Lexus ES — YEARS TO AVOID

Data updated 2026-08-02. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

Avoid: 2007 · Best bets: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2010, 2011

COMPLAINT HISTORY

Complaints per year, Lexus ES Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2025 highlighted. 1996: 1 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 6 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2002: 27 complaints 2003: 23 complaints 2004: 16 complaints 2004 2005: 58 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 125 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2008 2009: 28 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 32 complaints 2014: 3 complaints 2015: 5 complaints 2016: 8 complaints 2016 2017: 2 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 34 complaints 2020: 17 complaints 2020 2021: 27 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2023: 8 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2024 2025: 4 complaints 2025
2025: 4 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
19972
19981
19998
20006
20012
200227
200323
200416
200558
200612
2007125
200868
200928
201040
201145
201230
201332
20143
20155
20168
20172
20185
201934
202017
202127
20228
20238
20249
20254

EVERY YEAR, RANKED

YearRankingComplaintsWhy
2025 Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2024 Not enough data 9 Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2023 Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2022 Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2021 Not enough data 27 Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2020 Not enough data 17 Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2019 Recommended 34 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2018 Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2017 Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2016 Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2015 Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2014 Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2013 Recommended 32 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2012 Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2011 Recommended 45 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2010 Recommended 40 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2009 Not enough data 28 Only 28 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2008 Caution 68 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 Avoid 125 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2006 Not enough data 12 Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2005 Caution 58 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2004 Not enough data 16 Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2003 Not enough data 23 Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2002 Not enough data 27 Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2001 Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2000 Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1999 Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1998 Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996 Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.