10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,437 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2007 Lexus ES 350:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #17

Nov 022022

ES 350

  • miles
I was driving and my car speed start going down and I saw engine and battery light came on so I pulled over and turned off the car and try to turn it back on but it's not turning on.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #16

Oct 102021

ES 350

  • miles
This is a second report of unexpected, unanticipated extremly high acceleration while braking. I reported this experience in November 2019, NHTSA Complaint Number 11279155. At that time, the car was moving and I was braking on an uphill curve. On October 10, 2021, at approx 12:30 p.m. The unexpected, unanticipated extremely high acceleration occurred as I was starting my car in a Pittsburgh area restaurant parking lot. The car requires that my foot be on the brake while starting. The car was in Park when I depressed the start button. Immediately the car started with extremely high revolutions to the point the loud engine noise frightened several individuals standing 15-20 feet on an adjacent sidewalk. The tachometer was in or close to the redzone. I immediately shut the engine down. At no time did I have my foot on the accelerator and neither the floor mat nor any other item was touching the accelerator.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 142021

ES 350

  • miles
Smoke started coming out of hood when returning home. Opened hood to check engine and choked on smoke. After engine cooled, found VVT-I tube is leaking at lower end of rubber hose. Engine oil had accumulated around engine compartment aft, a bit foward of VVT-i tube, and to passenger side. Searched Internet and saw that LSC-90K oil line "campaign" has the exact same part that is part of campaign that failed on my engine, but my VIN is not part of campaign.

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #14

May 032021

ES 350

  • miles
The front timing cover seal on my car was resealed at 105,124 miles @ a cost of $2,804.52 plus tax on November 2014. The car was 8 years old. I am now being told that the timing cover needs to be resealed/replaced again. The car had 160,830 miles when I took it in for service on 5/3/2021. By the way, the service adviser wrote the wrong mileage. He mistakenly wrote 168,036 miles as the odometer reading. When I asked what is causing this issue he had no answer. I contacted Lexus customer service to inquire into what causes the seal to need replacement every 7 or so years. Case # 210506001409 was assigned. The customer service called today and informed me that the service manager at crown Lexus in Ontario informed her the sealer shrinks overtime. However, she could not provide a reason for the shrinkage. I need to know what causes this so I can decide whether to continue putting money into this car. This does seem right to me. I think it is a manufacturing defect. I simply need to know why they continue to use sealers that they know will shrink. The new cost to repair this car is approximately $3500. The customer service person did not know the name of the sealer that was being used. She could only refer me to the service manager at the dealer and I do not feel comfortable talking to him about this because he gave her no real explanation other than it shrinks. Other customers are having the same problem with their cars. If I have contacted the wrong office please direct to me to someone who can help. By the way, I asked for a written response and was told she could not provide one.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #13

Nov 062019

ES 350

  • 150,000 miles
On thur Nov 6, 2009, at approx 6:00 pm., I was driving on a wet country lane in wexford, pa. Driving slowly, less than 15 mph on an up hill curve, I applied my brakes and shortly afterward the engine unexpectedly and unintentionally accelerated causing my car to swerve to the left and into shrubbery adjacent to the lane. My foot was not on the accelerator and the floor mat was anchored. Auto damage is minor limited to left front bumper, est at $1,000-$1,500 damage.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #12

Aug 022019

ES 350

  • 234,475 miles
My oil line is leaking, I did research and found a recall on this part. Can I get this repaired...

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #11

Sep 012018

ES 350

  • 91,000 miles
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.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #10

Feb 082019

ES 350

  • 0 miles
He need service transmicion, motor part. Amortiguadores.clamshop

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 012018

ES 350

  • 114,000 miles
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.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 032017

ES 350

  • 62,000 miles
At the top of our driveway just outside the garage door, my wife put our 07' Lexus ES350 in gear and seconds later the vehicle began to accelerate wildly. She was unable to slow the car's wild acceleration down the driveway and caught part of a retaining wall on the property which flipped the vehicle on it's side. I was inside the house at the time but heard the car's engine rev just before the crash. The accident appears to have initiated by some extremely dangerous mechanical failure that allowed the engine to rev uncontrollably. Our insurance company will soon be towing the Lexus to their facility. I notified a claims agent that the accident should be brought to the attention of NHTSA however, the agent was not aware of how to coordinate the effort so I am proceeding forward myself asap. The car is obviously totaled and I'm not sure what insurance will do with the vehicle.

- Randolph, NJ, USA

problem #7

Apr 212017

ES 350

  • miles
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.

- Clarksville, MD, USA

problem #6

Apr 012017

ES 350

  • 147,000 miles
Transmission had issues with flare at speeds of 30-40 mph on a cold start and brought it to Lexus and they updated my ECU with the software. After getting the car back they had a jerking/hesitation between 1st and 2nd gear. This happens every time when when at a stop and slowly accelerating. Lexus recommended a new transmission, but I did some research and lots of owners had this issue for the early 2007 models of the ES350. Apparently Lexus is a ware of the issue but has done nothing about it.

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 062016

ES 350

  • 135,000 miles
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.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #4

Aug 042015

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Over the last couple of years, at least 7 times, I have had my car stay running while I am at a restaurant or when I return home. I park outside and at least 3 times over the last 6 years neighbors have called and said did you know that your car engine was running. About three weeks ago, in early August, I was at a restaurant in clinton, New York where the car was running on the street several blocks away for the whole time we were in the restaurant. Each time I thought I'd put my foot on the brake and pushed in the button to shut off the car. I am so glad that you are investigating this. If I had an interior garage where I parked at my home, I could have killed people with the build up of the carbon monoxide. I can't see why Toyota can't have a blinking light when the car is on or have the car automatically cut off after a few minutes. One other thing, is that my car, which I love, runs so quietly, that it is almost impossible to hear the engine when it is idling. Thank you so much for investigating this serious issue.

- Washington , DC, USA

problem #3

May 122014

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
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..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!!

- Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Apr 032014

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 69,951 miles
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 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

- Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 042014

ES 350

  • 54,000 miles
Check engine and vsc lights were displayed at 54,000 miles. Error codes indicated ignition coil. This issues has been reported multiple times for the 07 ES 350 and 08 gs. This is a clear defect and it should be replaced via a recall.

- Columbia, MD, USA