Lexus ES Reliability Report
Reviewed by the MotorRank Media editorial team · Last reviewed July 2026 · Our methodology
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reliability Snapshot
The Lexus ES remains one of the safest reliability bets in the luxury-sedan market because the long-running ES 350 shares Toyota-family hardware and has modest repair exposure for the class. RepairPal rates the ES 350 a 4.0 out of 5.0 (4th of 31 luxury midsize cars), with an average annual repair cost of $468 and only a 6% chance of a severe repair in a given year. J.D. Power also scores the 2025 ES at 89/100 for Quality & Reliability. The caution is the redesigned 2026 ES: it may become another strong Lexus, but first-year redesigns deserve extra patience until real owner data builds.
Back to reliability hubReliability by the numbers
- RepairPal Reliability Rating for the Lexus ES350
- 4.0 out of 5.0
- RepairPal rank-in-class for the Lexus ES350 among luxury midsize cars
- 4th out of 31
- RepairPal average annual repair cost for the Lexus ES350
- $468 per year
- RepairPal probability of a severe repair for the Lexus ES350
- 6% (vs 12% class average)
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score, 2025 Lexus ES
- 89/100 (Great)
- J.D. Power overall Consumer Rating, 2025 Lexus ES (J.D. Power names it 'Best Midsize Premium Car of 2025')
- 83/100
- iSeeCars reliability rating for the Lexus ES 350
- 7.4 out of 10 (ranked 3 of 20 most reliable luxury midsize cars)
- iSeeCars chance the Lexus ES 350 reaches at least 200,000 miles
- 32%
- iSeeCars average lifespan of the Lexus ES 350
- 168,867 miles (about 15.6 years)
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score, 2025 model-year Lexus ES (current/seventh generation, XZ10)
- 89/100
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score, 2024 model-year Lexus ES
- 88/100
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score, 2022 model-year Lexus ES
- 88/100
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score, 2021 model-year Lexus ES
- 87/100
- iSeeCars reliability rating for the 2007-2012 Lexus ES 350 generation (fifth generation, XV40)
- 8.3 out of 10
Common Lexus ES Problems
Severe vibration / shaking at highway speeds over 60 mph, typically traced to a defective CV axle/axle-shaft assembly (a widely reported ES 350 issue on RepairPal with 97 owner reports, affecting roughly the 2007-2012 model years)
MediumTypical onset: 40k-90k mi · Repair cost: $200-$800
Sticky / melting dashboard on hot-climate cars — the surface becomes glossy and tacky and can reflect glare. Toyota/Lexus issued a warranty enhancement program (NHTSA) covering affected 2007-2009 ES 350 dashboards
MediumTypical onset: 60k-120k mi · Repair cost: $1,500-$2,500 (free if covered by the warranty program)
2GR-FE 3.5L V6 front timing-cover oil leak (failed FIPG sealant; also VVT-i oil line/seal seepage). The gasket itself is cheap but labor is extensive — Toyota estimates ~24 hours, independents ~20 hours — so the repair cost is driven almost entirely by labor
MediumTypical onset: 80k-130k mi · Repair cost: $1,500-$3,300
Water pump failure and coolant seepage, a common wear item on the V6 around the 100k mark (frequently mentioned by owners alongside timing-cover leaks)
MediumTypical onset: 90k-130k mi · Repair cost: $500-$1,100
Check Engine Light with code P0505 (idle air control / idle speed, often a faulty IAC motor or vacuum leak) and infotainment/navigation display software glitches addressed via software updates
LowTypical onset: 50k-100k mi · Repair cost: $100-$400
Best & Worst Model Years
The 2007-2008 ES 350 carries the most owner complaints — chiefly the sticky/melting dashboard and early 2GR-FE quirks (such as the VVT-i cold-start rattle) — which is why CarComplaints flags them as the years to avoid (2007 has the highest logged complaint volume). The later sixth-gen cars (2013-2018) run a refined 2GR-FE with those early bugs ironed out and are the used-buy sweet spot; the 2019-2025 seventh generation is newer and has very few logged problems. The redesigned 2026 ES should be judged like any first-year redesign: buy with warranty, verify early recalls/software updates, and avoid paying a premium solely because the badge has a long reliability record.
Lexus ES Reliability by Generation
1st Gen (VZV21 / V20)
No J.D. Power long-term dataThe original ES (badged ES 250, Camry-based 2.5L V6, codename VZV21/V20 - NOT XV10, which is the 2nd gen). Excluded by most modern reliability rankings (incl. CarBuzz) for insufficient data; relevant only to collectors/budget buyers. Now 35+ years old, so age/parts attrition outweighs original build quality. Buyer note: assess individual condition, not a generation score.
2nd Gen (XV10)
No J.D. Power data (predates current ratings)Ranks near the top in CarBuzz's order. 3.0L 1MZ-FE V6. Known issues: speedometer/gauge-cluster failures, mid-90s brake wear, rare oil sludging. Note: the large 540,037-unit steering wheel set-nut recall (NHTSA 99V307000) commonly attributed to this generation actually covers 1994-1998 ES 300, overlapping into the 3rd gen. Strong long-term reputation but all examples are now 30+ years old.
3rd Gen (XV20)
No J.D. Power score (overall consumer ratings begin ~2007)3.0L 1MZ-FE V6, 4-speed auto. Low complaint volume per NHTSA. Isolated unintended-acceleration and shift-out-of-park reports; not widespread. Early years (1997-1998) are also swept into the 99V307000 steering set-nut recall. Generally regarded as a dependable used buy for its age.
4th Gen (XV30)
No J.D. Power overall score (pre-2007); weakest pre-2007 gen by complaintsSecond-lowest in CarBuzz's ranking. 3.0L then 3.3L V6 with 5-speed auto. Main weak points: transmission jerking/rough/lurching shifts and unintended-acceleration reports. Worst year 2002 (185 NHTSA complaints, concentrated in powertrain/speed-control per CarBuzz). Subject to the 420,326-unit ES 330 crankshaft-pulley recall (NHTSA 11V539000, 2004-2005, verified).
5th Gen (XV40)
J.D. Power overall consumer rating 93/100 (2010, per CarBuzz); CarBuzz rates this the LEAST reliable genMost recall-heavy generation. Verified NHTSA campaigns include the 4,445,056-unit floor-mat/accelerator recall (09V388000), the 55,000-unit equipment floor-mat recall (07E082000), and multiple Takata passenger-airbag campaigns (16V340000 = 1,754,517; 19V741000 = 928,220; 17V006000 = 577,875). 2007 is the most-complained-about ES year (5 distinct recalls touch the 2007 ES 350); sticky/cracking dashboards are a common cosmetic complaint. CarComplaints flags 2007 and 2018 as the years to be most cautious about. Strong drivetrain, but verify all recall remedies are completed.
6th Gen (XV60)
J.D. Power Quality & Reliability ~90/100 (2013) rising to ~96/100 (2017) per CarBuzz; overall consumer rating ~88/100Among the strongest ES generations for reliability. 3.5L V6 or 2.5L hybrid. Far fewer complaints (2013 ES 300h ~39 NHTSA complaints per CarBuzz). Verified recalls: PCS unintended braking (15V728000 = 30,812, 2013-2015) and an ABS-actuator O-ring brake recall (16V198000 = 16,656, 2016 ES 350); 2018 models were also swept into the broad Denso fuel-pump action (20V682000). A widely recommended used-buy window.
7th Gen (XZ10)
J.D. Power Quality & Reliability ~88/100 (2024, per CarBuzz); CarBuzz rates this the MOST reliable genFirst ES offered with AWD (ES 250). Lowest complaint volume of any gen (2019, the worst year, ~34 ES 350 complaints per CarBuzz). Early stalling/hesitation reports are largely tied to the two Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recalls (20V012000 = 1,830,752 and 20V682000 = 1,525,742, both covering 2018-2020 ES 350, verified) - confirm the pump remedy was performed. Otherwise very few repeat-owner problems.
8th Gen
Too new for J.D. Power long-term ratingsNewly launched redesign; excluded from current reliability rankings (incl. CarBuzz) for lack of field data. No established recall or owner-survey history yet. Buyer note: rely on Toyota/Lexus powertrain track record and warranty rather than a generation reliability score until data accrues.
Major Lexus ES Recalls
Low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank may fail and cause engine stalling while driving; a
1,830,752Low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank may fail and cause engine stalling while driving; affects 2018-2019 Lexus ES 350 among many Toyota/Lexus models (Jan 13, 2020, later expanded).
Expanded low-pressure fuel pump recall covering 2018-2020 Lexus ES 350; pump may fail and
1,525,742Expanded low-pressure fuel pump recall covering 2018-2020 Lexus ES 350; pump may fail and cause the engine to stall, increasing crash risk.
Accelerator pedal can be trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat and st
4,445,056Accelerator pedal can be trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat and stick wide open; the large 2004-2010 Toyota/Lexus floor-mat entrapment recall that included the 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350.
Takata passenger frontal air bag inflator may rupture due to propellant degradation; zone-
1,754,517Takata passenger frontal air bag inflator may rupture due to propellant degradation; zone-based recall including 2007-2011 Lexus ES 350 vehicles.
Pre-Collision System may unexpectedly brake when radar misreads a steel joint/plate in the
30,812Pre-Collision System may unexpectedly brake when radar misreads a steel joint/plate in the road; affects only 2013-2015 Toyota Avalon/Avalon Hybrid and Lexus ES 350/ES 300h.
Right-hand tie-rod lock nut may loosen and the tie rod can separate, causing loss of steer
1,761Right-hand tie-rod lock nut may loosen and the tie rod can separate, causing loss of steering; affects only certain 2017 Lexus ES 350 vehicles.
Recall data from NHTSA. Always check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Before You Buy
Data centers on the gasoline ES 350 (the volume model and the one tracked by RepairPal/CarComplaints). The ES 300h hybrid and ES 250 share much of the platform and are similarly low-risk, though the hybrid adds battery/inverter considerations and the 2026 redesign is too new for long-term owner history. For used ES shoppers, verify maintenance history, water-pump and oil-leak service near 100k miles, dashboard replacement on hot-climate older cars, and recall completion for any 2018-2020 fuel-pump campaigns.
What owners report
Owners overwhelmingly treat the ES as a buy-it-and-forget-it luxury sedan, with many community members reporting 200,000–270,000-plus miles on routine maintenance and describing trouble-free long-term ownership. The most frequently cited gripes are age-related rather than catastrophic: the sticky/melting dashboard on 2007–2012 (5th-gen) cars, occasional ignition-coil and water-pump wear at high mileage, and grumbles about the dated infotainment/touchpad interface on newer models. Net sentiment is that the ES is one of the most dependable cars in its class as long as basic upkeep is followed.
Lexus ES Reliability FAQ
- Is the Lexus ES reliable?
- The Lexus ES remains one of the safest reliability bets in the luxury-sedan market because the long-running ES 350 shares Toyota-family hardware and has modest repair exposure for the class. RepairPal rates the ES 350 a 4.0 out of 5.0 (4th of 31 luxury midsize cars), with an average annual repair cost of $468 and only a 6% chance of a severe repair in a given year. J.D. Power also scores the 2025 ES at 89/100 for Quality & Reliability. The caution is the redesigned 2026 ES: it may become another strong Lexus, but first-year redesigns deserve extra patience until real owner data builds.
- What are the most reliable Lexus ES model years?
- 2013-2018 (sixth generation, XV60) and 2019-2025 (seventh generation). The 2007-2008 ES 350 carries the most owner complaints — chiefly the sticky/melting dashboard and early 2GR-FE quirks (such as the VVT-i cold-start rattle) — which is why CarComplaints flags them as the years to avoid (2007 has the highest logged complaint volume). The later sixth-gen cars (2013-2018) run a refined 2GR-FE with those early bugs ironed out and are the used-buy sweet spot; the 2019-2025 seventh generation is newer and has very few logged problems. The redesigned 2026 ES should be judged like any first-year redesign: buy with warranty, verify early recalls/software updates, and avoid paying a premium solely because the badge has a long reliability record.
- Which Lexus ES years should you avoid?
- We'd approach these model years with extra caution: 2007-2008 (and to a lesser degree 2009); treat 2026 as wait-and-see.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Lexus ES?
- ~$468/yr (RepairPal, ES 350). At roughly $468/yr in unscheduled repairs, the ES is well below the luxury-midsize average of ~$739 and the all-vehicle average of ~$652. It needs the shop about 0.6 times a year and only ~6% of repairs are severe (lower than the segment norm). Premium fuel and Lexus parts add some cost, but long-term reliability and resale are class-leading.
- What are the most common Lexus ES problems?
- The most frequently reported issues are: Severe vibration / shaking at highway speeds over 60 mph, typically traced to a defective CV axle/axle-shaft assembly; Sticky / melting dashboard on hot-climate cars; 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 front timing-cover oil leak.