YearToAvoid

2015 Lexus ES350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

38/100

#9 most-complained of 14 ES350 years

The 2015 Lexus ES350 has 16 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and a complaint index of 38, ranking 9th out of 14 model years. NHTSA gives it a "Good" verdict relative to other ES350 years, with Brakes and Electrical System tied as the top problem areas.

Complaints
16
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 31 hwy

Top 2015 Lexus ES350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other7 (44%)
  2. Brakes4 (25%)
  3. Electrical System4 (25%)
  4. Engine2 (13%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (6%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal failing to stop the car promptly, causing it to lurch forward or travel several feet before stopping.
  • Some drivers say the adaptive cruise control braked forcefully on its own on the highway, forcing the car behind to brake to avoid a collision.
  • Several complaints describe long delays getting the pre-collision system (PCS) recall parts, with owners waiting many months for a repair.
  • The push-button start reportedly stopped working reliably after about eleven months of normal use, requiring repeated attempts to start the car.
  • Owners describe interior and exterior lights shutting off unexpectedly at night while driving, reducing visibility of the road.
  • Some report the dashboard surface turning shiny and sticky over time, creating a windshield reflection that impairs visibility in sunlight.
2015 Lexus ES350 complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2015Mar 2016Sep 2016Nov 2016Dec 2017Jan 2020Oct 2022
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2015 to May 2023; peak Nov 2016 (4).

2015 Lexus ES350 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V728000Nov 3, 2015Collision Avoidance & Cameras30,812 vehicles

    Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.

    Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.

2015 Lexus ES350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other ES350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Caution6923124
2014Caution5428124
2015Good3816124
2016Good4621124
2017Avoid7722124

All Lexus ES350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Lexus ES350 reliable?
NHTSA lists 16 complaints and 1 recall for the 2015 ES350, giving it a complaint index of 38 and a "Good" verdict compared to other ES350 model years.
What is the top problem area for the 2015 Lexus ES350?
Brakes and Electrical System are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 25% of complaints (4 complaints each).
Does the 2015 Lexus ES350 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 15V728000) covers the forward collision avoidance (pre-collision) system, affecting components shared with 2013-2015 Avalon and ES350/ES300h vehicles.
How does the 2015 ES350 rank against other ES350 years?
It ranks 9th worst out of 14 model years with data, with a complaint index of 38, well below the worst year (2010, index 100) but above the best year (2019, index 15).
What mileage do brake problems typically show up at on the 2015 ES350?
The median mileage at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2015 ES350 is 8,012.5 miles.

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.