY AVERTED AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR ALSO HAS HAD NUMEROUS RANDOM AND OCCASIONAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, MIRRORS MOVING ON THEIR OWN, GARAGE OPENER NOT WORKING, SEAT MEMORY NOT WORKING, ETC. SHOP CAN'T DUPLICATE THEM AND THEREFORE CANNOT FIX. LEXUS DOES NOT RESPOND. WORRY IS THAT ENGINE CUT-OFF MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND ALSO WORRY THAT THERE IS AN OVERALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS MAJOR SYSTEMS, INCLUDING ENGINE OPERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10981330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE AT STARTUP BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE VVT-I GEARS. LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (SB0028-09R2) BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY LOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING LEADING TO A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10884454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY LEXUS ES 350 ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HWY W/O PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF ANY ERROR MESSAGES. MECHANIC SAID DIAGNOSTICS POINTED TO COOLING SYSTEM ERROR - WATER PUMP RELATED. THE PUMP WAS REPAIRED. CAR TEMP LIGHT WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM COLD TO HOT BACK TO COLD. MECHANIC SAID COOLING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING BUT SENSORY GAUGE STILL FLUCTUATING. DEALER MECHANIC SAID WATER PUMP NEEDED TO REPLACED BUT THIS WAS ALREADY DONE. THEN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WARPED. NOW CAR NEEDS ENGINE. CAR INITIALLY SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY W/O WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10877003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I EXPERIENCED A LOW SPEED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MY 2014 LEXUS ES350 FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DECEMBER 22, 2015. I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING PLACE WHERE I LIVE AS I HAVE DONE HUNDREDS OF TIMES. AS I WAS TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO STARTING HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I HEARD THE ENGINE REVVING AND I WAS TAKEN TOTALLY BY SURPRISE. MY REACTION WAS TO TURN TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE WALL IN FRONT OF ME WHILE HITTING THE BRAKE WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE FROM THE CAR. I HIT THE WALL WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR AND KEPT GOING FOR A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL I SOMEHOW SHIFTED GEARS. THE CAR STOPPED AND I PUT IT ON REVERSE. I AGAIN EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION ON MARCH 21, 2016 WHILE PARKING THE CAR AT A DIFFERENT PLACE. FORTUNATELY, NOTHING OBSTRUCTED THE CAR SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING - THE OVERRIDE TOYOTA DESIGNED AFTER ALL THE EARLIER SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENTS WORKED THIS TIME. BUT THIS SECOND INCIDENT CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE FIRST ONE WILL NO LONGER BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT HENCE I'M FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT SO OTHER LEXUS OWNERS LEARN ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10851024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
LEXUS INBOX X [XXX] <[XXX]@GMAIL.COM> 10:23 AM (0 MINUTES AGO) TO ME I OWN A 2011 LEXUS ES 350. ON 12/10/2015 I WAS PARKING IN A CHURCH PARKING LT WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR ROARED LIKE AN AIRPLANE AND SURGED UP A HILL THROUGH AN IRON GATE AT A CEMETERY, DOWNING A STONE PILLAR AND FINALLY COMING TO A STOP ON TOP OF A HEADSTONE. I CANNOT DESCRIBE THE SHEER PANIC I EXPERIENCED. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. THE PREVIOUS DAY I PICKED UP MY 5 YR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER AT HER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!! I CAN NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. I BELIEVE IT WILL BE TOTALED ANYWAY. IT'S AT EDDIE'S AUTO BODY IN MOODUS, CONNECTICUT. I RETIRED 2 1/2 YRS AGO FROM P&W AIRCRAFT AS A PERFORMANCE ENGINEER TO BUY THE CAR OF MY DREAMS WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE MY WORST NIGHTMARE. FOLLOWING ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS TO SAVE LIVES! [XXX] [XXX] MOODUS, CT. 06469 [XXX] VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #10810656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE ENTERING MY GARAGE, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SMASHED INTO THE REAR WALL DESTROYING A CABINET AND REFRIDGERATOR AND WENT THROUGH THE WALL. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR AS EVIDENCED BY BRAKE SKID MARKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. LEXUS LATER INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMED THEY COULD FIND NO DEFECT. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE AND I WERE ONLY SHAKEN UP FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE COVERED PART OF THE DAMAGE AND LEXUS HAS DISAVOWED ANY RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THEY NEVER INSPECTED THE DAMAGE TO OUR HOME OR THE EVIDENCE THAT I WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR ALMOST FROM THE INSTANT IT ENTERED THE GARAGE. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES BY EMAIL, BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO RETRIEVE THEM FOR THIS DOCUMENT. T
NHTSA complaint #10786456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE RAN HOT AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10767550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY WIFE HAS PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CAR HAS HAS STARTED A FIRE FROM ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10726066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES350. WHILE MAKING A U TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A FENCE AND A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 9/22/2017
NHTSA complaint #10683863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
OIL DUMPED OUT CROSSING A VERY LONG BRIDGE & ENGINE FROZE UP/STEERING HARD TO CONTROL...DUE TO A DEFECTIVE VVTI_OIL HOSE RUPTURING..BOTH LEXUS & TOYOTA WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM & HAD ISSUED A "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" THAT ENDED ON MARCH 31, 2013..BOTH REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR THAT WITH RENTAL CARS, COST ME APROX. $7,000.00..THIS WAS A RUBBER HOSE, THAT BOTH MFGS. KNEW ABOUT AND BOTH CO.CONTINUED TO REPLACE THESE FAULTY HOSES, WITH ANOTHER "RUBBER HOSE", EVEN THO' THERE WAS & STILL IS A METAL HOSE THAT IS RECOMMENDED!! I HAD POSTED THIS PROBLEM WITH YA'LL, SHORTLY AFTER, BUT, DO NOT FIND RECORDS OF.. BUT, APPROX. 2 WEEKS AGO, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM LEXUS STATING," THEY HAD DECIDED TO RE-OPEN THIS "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" TO EXTEND TO DEC. 31, 2021..A DAY TOO LATE & ALOT OF $$$$& TIME SPENT..EVEN THO' LEXUS SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER REIMBURSEMENT ON CARS, LIKE MINE THAT ALREADY HAD BEEN REPAIRED. LEXUS IS ONLY DOING THIS, AGAIN, BECAUSE I AM 100% SURE THAT ALL THE MANY MANY LEXUS & TOYOTA CAR OWNERS THAT HAD THEIR HOSES REPLACED BACK IN 2013 AND PRIOR ARE NOW EXPERIENCING WHAT I HAD TO GO THRU: ENGINE DIED, ALMOST RAN OFF THE BRIDGE AND SPENT WEEKS WITHOUT A CAR..HAD TO RENT. I ASK FOR YOU TO PLEASE GO BACK AND RESEARCH THIS FAULTY VVTI_OIL HOSE ON BOTH LEXUS & TOYATA CARS..THERE ARE THOUSANDS, ESPECIALLY WITH TOYOTA!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE VVTI-OIL HOSE AND YOU WILL SEE.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!
NHTSA complaint #10651692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON..STILL HAD 400 MILES ON STICKER..TOOK TO LEXUS DEALER, ADVISED THEM I NOTICED OIL LEAKS ON MY DRIVEWAY& PLEASE CHECK ANY PROBLEMS WITH WHY MY LIGHT SHOULD BE ON..LEXUS CHANGED OIL, FILTER &INSPECTION..SAID ALL IS GOOD..3 WEEKS LATER LESS THAN 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME..ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, STOPPED TO TURN ONTO MY ROAD.LOW OIL PRESSURE, THAN HIT DRIVEWAY VSC ON..THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS W/BOTH LEXUS & TOYOTA (LEXUS.LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN 923 LSC 9LH). MY ENGINE IS NOW RUINED.COST EST TO REPAIR..$6,000.00 TO $10,000. PURCHASHED FROM A TOYOTA DEALER..NEITHER THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP NOR THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ARE WILLING TO HELP..BOTH ARE AWARE OF THIS PLASTIC..VVTI OIL HOSE AND HAS REPLACED WITH A METAL LINE..ON LATER MODELS....I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 93 DAYS. I ALSO HAVE THE ACCELERATOR ISSUE (STICKING)..NOT TOLD THIS WHEN I PURCHASED CAR AND FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND FAULTY BRAKE PADS..THIS IS NOT ONLY TOTAL DISHONESTY, BUT HAD I BEEN ON A LONG BRIDGE THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED..I WOULD HAVE DRIVEN OFF THE BRIDGE, AS THE STEERING LOCKED UP!! PLEASE ANY HELP/ASSISTANCE WILL BE APPRECIATED.I AM HAVING TO RENT A CAR, AS I WORK ON THE ROAD EVERY DAY..I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, IN ADVANCE!! BLESSINGS
NHTSA complaint #10584299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.