RoadVitals

2017 Lexus ES350 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
22
Latest Sep 21, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 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

  • Visibility418.2%
  • Body & structure313.6%
  • Brakes313.6%
  • Airbags29.1%
  • Driver assistance29.1%
  • Electrical29.1%
  • Suspension29.1%
  • Exterior lighting14.5%
  • Steering14.5%
  • Engine14.5%
  • Interior & seats14.5%

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the sunroof exploded without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,200.

NHTSA ID 11431198 · filed Aug 31, 2021

REAR TINTED INSIDE THE GLASS WINDOW HAS BUBBLES AND SMEARED ADHESIVE ACROSS GLASS CAUSING IT HARD TO VIEW WHAT IS BEHIND ME. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENS I BOUGHT THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 16, 2016. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME IN THE LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2020.

NHTSA ID 11316655 · filed Mar 6, 2020

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HAVING JUST PICKED PICKED UP THIIS CAR I JUST BOUGHT FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD EXPOLOSION UP ABOVE AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING PIECES OF GLASS INTO MY CAR. I WAS SCRATCHED AND HAD TO GET HOME 1/2 HOUR AWAY. DEALERSHIP WAS FAR. THE DEALERSHHIP SAID TO CALL THE INSURANCE. I THINK IT COULD BET THE WAY THE SUNROOF WAS PUT IN BUT NOT SURE.

NHTSA ID 11352909 · filed Sep 3, 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR AT 6:45 PM ON TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH, MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND GLASS FRAGMENTS FELL INSIDE MY VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION, THERE WERE NOT ANY CARS AROUND MY VEHICLE NOR DID I HIT ANY OBJECT ON THE ROAD INCLUDING A POTHOLE. THE EXPLOSION SOUNDED AS IF A GUN WENT OFF NEAR MY HEAD AND THE GLASS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SPLIT INTO SMALL PIECES. OTHER THAN HAVING SOME RINGING IN MY EARS AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION NOISE, I DID NOT SUFFER ANY OTHER PHYSICAL DAMAGE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE LEXUS DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HAD A CASE WHERE A SUNROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT SOMETHING HITTING IT DIRECTLY. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT NOTHING HIT MY VEHICLE OR MY SUNROOF AS I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY CAR OR TRUCK AROUND ME AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. I AM FILING THIS IN ORDER TO GET IT DOCUMENTED AND TO SEE IF ANY OTHER LEXUS OWNER HAS HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THEIR LEXUS SUNROOF. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES OF THE SUNROOF WHICH SHOWS THE DAMAGE DONE FROM THE GLASS EXPLODING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF FOREIGN CONTACT. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE FROM THE NHTA WOULD CONTACT ME TO LET ME KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CASES LIKE THIS REPORTED.

NHTSA ID 11078384 · filed Mar 9, 2018

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact stated that a beeping alert sounded to notify him that he was approaching another vehicle. As the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal failed and the contact rear-ended the vehicle. The air bags deployed upon impact. The police and paramedics were called to the scene and the other driver was taken to the hospital; the driver's whereabouts were unknown. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an impound yard and was then towed by his insurance to assess the vehicle's damage. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID 11485669 · filed Sep 21, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WATERTOWN (330 ARSENAL ST., WATERTOWN, MA 02472, (888) 677-9785) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE LUBRICATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID 11156751 · filed Dec 7, 2018

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING AN ACCIDENT FROM REAR ENDED, AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AND NOW IT IS SAYS THAT SRS AIRBAGS ARE MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ID 11139137 · filed Oct 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE AT A STOP, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG ERROR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO NORTHSIDE LEXUS (17925 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090) WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11044187 · filed Nov 7, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact stated that a beeping alert sounded to notify him that he was approaching another vehicle. As the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal failed and the contact rear-ended the vehicle. The air bags deployed upon impact. The police and paramedics were called to the scene and the other driver was taken to the hospital; the driver's whereabouts were unknown. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an impound yard and was then towed by his insurance to assess the vehicle's damage. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID 11485669 · filed Sep 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while in reverse and slowly reversing into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a tree. The contact indicated that the unintended acceleration occurred while pressing the brake pedal and also the crash avoidance safety features did not activate. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and to a local body shop repair center. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,500.

NHTSA ID 11459976 · filed Apr 7, 2022

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2017 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING VEHICLES SAFETY CONNECT SYSTEM BEING DISCONNECTED. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID 11415894 · filed May 11, 2021

***** WHEN VENTILATED SEAT FEATURE IS TURNED ON, THERE IS TREMENDOUS HEAT THAT BEGINS TO BUILD IN THE MIDDLE/LOWER SEAT BACK. HEAT IS ALSO BEING FELT ON THE UPPER RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE BOLSTER. THIS IS CAUSING SUCH AN ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING TO LEAN FORWARD WHILE DRIVING TO AVOID THE HEAT BUILD-UP THAT 2 ACCIDENTS HAVE ALMOST OCCURRED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT MAY CATCH FIRE !!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY!!!! THIS HAPPENES AT ANYTIME WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID 11005612 · filed Jul 17, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FRACTURED AND THE CONTROL ARM ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUSPENSION ARM FRACTURED NEAR THE WHEEL BEARING. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB. AS THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STILL ENDED UP ON THE CURB. THE CONTACT PULLED THE TENDONS IN HER RIGHT ARM TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEXUS OF WESTMINSTER (7600 WESTMINSTER BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683, 1-888-413-1939) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE CRASH DATA CONCERNING THE EDR BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TO ESCALATE THE MATTER AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V415000 (STEERING). THERE WERE THREE TSBS ON THE WHEELS AND 3 TSBS ON THE TIRES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID 11096607 · filed May 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK RAPIDLY AND THE BALL JOINT DETACHED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STRUT TO SNAP OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL, STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES ON THE FOREARM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 352.

NHTSA ID 10954431 · filed Feb 14, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER FADE DURING DAY SUNLIGHT TO THE EXTENT THE READING CANNOT BE DETERMINED. WHEN THE SUN REFLECTS ON THE ON THOSE TWO ITEMS THEY FADE AND CANNOT BE READ, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD; THE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION AND OCCURS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING. THE FADING OF THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY CANNOT BE READ UNDER THE ABOVE CONDITIONS WHEN THE SUNLIGHT ENTERS THE CAR. SINCE YOU CANNOT READ THE SPEED MARKINGS WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AND A LEGAL LIABILITY FOR HE DRIVER.

NHTSA ID 10980006 · filed Apr 23, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FRACTURED AND THE CONTROL ARM ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUSPENSION ARM FRACTURED NEAR THE WHEEL BEARING. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB. AS THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STILL ENDED UP ON THE CURB. THE CONTACT PULLED THE TENDONS IN HER RIGHT ARM TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEXUS OF WESTMINSTER (7600 WESTMINSTER BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683, 1-888-413-1939) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE CRASH DATA CONCERNING THE EDR BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TO ESCALATE THE MATTER AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V415000 (STEERING). THERE WERE THREE TSBS ON THE WHEELS AND 3 TSBS ON THE TIRES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID 11096607 · filed May 17, 2018

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (BELL LEXUS NORTH SCOTTSDALE, 18555 N SCOTTSDALE RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255, (480)-502-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SYSTEM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,534.

NHTSA ID 11104727 · filed Jun 29, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

***** WHEN VENTILATED SEAT FEATURE IS TURNED ON, THERE IS TREMENDOUS HEAT THAT BEGINS TO BUILD IN THE MIDDLE/LOWER SEAT BACK. HEAT IS ALSO BEING FELT ON THE UPPER RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE BOLSTER. THIS IS CAUSING SUCH AN ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING TO LEAN FORWARD WHILE DRIVING TO AVOID THE HEAT BUILD-UP THAT 2 ACCIDENTS HAVE ALMOST OCCURRED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT MAY CATCH FIRE !!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY!!!! THIS HAPPENES AT ANYTIME WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID 11005612 · filed Jul 17, 2017

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

Data on this page last refreshed .