2009 Lexus ES350
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 465 |
| 2008 | 255 |
| 2009 | 145 |
| 2010 | 137 |
| 2011 | 153 |
| 2012 | 89 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
70% of complaints: air bags — 101 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION ON OCTOBER 24, 2009 INVOLVING MY 2009 LEXUS ES 350. DAMAGE ESTIMATES FROM THE INVOLVED INSURANCE COMPANY TOTAL OVER $15,000.00 FOR ALL FRONTAL DAMAGE WHICH INTRUDES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20091116
TAKATA RECALL - LEXUS STATES THAT THEY CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI report, 20171102
TAKATA RECALL WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS AIRBAG REPLACED? I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM LEXUS IN MARCH DETAILING THE PROBLEM, AND TELLING ME THAT IT WOULD BE ADDRESSED. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN DONE IN SEPTEMBER. IT IS NOW 10/30.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171030
17% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
ON MONDAY AUGUST 6TH, 2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 5: 25 AM, I ([XXX]) WAS ARRIVING AT WORK AT METHODIST HOSPITAL. I PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED TO MAKE A WIDE U TURN INTO A PARKING STALL DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120810
Also filed under POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120613
GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK ON A RECALLED LEXUS LEADING TO A CRASH, AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20100315
3% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body.
CRASH INJURY3% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing starter assembly.
FIRE INJURY3% of complaints: service brakes — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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 FL
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. THES
Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed
Low-speed surging
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly.
Campaign 18V024000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Lexus ES350 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (101 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Lexus ES350 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Lexus ES350 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lexus ES350?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 70% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus ES350 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.