2016 Lexus ES350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Lexus ES350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance316.7%
- Electrical316.7%
- Brakes316.7%
- Airbags211.1%
- Engine211.1%
- Visibility15.6%
- Fuel system15.6%
- Steering15.6%
- Suspension15.6%
- Body & structure15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING IN A STORM ALL THE FORWARD LOOKING SENSORS FAILED AS THE SENSOR BECAME COVERED WITH SNOW AND ICE. THESE ARE THE SENSORS THAT CONTROL COLLISION ALERT, LANE DEPARTURE ALERT, CRUSE CONTROL ETC. THE SAFETY FUNCTIONS MOST REQUIRED IN BAD WEATHER FAILED.
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN IT STARTED TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE AND PULL BACK TO A STANDSTILL. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR BUT NOTHING WOULD STOP THE DECELERATION. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY SINCE THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I FELLT THAT I COULD REENTER TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO BUT WITHOUT THE CRUISE COUNTROL ENGAGED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR GONE OFF THE ROAD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT NIGHT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD CONSEQUENCES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING IN A STORM ALL THE FORWARD LOOKING SENSORS FAILED AS THE SENSOR BECAME COVERED WITH SNOW AND ICE. THESE ARE THE SENSORS THAT CONTROL COLLISION ALERT, LANE DEPARTURE ALERT, CRUSE CONTROL ETC. THE SAFETY FUNCTIONS MOST REQUIRED IN BAD WEATHER FAILED.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WEAK BRAKE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS CALLED BY LEXUS TO SAY THERE WAS A RECALL 2 MONTHS AGO. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND LEFT MY CAR THERE. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER. THEY CALLED AND APOLOGIZED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY DID AND I RETURNED THE LOANER AND TOOK MY CAR BACK. THEN A MONTH LATER HEY CALLED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK IF THEY HAD THE PART, AND THEY CALLED ME BACK AN HOUR LATER SAYING 'OOPS WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE PART'. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR FOR OVER 2 MONTHS AND AM WORRIED I AM AT RISK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS SHATTERED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE COVER WAS CLOSED DUE TO THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN IT STARTED TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE AND PULL BACK TO A STANDSTILL. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR BUT NOTHING WOULD STOP THE DECELERATION. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY SINCE THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I FELLT THAT I COULD REENTER TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO BUT WITHOUT THE CRUISE COUNTROL ENGAGED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR GONE OFF THE ROAD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT NIGHT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD CONSEQUENCES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .