2014 Lexus ES350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
7,357 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 31.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Air Bags: 3; Engine: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2018: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10595943 · 2014-06-03 (June 3, 2014)
BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO INCREASE MILEAGE PER GALLON, AUTO MANUFACTURERS HAVE REDUCED WIND RESISTANCE TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE. ONE OF THE WAYS MANUFACTURERS DO THIS IS BY LOWERING THE FRONT FENDERS AND THE HOOD TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVER CAN NO LONGER SEE THEM. THIS MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO PARK THE CAR, MAKE TURNS, AND DRIVE IN GENERAL---FAR MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10597891 · 2014-06-12 (June 12, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES35O. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SHOOK AND VIBRATED WHEN THERE WAS NOT A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1400.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597891 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661446 · 2014-12-01 (December 1, 2014)
I PURCHASED MY 2015 LEXUS ES350 ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH, 2014. ON NOVEMBER 27TH, I WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGGRESSIVELY ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE CAR TO RUN OVER THE CONCRETE PARKING SPOT STOPPER AND PROPEL 200-300 FEET UNTIL I HIT A PALM TREE, STOPPING THE CAR FROM ENTERING A NEARBY LAKE. THIS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CAR. MY WIFE AND I WERE IN COMPLETE SHOCK AS I WAS UNABLE TO STOP / CONTROL THE CAR - I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES (LEAVING TIRE TRACKS) BUT THE CAR CONTINUED A…
Owner-reported narrative. 175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10683863 · 2015-02-17 (February 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES350. WHILE MAKING A U TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A FENCE AND A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 9/22/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10683863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823146 · 2016-01-29 (January 29, 2016)
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STANDING STOP OR ACCELERATING WHILE CHANGING LANES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE THE ENGINE ENGAGED. WHAT WAS MORE FRIGHTENING WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING ON THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A NEED TO CHANGE LANES, YOU PRESSED ON THE GAS THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD TYPE TO ENTER TEXT HESITATE FROM 1 TO 3 SECONDS. YOU LITERALLY FOUND YOURSELF IN NO MANS LAND, AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND YOU FOUND YOURSELF CAUGHT STRADDLING TWO LANES AND THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLYSTOPPED ACCELERATING. THIS SITUATION STARTING OCCURRING…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851024 · 2016-03-22 (March 22, 2016)
I EXPERIENCED A LOW SPEED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MY 2014 LEXUS ES350 FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DECEMBER 22, 2015. I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING PLACE WHERE I LIVE AS I HAVE DONE HUNDREDS OF TIMES. AS I WAS TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO STARTING HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I HEARD THE ENGINE REVVING AND I WAS TAKEN TOTALLY BY SURPRISE. MY REACTION WAS TO TURN TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE WALL IN FRONT OF ME WHILE HITTING THE BRAKE WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE FROM THE CAR. I HIT THE WALL WITH THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,214 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10894408 · 2016-08-09 (August 9, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10894408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10899773 · 2016-08-31 (August 31, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10899773 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V728000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
Reported: 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
Consequence: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
NHTSA campaign record ↗