YearToAvoid

2009 Lexus ES350 Engine Problems

NHTSA has 24 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Lexus ES350, 17% of all 145 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest engine complaint count among 17 ES350 model years. These complaints report 11 crashes, 1 fire, and 9 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 13,849 miles.

Engine complaints
24
17% of 145
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
9
Median mileage
13,849 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Lexus ES350 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 24, 2009, latest Jul 1, 2015.

2009 Lexus ES350 engine complaints: complaints filed per month9Aug 2009Oct 2009Jan 2010Apr 2010Oct 2010Feb 2011Aug 2012Nov 2014
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2009 to Jul 2015; peak Mar 2010 (9).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Lexus ES350

  1. NHTSA 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Engine4,445,056 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Engine complaints by ES350 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2007141 (26%)
  2. 200844 (17%)
  3. 200924 (17%)
  4. 20109 (7%)
  5. 20114 (3%)
  6. 20122 (2%)
  7. 20133 (13%)
  8. 20145 (18%)
  9. 20152 (13%)
  10. 20164 (19%)
  11. 20172 (9%)
  12. 20183 (60%)
  13. 20190 (0%)
  14. 20201 (20%)
  15. 20210 (0%)
  16. 20220 (0%)
  17. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Lexus ES350 have engine problems?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Lexus ES350, 17% of all complaints for this model year, including 11 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 13,849 miles.
Which Lexus ES350 year has the most engine complaints?
The 2007 Lexus ES350 has the most engine complaints (141), compared with 24 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Lexus ES350?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Lexus ES350 concerns the engine: 09V388000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.