10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,465 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #8

Feb 112024

ES 350

  • miles
VVTI oil line ruptured This was part of a Limited Service Campaign by Lexus and I believe my vehicle's VIN was incorrectly excluded.

- Tillson, NY, USA

problem #7

Mar 282015

ES 350

  • 76,000 miles
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

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 192015

ES 350

  • 90,000 miles
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.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #5

Jun 142015

ES 350

  • 142,000 miles
My wife has parked the car in front of the driveway and few minutes later, the car has has started a fire from engine.

- Woodland Park, NJ, USA

problem #4

Feb 162013

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 33,296 miles
I was in stop and go traffic. Bumper to bumper. The car in front moved forward and I pressed the gas pedal 2 seconds and went back to the brake. The engine started to rev up out of control. I pressed on the brake as hard as possible and managed to slow the car but not stop it. I put it in park but the engine continued to roar. It finally went back to normal. Lexus checked the car but said they found nothing wrong. This model had been recalled for the same problem. Clearly the car may be dangerous. Lexus denies all responsibility. The inspector left a thumb drive in the car but I can't read it. I would be glad to send it to you.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 082008

ES 350

  • 50 miles
Occasionally and randomly, my car feels like it is "stalling" when making a right hand turn from a stop or almost a complete stop. It has happened a couple times turning left but mostly making a right-turn. I've brought this up to my service advisor and was at first told that the engine couldn't "stall" and since then I've reported it during my normal services. They would take it for a drive and couldn't replicate it. The last time I complained about it the dealership said I could leave it for a few days so they could drive it around more. I thought it was just me but then my husband had it happen to him too. It is scary and unsafe when it happens. I bought my car in 2008 and it still continues to happen today.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 182013

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
Had to make a hard stop and the brake pedal faded badly. Pedal has become softer over time. Already had to pay to replace faulty designed rear pads and front discs. Lexus has a tsb on the squeaky rear pads but never let us know. It was a replace only if owner complained. 1 pad was badly worn, but the vehicle was out of warranty and Lexus would not do anything. With all the Toyota master cylinder issues under recall, I find it hard to believe our ES350 is not experiencing the same thing. Expensive fix that we cannot delay for safety sake. Engine is becoming noisy. Ticking sounds at times.

- Brooklyn, WI, USA

problem #1

Oct 182012

ES 350

  • 83,375 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the was an oil leak and advised her that there was a manufacturer's recall for the failure. The vehicle was repaired free of charge under the manufacturer's recall. After replacing the component in the recall the mechanic advised her that the oil leak caused damage to her drive belt and it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired for the drive belt. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,375. The current mileage was approximately 85,005.

- Little Rock, AR, USA