VehicleVerdict

2016 Lexus Es350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 2016 Lexus Es350 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

27

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Es350 years?

Es350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted529 complaints2007: 529 complaints2008: 276 complaints2009: 154 complaints2010: 150 complaints2011: 161 complaints2012: 94 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 26 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 27 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 10 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 2 complaints
Es350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Es350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Lexus Es350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other830%
Electrical System415%
Brakes311%
Airbags27%
Engine27%
Speed Control27%
Driver Assistance14%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Steering14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Fuel System14%

Does the 2016 Lexus Es350 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V198000Electrical SystemApril 7, 2016 · 16,656 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON FEB. 25, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 7 AM I WAS DRIVING ALONG A LOCAL ROUTE IN HICKSVILLE, NY IN MY 2016 LEXUS ES 350 TRAVELING APPROX. 40 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE NEXT THING I KNEW I HEARD GLASS RATTLING AROUND ON MY ROOF. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT MY SUNROOF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 25, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES350. WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED AND AFFECTED THE RADIO. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 7, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 11, 2019 · crash

“I BOUGHT USED 2016 LEXUS ES350, MILES 84000, AND AFTER A MONTH I HEARD RATTLING NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. MOST LIKELY FROM WATER PUMP PULLY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 3, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 11, 2019 · crash

2016 Lexus Es350 — common questions

Is the 2016 Lexus Es350 reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2016 Es350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (8 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).

Does the 2016 Lexus Es350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2016 Lexus Es350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus Es350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Es350 years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009, 2010, 2012. The cleanest record among Es350 years belongs to 2023.

How safe is the 2016 Lexus Es350?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Lexus Es350 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.