What years should I avoid for the Lexus ES350?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2017 Lexus ES350. These years have complaint index scores of 100, 92, 85, and 77, the highest among the 14 model years with data.

What is the best year for the Lexus ES350?

The 2019 and 2021 Lexus ES350 are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 15 and 23, the lowest of all model years covered.

What is the most common problem with the Lexus ES350?

Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 343 of 511 total complaints, or 67%.

Does the 2017 Lexus ES350 have a recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists one recall for the 2017 ES350 covering a right-hand tie rod lock nut that may loosen over time.

How many complaints does the Lexus ES350 have in total?

NHTSA lists 511 total complaints and 10 recall campaigns across the 2010-2023 Lexus ES350 model years covered.

Lexus ES350 Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)

Avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2017 Lexus ES350 model years, which rank worst with complaint index scores of 100, 92, 85, and 77. Airbags drive most complaints in 2010-2012 (up to 95% share in 2011), while 2017 saw a steering tie-rod recall and structure/body issues. 2019 and 2021 are the best years, scoring 15 and 23.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012 Avoid 2017 Best 2019 Best 2021

Model years: 14; 2010–2023
NHTSA complaints: 511
Recall campaigns: 10
Crashes reported: 44
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Airbags

ES350 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Lexus ES350 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	136	10	0	4	Airbags	22	—
2011	Avoid	92	153	7	0	3	Airbags	22	—
2012	Avoid	85	89	3	2	3	Airbags	22	3★
2013	Caution	69	23	5	0	1	Visibility & Wipers	24	5★
2014	Caution	54	28	4	0	1	Electrical System	24	5★
2015	Good	38	16	1	0	1	Brakes	24	5★
2016	Good	46	21	1	0	1	Brakes	24	5★
2017	Avoid	77	22	8	0	1	Structure & Body	24	5★
2018	Good	31	5	1	0	2	Engine	24	5★
2019	Best	15	5	0	0	2	Fuel System	25.5	5★
2020	Caution	62	5	3	0	1	Airbags	25.5	5★
2021	Best	23	5	1	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	25.5	5★
2022	No verdict	8	2	0	0	0	Brakes	25.5	5★
2023	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Visibility & Wipers	25.5	5★

ES350 years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Lexus ES350 Index 100 · 136 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2010 ES350 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100 and ranks worst overall. Airbags account for 79% of its 136 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,500 for that category. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and NHTSA lists four recall campaigns covering airbag inflators. Engine and structure/body complaints each made up 6% of reports, with engine issues occurring at a much lower median mileage of 15,400.

2010 airbags problems →

2011 Lexus ES350 Index 92 · 153 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2011 ES350 scores 92 on the complaint index, the second-worst year. Airbags dominate at 95% of its 153 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,000. Owners described airbags not deploying during collisions, including low-speed impacts. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns tied to airbag inflators. Electrical and engine problems each accounted for only 3% of complaints, occurring at much lower mileage around 18,000.

2011 airbags problems →

2012 Lexus ES350 Index 85 · 89 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2012 ES350 has a complaint index of 85. Airbags made up 87% of its 89 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,000, including reports of airbags failing to deploy and a knee airbag causing injury. Structure & body issues followed at 6%, with a higher median mileage of 59,000. Three recall campaigns cover airbag components for this year, including one specific to the 2012 ES350.

2012 airbags problems →

2017 Lexus ES350 Index 77 · 22 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2017 ES350 carries a complaint index of 77 despite having only 22 total complaints, ranking fourth-worst. Structure & body and visibility/wipers issues each account for 18% of complaints. Owners reported suspension and steering failures at low mileage, including a ball-joint detachment at 352 miles and a tie-rod-related control arm fracture at 10,000 miles. NHTSA issued one recall for a right-hand tie rod lock nut that may loosen over time.

Most common Lexus ES350 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags343 (67%)
Other48 (9%)
Engine34 (7%)
Electrical System32 (6%)
Structure & Body30 (6%)
Brakes29 (6%)
Visibility & Wipers19 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (3%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (2%)
Fuel System8 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What years should I avoid for the Lexus ES350?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2017 Lexus ES350. These years have complaint index scores of 100, 92, 85, and 77, the highest among the 14 model years with data.
What is the best year for the Lexus ES350?: The 2019 and 2021 Lexus ES350 are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 15 and 23, the lowest of all model years covered.
What is the most common problem with the Lexus ES350?: Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 343 of 511 total complaints, or 67%.
Does the 2017 Lexus ES350 have a recall?: Yes. NHTSA lists one recall for the 2017 ES350 covering a right-hand tie rod lock nut that may loosen over time.
How many complaints does the Lexus ES350 have in total?: NHTSA lists 511 total complaints and 10 recall campaigns across the 2010-2023 Lexus ES350 model years covered.