Is the 2017 Lexus ES350 reliable?

The 2017 Lexus ES350 has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Lexus ES350?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (4 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (3 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Lexus ES350?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. Contact any Lexus dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Lexus ES350?

The 2017 Lexus ES350 gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Lexus ES350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Lexus ES350 is approximately $2,014/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Lexus ES350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Lexus ES350 has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is visibility problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: the windshield cracked two times within two years. first time, there was no visible sign (or noise) of any rock hitting windshield as i parked the car in sun. when i came back to parking, the windshield was cracked and the crack extended in length as i drove. it costs me $500 in insurance deductible. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

15%

• THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWO TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. FIRST TIME, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN (OR NOISE) OF ANY ROCK HITTING WINDSHIELD AS I PARKED THE CAR IN SUN. WHEN I CAME BACK TO PARKING, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND THE CRACK EXTENDED IN LENGTH AS I DROVE. IT COSTS ME $500 IN INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE
• UPON APPROACHING MY CAR, IN A CONTROLLED PARKING LOT (CAR IS STATIONARY), I NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED. SUNROOF SHOWS DEFECTIVE BUBBLE, AND OUTER-EDGES APPEAR TO HAVE CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND. INVESTIGATION OF THE AREA AROUND THE CAR SHOWS NO FOREIGN
• REAR TINTED INSIDE THE GLASS WINDOW HAS BUBBLES AND SMEARED ADHESIVE ACROSS GLASS CAUSING IT HARD TO VIEW WHAT IS BEHIND ME. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENS I BOUGHT THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 16, 2016. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME IN THE LAST WEEK OF FEB

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWO TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. FIRST TIME, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN (OR NOISE) OF ANY ROCK HITTING WINDSHIELD AS I PARKED THE CAR IN SUN. WHEN I CAME BACK TO PARKING, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND THE CRACK EXTENDED IN LENGTH AS I DROVE. IT COSTS ME $500 IN INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Lexus ES350

Based on 23 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 9K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY29/06/2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017 Lexus ES350 vehicles. The right-hand side tie rod lock nut may loosen over time.

Risk: If the lock nut loosens, the tie rod may separate causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lock nut and, if it is found loose, replace the lock nut, steering gear assembly, and tie rod assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is HLC.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Lexus ES350

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Lexus ES350

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,014

Full coverage / month

$168

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+20%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2014

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus ES350 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2017 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

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWO TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. FIRST TIME, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN (OR NOISE) OF ANY ROCK HITTING WINDSHIELD AS I PARKED THE CAR IN SUN. WHEN I CAME BACK TO PARKING, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND THE CRACK EXTENDED IN LENGTH AS I DROVE. IT COSTS ME $500 IN INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: MONDAY, JUNE 5TH,I BOUGHT THE LEXUS ES350 AT 6502 5TH AVE IN BROOKLYN. IT HASN'T BEEN A WEEK YET, AND ON FRIDAY THE 9TH, THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING FROM STATEN ISLAND TO FLUSHING TO PICK UP MY FRIEND TO GO BACK TO MY HOME. ALONG THE 495 HIGHWAY, WE WERE DRIVING AROUND 45-50 MPH AND SUDDENL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CAR REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT WITHOUT WARNING AND BRAKE ASSIST BY PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM AS LEXUS CLAIMED. IT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. LEXUS HAS PERFORMED THE INVESTIGATION AND EXTRACTED DATA FROM EDR. THEY CONCLUDED NO DEFECT FOUND.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY (45 DEGREES) THE FRONT PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. IT WAS ABOUT 2 PM EST. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME OR ANYTHING ABOVE. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS. IT WASN'T UNTIL I LOOKE
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)