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2016 Lexus ES350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 2016 Lexus ES350, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 16V-198 the manufacturer reports only 91% of affected cars repaired.

2016 Lexus ES350
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 91%Owner complaints211 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage12kService brakes, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 4, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2016 Lexus ES350 has problems

21 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes31
Engine20
Air bags21
Electrical system20
Vehicle speed control20
Fuel/propulsion system10
Equipment10
Steering10
Structure10
4 other systems40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2016 Lexus ES350 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

91%repaired · 2017 Q3

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 16V-198 · Apr 7, 2016 · 16,656 vehicles · 15,082 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Best & worst years

2016 vs. every other ES350 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES350 median. How we score

'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2016 Lexus ES350 safety ratings

2016 Lexus ES350 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2016 Lexus ES350 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2016 Lexus ES350 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2016 Lexus ES350 side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (11.1% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What ES350 owners report

Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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 11231877 · Jul 15, 2019 · 24,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10896708 · Aug 17, 2016 · 2,500 miles

Own a 2016 ES350?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.