VehicleVerdict

2017 Lexus Es350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2017 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.

26

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Es350 years?

Es350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Es350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Lexus Es350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers415%
Brakes312%
Other312%
Body & Structure312%
Airbags28%
Driver Assistance28%
Suspension28%
Electrical System28%
Steering14%
Speed Control14%
Lighting14%
Seats14%
Engine14%

Does the 2017 Lexus Es350 have recalls?

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

17V415000SteeringJune 29, 2017 · 1,761 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“UPON APPROACHING MY CAR, IN A CONTROLLED PARKING LOT (CAR IS STATIONARY), I NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED. SUNROOF SHOWS DEFECTIVE BUBBLE, AND OUTER-EDGES APPEAR TO HAVE CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND. INVESTIGATION OF THE AREA AROUND THE CAR SHOWS NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 24, 2020

“THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CAR REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT WITHOUT WARNING AND BRAKE ASSIST BY PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM AS LEXUS CLAIMED. IT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. LEXUS HAS PERFORMED THE INVESTIGATION AND EXTRACTED DATA FROM EDR. THEY CONCLUDED NO DEFECT FOUND. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 21, 2017 · crash

“WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY (45 DEGREES) THE FRONT PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. IT WAS ABOUT 2 PM EST. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME OR ANYTHING ABOVE. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS. IT WASN'T UNTIL I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 29, 2017

“The contact owns a 2017 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact stated that a beeping alert sounded to notify him that he was approaching another vehicle. As the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal failed and the contact rear-ended the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 15, 2022 · crash

“[REDACTED] WHEN VENTILATED SEAT FEATURE IS TURNED ON, THERE IS TREMENDOUS HEAT THAT BEGINS TO BUILD IN THE MIDDLE/LOWER SEAT BACK. HEAT IS ALSO BEING FELT ON THE UPPER RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE BOLSTER. THIS IS CAUSING SUCH AN ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING TO LEAN FORWARD WHILE DRIVING TO AVOID THE HEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 16, 2017

2017 Lexus Es350 — common questions

Is the 2017 Lexus Es350 reliable?

The record is thin — 26 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 2017 Es350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), other (3 complaints).

Does the 2017 Lexus Es350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2017 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 2017 Lexus Es350?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.