Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Oct 29, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Nov 16, 2011
What this page shows
Our database holds 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Lexus ES. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 28 · page 1 of 2
Electrical
Filed Oct 29, 2025
Crash reported
Experienced unintended acceleration when pulling into a parking space. My vehicle went over the curb and into a ditch. The bushes and embankment of the ditch stopped the vehicle. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of a problem.
NHTSA ID
11696331
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2025
Crash reported
On Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 at approximately 11:50 am, my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. I was pulling into a parking spot and suddenly accelerated and jump the barrier into a ditch. Luckly there were bushes to stop me. I was standing on the brake. There were no prior indications there was an issue.
NHTSA ID
11695936
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently accelerated upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that recently upon entering the garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated after releasing the brake pedal, almost causing the vehicle to crash into the residence. The struck other materials inside the garage, causing front-end damages to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had already been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
NHTSA ID
11633738
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
25,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 18, 2024
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 ID
11595070
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
Mileage
95,000 mi
Filed Jun 29, 2023
Dashboard is sticky, shiny, and melting from the heat. All lint, dust and cloth sticks to the sticky dashboard. Shiny dashboards can pose safety hazards that affect visibility with a glare bouncing off the windshield, and overall health issues since melted dashboards can emit harmful odors. Lexus is saying their Customer Support Program ZLZ expired in 2021. I never received any mail from them about this program even though they claim they mailed it to me in 2018. I have been having my vehicle serviced at Longo Lexus since 2009, with the last maintenance service done on 6/21/23, and the dealership just noted this problem sticky dashboard issue to me, after the Lexus customer support program expired. The server advisor at Longo told me they could replace my dashboard for $2,572, but don't understand why they didn't offer to replace it for free in 2018-2021, like they did my floor mats, which was also a safety hazard. This sticky and melting dashboard problem is a manufacturer defect and my dashboard needs to be replaced by Lexus at no cost to me regardless if my vehicle is out of warranty. Also, the expiration date for this Customer Support Program needs to be extended for all owners of Lexus vehicles with this problem, regardless of mileage.
NHTSA ID
11529640
Incident
Jun 21, 2023
Filed Jun 16, 2023
Dashboard is melting from heat and needs to be replaced. Company refuses to replace saying recalls expired 2021. Never received any mail from them even though they said they mailed it to me. Be going to Price LeBlanc for service since 2013 never mentioned anything about it. Thanks
NHTSA ID
11527438
Incident
Jun 16, 2023
Steering
Filed Mar 31, 2023
I was driving home from work & just before 5pm I hit a section of the side of the road that has deteriorated on SR 68 between Tecumseh high school & Lynnville, IN. It blew out the inner wall of my tire & I had to get it replaced. I have seen this happen to other drivers on this road as well. The road needs to be repaired before someone gets seriously injured. This incident caused me to replace all 4 of my tires prematurely. Please repair the road - there are at least 2 areas that need to be repaired
NHTSA ID
11514877
Incident
Mar 8, 2023
Body & structure
Filed May 30, 2021
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 ID
11419061
Incident
May 30, 2020
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2020
BROKEN ENGINE VALVE SPRING. ONLY ONE SO FAR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET.
NHTSA ID
11362118
Incident
Sep 19, 2020
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 11, 2019
VEHICLE SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE PRESSING BRAKE, EVEN MOVING FORWARD AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP
NHTSA ID
11288540
Incident
Dec 11, 2019
Mileage
124,300 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 28, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported
TAKAT RECALL: HAD CAR ACCIDENT . HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE TURNING; RAN OVER STREET SIGN AND HIT IRON FENCE INFRONT OF APARTMENT BUILDING. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
NHTSA ID
11228232
Incident
Jun 14, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 28, 2019
Crash reported
HAD CAR ACCIDENT JUNE 14,2019. HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE
NHTSA ID
11223187
Incident
Jun 14, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 14, 2018
I CALLED LEXUS OF ROCKVILLE CENTER LI NY TODAY REGARDING "URGENT SAFETY RECALL" NOTICE I RECEIVED. SADLY LEXUS DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER UNTIL END OF MARCH... CAN'T EVEN MAKE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE LEXUS FIX THE PROBLEM "TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS" FOR AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL - I HAVE HAD NO VEHICLE PROBLEMS YET...
NHTSA ID
11079129
Incident
Mar 14, 2018
Airbags
Filed Dec 20, 2017
TAKATA RECALL THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER HAS YET TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. I HAVE BEEN IN A 'LOANER' VEHICLE FOR 10 MONTHS.
NHTSA ID
11055730
Incident
Dec 20, 2017
Mileage
99,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 21, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ID
11035344
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Airbags
Filed May 16, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS DEALER AT 700 SERRAMONTE BLVD, COLMA CA 94014 SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING PASSENGER AIR BAG OF MY CAR BUT I AM BEING IGNORED AND ADVISED TO KEEP DRIVING AS IT IS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY BECAUSE IT IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND THEY TRAVEL WITH ME ALL THE TIMES.
NHTSA ID
10986070
Incident
Apr 27, 2017
Airbags
Filed Apr 28, 2017
[XXX] LEXUS FAILED TO ACCOMMODATE WITH A LOANER VEHICLE AND JUST KEEPS TELLING ME "JUST BE PATIENT" EVERY TIME I CALL THEM TO DISCUSS MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE "NOT DRIVEN ALL THAT TIME" FOR OVER FOUR YEARS SINCE ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE FEARFUL FOR SAFETY OF OUR LIVES. THE DEALER HAS NOT ACCOMMODATED WITH ANY RECOURSE AND JUST SENDS LETTERS WITH BOLD RED PRINT THAT I AM CONSIDERED "ZONE B" AND WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN IT SAYS "REMEDY SUSPENDED". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10981180
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Airbags
Filed Jan 14, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ID
10945249
Incident
Jan 14, 2017
Airbags
Filed Jan 11, 2017
LEXUS SENT A RECALL NOTICE ON MAY 23, 2016, ADVISING US NOT TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT DUE TO THE POTENTIAL DANGER FROM EXPLODING SHRAPNEL FROM THE TAKATA AIRBAG. IT IS NOW JANUARY 17, 2017, A FULL 8 MONTHS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION PROVIDED, NO REPAIRS AND NO TARGET DATE FOR A FIX, WE ARE EFFECTIVELY UNABLE TO USE OF THE VEHICLE. REQUESTS FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AT SEVERAL DEALERS HAS BEEN DENIED, WITH ADVICE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, WHO THEN ADVISED US TO CALL DEALERS. THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE BEHAVIOR AND IS POTENTIALLY WORSE THAN THE VOLKSWAGON DEBACLE. THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE HAS ESSENTIALLY DISAPPEARED AND IT CANNOT BE USED FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL FAMILY USE. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD LIABLE AND EITHER COMPENSATE OWNERS, PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE DURATION OR PAY FOR RENTAL VEHICLES, PLUS A SUBSTANTIAL FINE FOR THE EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE DELAY.
NHTSA ID
10944234
Incident
May 23, 2016
Mileage
20,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 10, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - SINCE THE RECALL NOTICE ADVISES NOT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT I HAVE NOT USED THE PASSENGER SEAT SINCE I RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET A FIX. MY LEXUS DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD PROBABLY BE OKAY TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT SINCE IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT I WOULD HAVE A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT WOULD CAUSE THE BAG TO GO OFF. UNBELIEVABLE!! WE'VE ENDED UP WITH FOUR FIFTHS OF A CAR SINCE I HAVE TO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT WHENEVER WE USE THE CAR.
NHTSA ID
10934360
Incident
May 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Dec 2, 2016
TAKATA RECALL LEXUS DOES NOT FEEL THE URGENCY OF DEVELOPING A RESPONSE TO THIS DEADLY SITUATION THEIR RESPONSE SEEMS TO BE THAT IT IS TAKATA'S PROBLEM WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE MY CAR SAFE TO CARRY A PASSENGER?
NHTSA ID
10929579
Incident
May 23, 2016
Mileage
88,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ID
10919961
Incident
May 23, 2016
Mileage
66,455 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY YET. UNTIL THEY DO I CAN NOT GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER TO MY QUESTION. IS THE AIR BAG ON IF NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT? PLEASE GIVE ME THE ANSWER. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ID
10891556
Incident
Jul 24, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 19, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE VIA MAIL LAST WEEK REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NHTSA RECALL NO. 16V-340. IN THE "IMPORTANT UPDATE" INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL NOTICE WERE SEVERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. QUESTION 8 "MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THIS SAFETY RECALL BUT THE REMEDY IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. WILL LEXUS PROVIDE A LONER VEHICLE UNTIL THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE". THE ANSWER PROVIDES THAT "[T]O MINIMIZE RISK, LEXUS RECOMMENDS THAT NO PASSENGERS SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IF THIS RECOMMENDATION IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR THE CUSTOMER'S PERSONAL OR BUSINESS NEEDS, ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MADE BE MADE AVAILABLE." SINCE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH OUR LOCAL DEALER, HERRIN-GEAR LEXUS TO ADVISE THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION IS NOT FEASIBLE AND FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION. THE DEALER REFERRED ME TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER PROVIDED FOR THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT BEING ANSWERED AND ALL OTHER MEANS ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE IN THIS REGARD HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. REQUEST IS MADE FOR ASSISTANCE COMMUNICATING WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT YOUR AGENCY REQUIRE THAT THE RECALL OCCUR IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT DELAY OR ALTERNATIVELY THAT THE MANUFACTURER BE COMPELLED TO PROVIDE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION.
NHTSA ID
10885881
Incident
Jul 5, 2016
Visibility
Filed Jul 19, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND HAS BECOME SHINY. THE SHINE RENDERS THE DRIVER BLIND TO TRAFFIC BY REFLECTING THE SUN. THE SHINE ALSO REFLECTS AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD AND REFLECTS BACK. THIS MAKES THE VISIBILITY TOWARDS THE LEFT SIDE AND FRONT OF THE DRIVER TO BE VERY LOW CAUSING A HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION.
NHTSA ID
10885771
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Mileage
61,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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