2016 Lexus ES350
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Lexus ES350 has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is other problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: 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.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
27
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
OTHER
9 complaints- • 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.
- • 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
- • 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.
“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.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lexus ES350
Based on 14 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
OTHER
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
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."
Risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Lexus ES350
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Lexus ES350
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lexus ES350 Service Intervals
Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids
These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2016 ES350, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐OTHER: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: 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 BU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 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 MOVIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus ES350 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 27
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 26
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Lexus ES350