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Lexus ES350Model year report

2007 Lexus ES350 Problems

Complaints
539filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,783miles, 277 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 Lexus ES350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Lexus ES350 most often describe unintended or unexpected acceleration, frequently reported early in ownership and sometimes after the floor-mat recall work was done. A large share of complaints also concern the passenger-side airbag inflator recall and its long wait for parts, while a separate group describes a melting, sticky or glare-prone dashboard.

  1. Vehicle speed control

    Unexpected acceleration / floor mat trapping pedal

    • 122 complaints (23%)
    • median 16,857 mi at 2.1 yrs old (101 state mileage)
    • 49 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,300 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2006–2019

    Owners describe the car speeding up without a pedal input, or the accelerator being caught by a floor mat, often while merging, parking or pulling out of a driveway. Many say normal brake pressure did not slow the vehicle and that shifting to neutral or turning the car off was needed. Some report dealers found no stored fault code, blamed the floor mats or driver error, or said the problem could not be duplicated. Reported across a wide mileage range, many under 20,000 miles and often within the first year of ownership.

    Recall 09V388000

    What to check: Confirm the floor-mat recall work (09V388000) was completed and that the mats are the correct, properly secured type. Ask the seller whether any unintended-acceleration incident was reported and whether the pedal and mat area were inspected.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While backing my 2007 Lexus es 350 up my driveway, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and crashed into the corner of my garage. Although driving carefully and slowly, the vehicle jolted back as if the fuel injection system had kicked in. No one was injured, and I did not file an insurance claim for resulting damage to the car or the garage.”

    NHTSA complaint #10313095, filed 2010-02, 12,000 miles

    “I received a less than reassuring assessment today of how my '07 Lexus es 350 was fixed at keyes Lexus, van nuys, ca, following a recall notice. Although the accelerator pedal had been trimmed, and sound material was removed from the driver-side floor mat area, the principal sudden acceleration problem remained unsolved, according to bill horvath, Lexus service rep. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10306191, filed 2010-02, 40,500 miles
  2. Body and structure

    Melting, sticky or glare-reflecting dashboard

    • 56 complaints (10%)
    • median 68,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (34 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2021

    Owners report the dashboard surface becoming shiny, sticky or melted, especially in hot and sunny climates, and reflecting sunlight into the windshield badly enough to obscure the road. Complaints say dealers confirmed the dash needed replacement, and some describe coverage or warranty-enhancement deadlines that had already expired or notices they never received. Typically reported on cars many years old, often in hot-climate states, at mileages from about 12,000 to over 100,000.

    6 related service bulletins

    What to check: Look at the dash in direct sun for a glossy or sticky finish and cracks, and ask whether the dashboard warranty-enhancement program was ever used or is still open for this VIN.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Melting dashboard. Sun reflexting off making visibilty 0 very dangerous to see road. I have notified Lexus they told the repair date expired5/31/ 17, I recieved notification no notification of this repair notice. I dont know when it was mailed out but it seems owners must only gotten a 6 moths notice. I have talked to other owners who they carried there cars in for repairs and the warranty expired before they could get the repairs.”

    NHTSA complaint #11048402, filed 2017-11, 96,588 miles

    “Dashboard is melting. I was told I should have gotten a recall letter. I did not receive a letter pertaining to the replacement of the dash. It is between 96 to 100% for months here and the dash gets so hot even to touch it. . I put a sunscreen over windshield and punctures it. I am not asking for a replacement but just repairing it.. I love my car and intend to get new one next year but I plan on keeping it for another year. I went to sterling mccall Lexus and was told mine offer expired may, 2017. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11119856, filed 2018-08, 134,000 miles
  3. Exterior lighting

    Headlights going out or flickering while driving

    Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe HID low beams fading out or blinking off one side at a time, sometimes both at night, with the dash indicator not lighting up. Several owners say replacing bulbs restored the lights, and dealers quoted substantial costs for the bulbs; one owner reported the problem returning after replacement. Another complaint describes low beam output so short it was hard to see at night. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 80,000 miles, usually on older cars.

    What to check: Test both low beams at night and check for a warranty or service record on bulb replacement; ask whether the headlights have ever cut out in use.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Exterior lights on low beam intermittently go off, first one side then sometimes the other, I was once traveling on the interstate at night 70 MPH and they both went out. Once I pulled over and turned them on and off several times they came back on and about 10 miles down the road the right one went out again. This has been going on for about 6 months. My mechanic replaced the bulbs and checked fuses. It's still happening. Oddly, when the headlight goes out the indicator light on the dash doesn't light up either. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10808711, filed 2015-12, 78,000 miles

    “My right headlight began to flicker and did so for several weeks, then the left one started to do the same thing. Now they both completely shut off when I'm driving. I need to turn them on and off several times before they come back on. This is not only frightening, but extremely dangerous. Makes me afraid to drive after dusk. To add to the matter...... Recently, my passenger side window fell off of the track. My husband was able to manipulate the window to get it to stay up...but now I am unable to use that window. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10475310, filed 2012-09, 62,000 miles
  4. Transmission and drivetrain

    Harsh or lurching transmission behavior at low speed

    • 95 complaints (18%)
    • median 14,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (79 state mileage)
    • 32 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2018

    Owners describe a sudden lurch or surge when slowing to a stop or pulling away at low speed, sometimes interpreted as a delayed downshift. Complaints say dealers described it as normal transmission behavior or applied software updates, and in some cases a transmission repair or replacement followed. Often reported at low mileage, many cases under about 30,000 miles.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Drive the car slowly in stop-and-go traffic and on a hill to feel for lurches or delayed engagement, and ask whether transmission software updates or fluid service were done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I purchased a Lexus ES350 on 2-16-07. On 3-7-07, I experienced a gear shift failure resulting in a near rear end situation. I feel this problem is a serious safety issue and has been a ongoing problem that Lexus has not corrected. My car was towed to the dealer for repair of the transmission. I do not trust that it will be reliable .”

    NHTSA complaint #10184926, filed 2007-03, 274 miles

    “Upon pulling out of a parking spot, engine suddenly flared up excessively. Brakes failed, engine start/turn off button would not operate. Vehicle would not stop. To preclude hitting traffic on a major street, I put car in reverse. Engine continued to flare excessively. Brakes still would not engage. I could not control vehicle thus crashed into 3 parked unoccupied vehicles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10254148, filed 2009-01, 12,500 miles
  5. Air bags

    Passenger airbag inflator recall and parts wait

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe the passenger-side front airbag inflator under recall, with owners saying they were told not to use the passenger seat while waiting. Several report long delays before a replacement inflator was available and confusion over recall notices, including a repair deadline that had already passed for some. A few describe the passenger airbag indicator staying off or behaving inconsistently with different occupants. Spread across the recall period, reported at mileages from a few hundred to over 150,000.

    Recall 19V741000Recall 17V006000Recall 16V3400003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check by VIN whether the Takata inflator recalls (16V340000, 17V006000, 19V741000) were performed. Ask for paperwork showing the inflator was replaced rather than only inspected.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own a 2007 Lexus es 350 and was on the 10 fwy in the fast lane (third lane) and a car stopped for no reason and no traffic. I tried to stop and my floor mat slid forward and my car went faster and I tried to stop and push on the brake and the car was not stopping. I could not control my car and stopped into the back of a mini van. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10297275, filed 2009-12, 63,000 miles

    “My vehicle, 2005 Lexus ES350 is equipped with front passenger airbag inflators produced by takata. As of today november 22, 2017, my vehicle is still not being recall by the manufacturing to have replace the defect airbag. Also, my driver side backseat seatbelt is not hold on when latched in. I believe it is a safety that need to be fix. I am still using the vehicle for driving.”

    NHTSA complaint #11048073, filed 2017-11, 83,000 miles

Buying note. Check recall status by VIN before buying — the passenger airbag inflator and floor-mat recalls matter most — and verify the dashboard and headlights in person. A slow-speed test drive and a look at service records for transmission updates will show whether the car behaves as described above.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 539 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lexus ES350. 277 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,783 miles. Of all complaints, 60 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 49 an injury, 4 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 181 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (13), Engine (7), Steering (5), Fuel system (3), Suspension (3), Electronic stability control (2), Seats (2), Tires (2), Wheels (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall -- the dealer told me that the remedy will not be available until the second quarter of 2017. They suggest I not allow passengers in the front passenger seat until then. If this is true, any passenger I allow in that seat will be in jeopardy for the next 10 to 11 months which seems unreasonable. Is there any way to expedite this?”

NHTSA complaint #10889102, filed 2016-07, 80,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “My Lexus es 350, 2007 model, accelerated twice when I removed my foot from the gas pedal. It would cut off (decelerate) only if I press the brake pedal. The recall was completed on 2/25/2010. Removing foot off the gas pedal does not slow the vehicle infact it accelerated twice. It works in some cases. The speed was 30/40 .”

NHTSA complaint #10318099, filed 2010-03, 38,500 miles

Body and structure: “My dashboard has been melting, sticky and pieces have been falling off since 2011. I have reported it to Lexus and they said now that my car is out of warranty they won't cover it, even though there was a memo released in 2010 to replace dashboards if they were under warranty. Mine was never replaced and Lexus is claiming they have never heard of this memo.”

NHTSA complaint #10639541, filed 2014-09, 39,480 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I have a 2007 Lexus ES350. When coming to a stop the vehicle slows and then there is a bump as though the vehicle has been hit it the rear. This has happened at least 4 times. Another problem is that when accelerating the trans will speed up causing me to hit the brakes. Lexus stated that this is normal. I think its dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #10234812, filed 2008-07, 25,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

62% of the 277 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 70,000 miles.

21%0–1019%10–2522%25–5016%50–759%75–10010%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (277 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,783 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’06’08’10’12’14’16161’18’21
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Lexus ES350. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ES350 · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2007 Lexus ES350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ES 350 FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192722$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2007 Lexus ES350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 181 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 181 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202154,0080526—Not enough data
20205—1526—Not enough data
2019512,8002526—Not enough data
201859,5002524—Not enough data
2017229,1001524—Falling
20162118,0001524—Falling
20151623,0001524—Falling
20142830,00015240 · FewerFalling
20132326,0001524—Falling
20128945,58233222 · FewerFalling
201115350,0003—220 · FewerFalling
201013724,5565—2272 · MoreRising
200914519,8505—2299 · MoreStable
200825529,0004—2293 · MoreFalling
200753932,7834—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus ES350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lexus ES350?

Owners of the 2007 Lexus ES350 most often describe unintended or unexpected acceleration, frequently reported early in ownership and sometimes after the floor-mat recall work was done. The issues reported most often: Unexpected acceleration / floor mat trapping pedal; Melting, sticky or glare-reflecting dashboard; Headlights going out or flickering while driving.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007 Lexus ES350 have?

NHTSA recorded 539 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lexus ES350 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 Lexus ES350 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 253 complaints (47% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 127.

Has the 2007 Lexus ES350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2007 Lexus ES350 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Lexus ES350 (ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 Lexus ES350 reported?

Among the 277 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,783 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 70,000 miles; 62% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.