Is the 2021 Lexus ES350 reliable?

The 2021 Lexus ES350 has 6 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: WHEELS problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Lexus ES350?

Top problems: WHEELS (2 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (1 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Lexus ES350?

No recalls have been issued for the 2021 Lexus ES350.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Lexus ES350?

The 2021 Lexus ES350 gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Lexus ES350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Lexus ES350 is approximately $2,250/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.

2021 Lexus ES350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2021 Lexus ES350 has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is wheels problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: my car had 3 tire/wheel issues in less than 4 months. left me stranded on the side of the road. was told this is a common issue. basically lexus knows they have a problem but do not have plans to fix other than offer insurance. it is costly repair. the bigger issue is the safety one. i believe.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

WHEELS

2 complaints

33%

• My car had 3 tire/wheel issues in less than 4 months. Left me stranded on the side of the road. Was told this is a common issue. Basically Lexus knows they have a problem but do not have plans to fix other than offer insurance. It is costly repair. The bigger issue is the safety one. I believe
• While driving my 2021 Lexus ES 350 on a Interstate Highway 495 known as the Long Island Expressway my vehicle went over a small pot hole in the road way and the tires side wall was punctured resulting in a flat tire. I replaced the tire having only 4,555 miles on this new vehicle. Following this

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“My car had 3 tire/wheel issues in less than 4 months. Left me stranded on the side of the road. Was told this is a common issue. Basically Lexus knows they have a problem but do not have plans to fix other than offer insurance. It is costly repair. The bigger issue is the safety one. I believe”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Lexus ES350

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/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 2021 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

$2,250

Full coverage / month

$188

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+34%

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 rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2250

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 2021 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

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
WHEELS: My car had 3 tire/wheel issues in less than 4 months. Left me stranded on the side of the road. Was told this is a common issue. Basically Lexus knows they have a problem but do not have plans to fix other than offer insurance. It is costly repair. The bigger issue is the safety one. I believe
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WHEN I OPENED MY VEHICLE DOOR AT NIGHT AND EXITING MY VEHICLE THE VEHICLE DOOR DOES NOT PROVIDE A VISUAL WARNING TO OTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS IN THE PATH OF MY 2021 LEXUS ES 350. I DID AN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND THAT ALL OPENING DOORS ON ALL 17 MILLION VEHICLE DOORS DO NOT PROVIDE AN ADDED ZONE OF ILLUM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: My opened vehicle doors can not be seen in the path of other vehicle drivers when standing outside the opened vehicle door blocking the light on the vehicle doors. To solve this problem I added a Fluorescent Yellow/Green Retro-Reflective Tape to the lower interior door edge of each vehicle door tha
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TIRES: My car had 3 tire/wheel issues in less than 4 months. Left me stranded on the side of the road. Was told this is a common issue. Basically Lexus knows they have a problem but do not have plans to fix other than offer insurance. It is costly repair. The bigger issue is the safety one. I believe
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)