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2016 Lexus ES350 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2016 Lexus ES350 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the driver assistance (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2016 for the antilock / traction control / electronic limited slip. For comparison, the 2015 has 16 and the 2017 has 22.

NHTSA data checked

AFar fewer problems than a typical ES350 year, for its age

#178 most complained-about 2016 vehicle

Complaints
21
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2016 Lexus ES350 problems

Share of all 21 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2016 Lexus ES350 recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

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

What owners say

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21 complaints about the 2016 Lexus ES350

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

SteeringSuspension

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.

Filed Incident Steering · SuspensionNHTSA 11463348
Body, doors & structure

2016 Lexus ES350 with the 2nd row sunroof. While driving the car the front sunroof shattered without cause, sending glass pieces into the cabin creating a very dangerous situation. This appears to be a problem that has happened many times before as there are many people that have talked about this issue. Lexus denied fault.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11460004
Other & unknown

Effective in 2022 all cellular carriers are upgrading to 5G. With this transition a majority of vehicles will no longer be able to use their vehicles emergency crash response systems. In my 2016 Lexus ES350 the Emergency SOS system utilizes 3G cellular service which will be turned off in 2022 making an automated call in the event of a crash impossible. The DOT needs to block this measure as owners of vehicles should not be forced to purchase a newer vehicle simply for emergency services.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11444708
Other & unknown

At 1 p.m. July 5, 2021, I was driving on the expressway on a short trip from home (about 5 miles). Temperature outside was 83 degrees, inside car 70 degrees. No overpasses, nearby cars, or debris noted from roadway. We heard a loud explosion. Seeing no other vehicles, feeling nothing wrong with the tires, or broken mirrors, I cracked open the moon roof slightly and noticed shattered glass. Fortunately, we had the interior moon roof flap of the vehicle closed which prevented the shards from falling on us. ...

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There was no warning that this would happen. As it is a holiday, I am awaiting a response from both the insurance company and the dealership. You will note the "upward" explosion that would not be typical of an object coming from the road. We noted nothing from the road or sky (partly cloudy day).

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11423477
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11406389
Other & unknown

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 (panoramic roof) had shattered into 1 thousand pieces.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11367051
Other & unknown

On october 7 at approximately 5 am I was driving on interstate 285 eastbound in atlanta georgia. I was driving my 2016 lexus es 350. I was traveling at a speed of approximately 75 miles an hour. 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 had shattered into 1 million pieces

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11363194
AirbagsBrakesCrash

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 injuries sustained by either drivers. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop to be repaired. Lexus of milwaukee located at 1433 w silver spring dr, milwaukee, wi 53209, (414) 386-5749, was contacted by phone and...

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questioned about possible recalls for which the vehicle might have been subjected to. The contact was informed that the vehicle had been repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 16v198000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control) sometime in 2017. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. *Dt 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*Jb

Filed Incident Air bags · Service brakesNHTSA 11231877
Other & unknown

Thin windshield. Windshield must be extremely thin. I bought a certified lexus oct 2016. Windshield cracked starting from left black border around windshield. Safelite replaced it. 6 Days later, driving down the highway and it cracked in the same place starting from the black border. No rocks hit it. I have been driving 35 years and never replaced a windshield. Now 2 in 6 days. Something isn't right lexus.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11195857
Visibility & wipers

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 lexus es350. While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the sun roof exploded and glass shattered outside of the vehicle. The side cover was closed due to the failure. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11186732
Other & unknown

Sunroof spontaneously shattered while I was driving down the road.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11164635
Brakes

WEAK BRAKE

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11152933
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlDriver assistance

Driving in a storm all the forward looking sensors failed as the sensor became covered with snow and ice. These are the sensors that control collision alert, lane departure alert, cruse control etc. The safety functions most required in bad weather failed.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 11053832
Airbags

Takata recall: I was called by lexus to say there was a recall 2 months ago. I made an appointment and left my car there. They gave me a loaner. They called and apologized they didn't have the replacement part. They said they would call me when they did and I returned the loaner and took my car back. Then a month later hey called and scheduled an appointment again for the same reason. I asked them to check if they had the part, and they called me back an hour later saying 'oops we still don't have the part'. This is not acceptable. I am driving an unsafe car for over 2 months and am worried I am at risk.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11044398
Other & unknown

I have own two lexus's a 2014 and 2016 and it appeared that the windshields are extremely thin because I have had rocks crack them on the interstate, on both of the different cars. I am certain that others have had this troubles as well. I was traveling on a major highway.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11018760
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

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 problem that affects major systems, including engine operation.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10981330
Acceleration & cruise controlFuel system

I was driving the car on the freeway with the cruise control on when it started to rapidly decelerate and pull back to a standstill. I pushed the accelerator but nothing would stop the deceleration. I had to pull over to the side of the freeway since the car eventually stopped and pushed the button to turn off the cruise control. After a few minutes, I fellt that I could reenter traffic and was able to do so but without the cruise countrol engaged. I took it into the dealer who indicated that they could find nothing. This was a very dangerous situation and I could have been rear ended or gone off the road. If this had happened at night there could have been very bad consequences.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10920004
Driver assistance

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 option. The consumer reluctantly accepted the offer.*Js

Filed Incident Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 10916895
Brakes

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 incident happened. What can I do to save my self and possibly others?

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10896708
Equipment & accessories

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 was 5,000.

Filed Incident EquipmentNHTSA 10872984
Other & unknown

The car has a system just like a computer. The 'mouse' has a light that flits over the screen. It is very hard to control while driving and I find it more dangerous then texting while driving. You really should look into this.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10862543

Lexus ES350: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20200100-A
20190200-A
20185210Acceleration & cruise controlA
201722180Visibility & wipersC
201621110BrakesA
201516110BrakesA
201428140Electrical systemB
201350170BrakesC
2012116373AirbagsF
All ES350 years

2016 Lexus ES350 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2016 Lexus ES350

Does the 2016 Lexus ES350 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Lexus ES350: antilock / traction control / electronic limited slip (April 2016). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lexus ES350?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), driver assistance (2), electrical system (2).

How many complaints has the 2016 Lexus ES350 had?

21 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 2, 2016 and the latest on May 4, 2022. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES350 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 80 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Lexus ES350 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lexus ES350 years have the most complaints?

2007 (664), 2008 (323), 2011 (197). See every Lexus ES350 year compared.

What should I do if my 2016 Lexus ES350 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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