2016 Lexus ES350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
18,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 21 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System) | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Service Brakes: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10896708 · 2016-08-17 (August 17, 2016)
THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON LEXUS 2016 ES 350 IN APRIL 2016 FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WHICH COULD CAUSE BRAKE PRESSURE TO FAIL. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN ESCONDIDO, CA. TELLS ME....... "WE DON'T HAVE THE PARTS AND WE WILL CALL YOU WHEN WE GET THE PARTS." I AM DRIVING A BRAND NEW CAR THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH A PORTION OF FMVSS 126, LOSS OF VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. IT IS NOW MID AUGUST 2016. I WILL PROBABLY BE DEAD IF THE BRAKES GO OUT AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPORT TO YOU WHERE THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916895 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
2016 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM/ BRAKE ACTUATOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SIX WEEKS AFTER LEASING THE VEHICLE. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM/BRAKE ACTUATOR SYSTEM ENGAGED FOR NO REASON; BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO AN UNCONTROLLED ABRUPT STOP, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY LEXUS MECHANICS, ENGINEERS AND SPECIALIST THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER SENT A PAYMENT OF $1000, INDICATING THE COST OF DISCONNECTING THE PCS OP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10916895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10981330 · 2017-04-28 (April 28, 2017)
WHILE TURNING RIGHT FROM ONE STREET TO ANOTHER, THERE WAS COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT-OFF, AND SEVERAL SECONDS PASSED BEFORE I COULD RE-START THE CAR, THIS OCCURRING IN MORNING RUSH HOUR, AND BARELY AVERTED AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR ALSO HAS HAD NUMEROUS RANDOM AND OCCASIONAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, MIRRORS MOVING ON THEIR OWN, GARAGE OPENER NOT WORKING, SEAT MEMORY NOT WORKING, ETC. SHOP CAN'T DUPLICATE THEM AND THEREFORE CANNOT FIX. LEXUS DOES NOT RESPOND. WORRY IS THAT ENGINE CUT-OFF MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND ALSO WORRY THAT THERE IS AN OVERALL ELECTRICAL P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10981330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463348 · 2022-05-04 (May 4, 2022)
Steering wheel vibrations after 65 MPH is reach, more noticeable when vehicle has reached the speed and cruising. Had tires rebalanced and rotated and issue still persists. The vibration feels like when a wheel lock is loose or missing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463348 at NHTSA ↗