YearToAvoid

2017 Lexus ES350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

77/100

#4 most-complained of 14 ES350 years

The 2017 Lexus ES350 has a Complaint Index of 77, ranking 4th worst out of 14 model years, with an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 22 complaints, 8 crashes, 5 injuries, and 1 recall for a steering tie rod lock nut.

Complaints
22
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
8 / 0
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 30 hwy

Top 2017 Lexus ES350 problems

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

  1. Structure & Body4 (18%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers4 (18%)
  3. Brakes3 (14%)
  4. Electrical System3 (14%)
  5. Other3 (14%)
  6. Airbags2 (9%)
  7. Engine2 (9%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (9%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (9%)
  10. Steering1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the front suspension ball joint detaching while driving around 50 mph, causing loss of control.
  • Some drivers experienced brake pedal failure or an ABS warning shortly after purchase, leading to a collision.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in rear-end crashes, with the airbag warning light illuminating afterward.
  • A driver reported sudden unintended acceleration while reversing at low speed, resulting in a crash into a tree.
  • The tachometer and speedometer reportedly fade and become unreadable in direct sunlight, described as a safety hazard.
  • One owner reported the panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattering while driving at highway speed.
2017 Lexus ES350 complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2017Jul 2017Mar 2018Aug 2018May 2019Sep 2020Aug 2021
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2017 to Sep 2022; peak Jul 2017 (2).

2017 Lexus ES350 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V415000Jun 29, 2017Steering1,761 vehicles

    Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017 Lexus ES350 vehicles. The right-hand side tie rod lock nut may loosen over time.

    Risk: If the lock nut loosens, the tie rod may separate causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lock nut and, if it is found loose, replace the lock nut, steering gear assembly, and tie rod assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is HLC.

2017 Lexus ES350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
30 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.

2017 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
2015Good3816124
2016Good4621124
2017Avoid7722124
2018Good315224
2019Best155225.5

All Lexus ES350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Lexus ES350 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 ES350 a Complaint Index of 77, the 4th worst among 14 model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other ES350 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Lexus ES350?
Structure & Body and Visibility & Wipers issues each account for 18% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Electrical System at 14% each, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2017 Lexus ES350 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (17V415000) covers a right-hand tie rod lock nut that may loosen over time; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 ES350 compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 77 is worse than 2015 (38, Good) and 2016 (46, Good) but better than 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (92, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Lexus ES350?
EPA rates it at 24 mpg combined (21 city/30 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,700.

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.