RoadVitals

2016 Lexus ES350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
21
Latest May 4, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 7, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Lexus ES350, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 141 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance316.7%
  • Electrical316.7%
  • Brakes316.7%
  • Airbags211.1%
  • Engine211.1%
  • Visibility15.6%
  • Fuel system15.6%
  • Steering15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V198000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Apr 7, 2016
16,656 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
The risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number G0I, GLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 4, 2022

Steering wheel vibrations after 65 MPH is reach, more noticeable when vehicle has reached the speed and cruising. Had tires rebalanced and rotated and issue still persists. The vibration feels like when a wheel lock is loose or missing.

NHTSA ID
11463348
Incident
Apr 27, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2022

2016 Lexus ES350 with the 2nd row sunroof. While driving the car the front sunroof shattered without cause, sending glass pieces into the cabin creating a very dangerous situation. This appears to be a problem that has happened many times before as there are many people that have talked about this issue. Lexus denied fault.

NHTSA ID
11460004
Incident
Apr 5, 2022
Filed Dec 22, 2021

Effective in 2022 all cellular carriers are upgrading to 5G. With this transition a majority of vehicles will no longer be able to use their vehicles emergency crash response systems. In my 2016 Lexus ES350 the Emergency SOS system utilizes 3G cellular service which will be turned off in 2022 making an automated call in the event of a crash impossible. The DOT needs to block this measure as owners of vehicles should not be forced to purchase a newer vehicle simply for emergency services.

NHTSA ID
11444708
Incident
Dec 22, 2021
Filed Jul 5, 2021

At 1 p.m. July 5, 2021, I was driving on the expressway on a short trip from home (about 5 miles). Temperature outside was 83 degrees, inside car 70 degrees. No overpasses, nearby cars, or debris noted from roadway. We heard a loud explosion. Seeing no other vehicles, feeling nothing wrong with the tires, or broken mirrors, I cracked open the moon roof slightly and noticed shattered glass. Fortunately, we had the interior moon roof flap of the vehicle closed which prevented the shards from falling on us. There was no warning that this would happen. As it is a holiday, I am awaiting a response from both the insurance company and the dealership. You will note the "upward" explosion that would not be typical of an object coming from the road. We noted nothing from the road or sky (partly cloudy day).

NHTSA ID
11423477
Incident
Jul 5, 2021
Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2021

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 ID
11406389
Incident
Apr 3, 2021
Filed Oct 29, 2020

ON FEB. 25, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 7 AM I WAS DRIVING ALONG A LOCAL ROUTE IN HICKSVILLE, NY IN MY 2016 LEXUS ES 350 TRAVELING APPROX. 40 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE NEXT THING I KNEW I HEARD GLASS RATTLING AROUND ON MY ROOF. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT MY SUNROOF (PANORAMIC ROOF) HAD SHATTERED INTO 1 THOUSAND PIECES.

NHTSA ID
11367051
Incident
Feb 25, 2020
Mileage
35,000 mi
Filed Oct 7, 2020

ON OCTOBER 7 AT APPROXIMATELY 5 AM I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EASTBOUND IN ATLANTA GEORGIA. I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 LEXUS ES 350. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES AN HOUR. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE NEXT THING I KNEW I HEARD GLASS RATTLING AROUND ON MY ROOF. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED INTO 1 MILLION PIECES

NHTSA ID
11363194
Incident
Oct 7, 2020
Mileage
66,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jul 15, 2019
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED BY EITHER DRIVERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. LEXUS OF MILWAUKEE LOCATED AT 1433 W SILVER SPRING DR, MILWAUKEE, WI 53209, (414) 386-5749, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND QUESTIONED ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V198000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) SOMETIME IN 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *DT '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
11231877
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Mileage
24,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

19LE05 Technical

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

KLG Dealer Packa

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

DP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022

KLG Technical In

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

19LE05 Dealer Pa

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

L-SB-0004-22

AIR BAGS

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This service bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus ES350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023100—
2022200—
2021500—
2020510—
2019520—
2018520—
2017221051.6
2016Viewing211036.1
2015161036.3
2014281043.9
2013231044.4
2012893157.4
20111533158.0
20101375159.1
20091455262.6
20082555262.7
20075395464.2

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.