2016
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Lexus ES Change Vehicle

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For years, the Lexus ES excelled at being comfortable and luxurious, pampering rather than sporty. But Lexus modified that formula by trying to create a more engaging driving experience. And the overall result is a less satisfying upscale sedan. The ES still provides a comfy, quiet interior, gets good fuel economy, and is very reliable.
Alerts
There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.
2016
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Lexus ES

Reliability

Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how used vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system.

Overall Reliability
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2016 Potential Trouble Spots
The 2016 Lexus ES has been recalled 1 time by NHTSA. View Recalls
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Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
NA
Fuel System
NA
NA
NA
Electric System
NA
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
NA
Suspension
NA
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
NA
Body Integrity
NA
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
NA
Power Equipment
NA
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
NA
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Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 329,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2020 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2016 Lexus ES owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen difficult to see

"Mouse control is horrible and very distracting. GPS is very tedious and difficult to use and display is very poor quality compared to all my Iphone navigation apps or my Chevy Volt"

Marcos R., FL (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Display screen freezes up

"Navigation freezes have to reprogram"

Anonymous, CA (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

"Display screen froze disabling the GPS system & radio. After stopping the car and shutting off the engine, the problem self-corrected."

Jorge T., FL (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The GPS map updates are unreasonably expensive. So I just use it or a smartphone when needed."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Lexus ES 3.5-L V6)

"muc,h to confusing...... constant exasperaion."

Arnold G., NY (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

"The navigation screen was displaying multiple windows intermittently at one time. Lexus service upgraded the display software and believes the problem should not recur. No problems so far."

Anonymous, MN (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

"Give it a command and it gives you something other than what you wanted as far as a destination."

Ralph G., MO (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"On the 2016 300H Non-Nav model, the bluetooth reception while using the hands free is awful. No one can understand me and I can barely understand them. I was told it could not be fixed by the dealer and by an aftermarket parts shop. The dealer said I would have to buy a new car."

Anonymous, GA (2016 Lexus ES 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"Periodically and without pattern it does not pair with my phone when I enter car and I must turn off Bluetooth on the phone and then turn it on again."

Anonymous, FL (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

"I initially paired both of our phones to this car. Now i rarely drive it it is my wife's car, if i get within 50 feet of the car (even while we are driving in separate cars!) i t will suddenly grab my phone! Had to unpair it permanently"

Marcos R., FL (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Radio

"XM Radio would not change stations."

Roger S., GA (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"Audio cuts out randomly. Dealer did a software update to address the issue, but it didn't work."

Anonymous, OR (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
Speakers

"Navigation screen freezes Zoom on navigation constantly changes by itself"

Anonymous, CA (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
Voice control commands

"Very poor (worthless) voice recognition, I have stopped using it"

Anonymous, KS (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"Voice command system is 50% accurate at best. It often takes 3 or 4 tries to get the proper command. Many times it displays the name I requested, but also lists several more to choose from. This is very distracting and annoying. When I say call home, half the time it replies Go home. I traded in a 2012 Avalon Limited on this car. The Avalon voice command system was 95% or better on the first try. I don't understand why there is a difference - I would think they are the same systems."

Woody B., FL (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

"Give it a destination and it gives you another location rather than what you asked for."

Ralph G., MO (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Winshield washer hose was leaking right off the dealer lot"

Anonymous, WA (2016 Lexus ES 350 3.5-L V6)
Squeaks or rattles

"Center console when cold outside."

Anonymous, NC (2016 Lexus ES 3.5-L V6)

"car is made cheaply now, road noise excessive interior lights won't shut off. Lexus is not what it used to be"

Marty K., FL (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"rattles in instrument panel area. service department successfully eliminated the rattles."

Anonymous, IL (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

"Car began to make popping noises, more so in colder weather. It turned out to be the sun roof assembly shifting due to improper torque of retaining fasteners."

Anonymous, TX (2016 Lexus ES 3.5-L V6)
Wind noise

"noise was found and fixed by dealer"

Anonymous, UT (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
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Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"If you pull to a parking curb with the front of vehicle over the curve and back out, the front bumper will catch on the curb and pull the paneling loose. If severe enough several hundred dollars to repair."

Anonymous, AL (2016 Lexus ES 3.5-L V6)

"The low front end is poorly designed in that if there is a curb which the front end can even slightly graze it causes the side clips on the front wheel wells to break making those parts pull away from the frame. When brought in to re-attach it the dealer quoted me an exorbitant price to redo the bumper in their body shop. When I balked I was advised to report it to my insurance carrier. Lexus acknowledged to me that this was a common occurrence in this model. Poor design."

Anonymous, TX (2016 Lexus ES 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"The front end is so close to the ground that on at least three occasions the front lower under-bumper area has hit either a curb or a parking bumper, resulting in the whole fender on one side or the other to be detached, and causing expensive repairs and repainting."

Alvin R., CA (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

"The paint seems to be too thin. Every nick results in a paint chip."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)
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Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

What Owners Say

Overheating

"car overheated, mechanic reapplied the radiator cap and problem has not recurred,"

Anonymous, FL (2016 Lexus ES 3.5-L V6)
Radiator

"The primary symptom was the electronics in car started to act strange. Not only did the check engine light turn on but other functions stopped working. I don't remember all of the specifics. I pulled off to the side of the road and used the Enform system to call support. The rep came on (it worked surprisingly well) but the system does not send diagnostic information. (Too bad.) I gave her the symptoms but she could not help beyond asking if I the car is drivable or did I want her to call a tow-truck. I was close enough to home that I said I would drive the car. She gave me a toll-free number to call when I arrived home. I called the number and the rep and described the symptoms. She ordered a tow-truck for the next morning (I did not want to deal with it anymore that day) and drove the next morning to the dealership with the driver. Lexus provided a free loaner vehicle. When the dealership mechanic called to let me know the car was repaired (under warranty), I asked what the problem was. She said that it was the radiator. Given the symptoms, I thought this was bizarre but she said that a problem in one area of the car effects other, often unrelated areas of the car. So much for computerized vehicles!"

Ken M., NM (2016 Lexus ES 300h 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"Several of the electronic warning systems failed at the same time as did the automatic Hibeam dimming feature. the dealer repaired and charged for the repairs. It was claimed that damage was done to the main control area be an impact. No such impact ever occcued and the dealer was unable to find evidence of such an event on the onboard black box."

Anonymous, FL (2016 Lexus ES 350.0 3.5-L V6)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Premature brake wear

"Rust because apparently I don't use it often."

Anonymous, QC (2016 Lexus ES Unsure Unsure)

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

What Owners Say

Sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor)

"We had a pollution control system issue--had to have the gas cap replaced due to evap system leak that precluded cruise control from functioning for a few days"

Anonymous, LA (2016 Lexus ES 3.5-L V6)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Traction control

"Rear wheels slided a couple of times on rainy days on sharp turns"

Anonymous, WA (2016 Lexus ES 350 3.5-L V6)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Alignment

"pulling to one side"

Anonymous, NY (2016 Lexus ES 350 3.5-L V6)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

Compare 2016 Models

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This score shows whether the model had more or fewer problems overall than the average model of that year, calculated from the total number of problems reported by subscribers in all 17 trouble spots.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Apr 07 2016
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
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."
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 16V198000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 16656
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