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Lexus ES350Model year report

2016 Lexus ES350 Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
18,000miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 21 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Lexus ES350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2016 Lexus ES350. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and air bags (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 83% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 141 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “On feb. 25, 2020 at approximately 7 am I was driving along a local route in hicksville, ny in my 2016 Lexus es 350 traveling approx. 40 MPH. All of a sudden I heard what sounded like a gunshot. The next thing I knew I heard glass rattling around on my roof. I pulled over and noticed that my sunroof (panoramic roof) had shattered into 1 thousand pieces.”

NHTSA complaint #11367051, filed 2020-10, 35,000 miles

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 new car that does not comply with a portion of fmvss 126, loss of vehicle stability control, increasing the risk of a crash. It is now mid august 2016. I will probably be dead if the brakes go out and I will not be able to report to you where the incident happened. …”

NHTSA complaint #10896708, filed 2016-08, 2,500 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall: I was called by Lexus to say there was a recall 2 months ago. I made an appointment and left my car there. They gave me a loaner. They called and apologized they didn't have the replacement part. They said they would call me when they did and I returned the loaner and took my car back. Then a month later hey called and scheduled an appointment again for the same reason. I asked them to check if they had the part, and they called me back an hour later saying 'oops we still don't have the part'. This is not acceptable. …”

NHTSA complaint #11044398, filed 2017-11

Electrical system: “Driving in a storm all the forward looking sensors failed as the sensor became covered with snow and ice. These are the sensors that control collision alert, lane departure alert, cruse control etc. The safety functions most required in bad weather failed.”

NHTSA complaint #11053832, filed 2017-12

Mileage when problems were reported

83% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 31,000 miles.

42%0–1017%10–2525%25–5017%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 18,000 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.

20165201720182019202020212022
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 2016 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 FWD★★★★★5 / 4544 · 11.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 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 automatic213124$2,800

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 2016 Lexus ES350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 141 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 141 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Lexus ES350 have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2016 Lexus ES350 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Lexus ES350 is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 2016 Lexus ES350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Lexus ES350 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Lexus ES350 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus ES350 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus ES350 (ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Lexus ES350 reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 31,000 miles; 83% 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.