Which Lexus ES 350 Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)
Lexus is Toyota’s (Japanese car company) famed luxury brand. It is renowned for its durability and superior performance when compared to the premium architecture it is based on. This particular series started in 1983 and continues to air to this day.
The ES is a great car, however certain years’ quality slipped and problems arose, leaving many dissatisfied with their purchase. Massive Oil Leak, Oil Pressure Loss and lit check engine light are among them.
If you want to make an informed decision regarding your Lexus ES 350 purchase, read the rest of this article.
Lexus ES 350 Years to Avoid (List of Years)
As Lexus is known for its dependability, not all cars are as horrible as you may think; some just don’t live up to the hype. You should avoid these years because of their low performance and other difficulties. Here is the list-
- 2007 Lexus ES 350
- 2008 Lexus ES 350
- 2009 Lexus ES 350
- 2013 Lexus ES 350
While the year 2007 was not good for Lexus, this car had many of the same issues as other 2007 models in terms of quality and reliability.
The 2007 Lexus ES 350 has the most complaints of a melting dashboard.
Compared to other Lexus vehicles of the same era, most of the issues were rectified in 2008 and 2009.
In contrast, the ES 350 had an increase in consumer complaints and component failures that lasted for a few years beginning in 2013.
Worst Years of Lexus ES 350:
Leaving aside the reliability and dependability debates, there is a certain year that is regarded as the worst is 2008 Lexus ES.
This year has been quite eventful in terms of difficulties. In spite of the fact that there are more complaints about the 2007 Lexus ES 350, carcomplaints made the 2008 model worse due to other possible variables such as higher maintenance costs or more problems at lower mileages.
What Makes These Lexus ES 350 Years Worth Avoiding?
2007 Lexus ES 350 Problems:
There have been 47 complaints filed so far this year, covering a wide range of issues. Among the most prevalent are faults with the interior accessories, the engine, and the windows and windshield.
Some other problems include a blown engine, oil seeping from the timing chain cover, GPS failure, ticking noises, stuck accelerator etc.
One of the most serious issues with the 2007 Lexus ES 350, and one of the primary reasons 2007 is one of the Lexus ES 2007 model years to avoid, is that the dashboard can actively melt when exposed to heat.
These concerns demonstrate Lexus’s inability to adapt to shifting market needs. A lack of reliability and a sluggish customer care system swayed drivers away from the model in a hurry.
2008 Lexus ES 350 Problems:
As said before this is the worst year. And obviopusly for a reason. Interiore accessories is also prominent on this year.
Oil leaks remained a frequent source of driver complaint, resulting in poor fuel efficiency and excessive oil usage.
Additionally, there was an issue with infotainment blackout, which meant that the multimedia system may abruptly cease operating, causing them from utilizing the Bluetooth, GPS, and radio in their vehicle.
Others have expressed frustration with being unable to utilize the heating control on their ES 350 owing to outdated software. Also,engine sounds, and a NHTSA report for speed control is recorded.
2009 Lexus ES 350 Problems:
The Lexus Es 350 years has problems with the interior accessories. There is no exception this year. Again, a dashboard that has melted has been documented Customer complaints said that the dashboard would chip or get sticky and emit an odour of chemicals. Due to this problem, Toyota and Lexus were sued as a group in 2017.
2009 Lexus ES 350 exhaust system difficulties and transmission problems might result in formation of shifting delays, grinding or leaping during acceleration, a shaky sensation, whistling noises or a burning smell emanating from beneath the hood.
If you disregard Lexus ES350 gearbox problems, you risk losing fuel economy or discovering that your ES350 is no longer driveable.
2013 Lexus ES 350 Problems:
Electrical issues are prevalent this time of year; a door lock that does not work, a battery that dies overnight, and a computer that stops working are just a few examples.
Minor accidents were caused by unintentional acceleration, which is one of the most serious problems.
Other problems, such as peeling paint and water seeping inside the cabin, have been documented as well.
There is one recall on Unexpected Braking as aresult of The Pre-Collision System.
Other years, such as 2014 and 2015, had their own setbacks. I left these two vehicles off the list since they are not actually awful alternatives but do have a few issues.
The first is the well-known oil leak issue, which is particularly prevalent in 2014 model of the car. As evidenced by reports, some drivers were irritated in 2014 by a lack of oil pressure.
Second, Lexus has always struggled to adapt to new technology advancements. For example, the navigation tool’s guidance is highly complex and might be a source of frustration for drivers.
2015 models suffer brake failure and unexpected acceleration, which means the car may jolt forward or backward despite brake engagement.
Which Lexus ES 350 Years are Safe to Buy?
Safest years for Lexus ES350 Series are:
- 2012 Lexus ES 350
- 2017 Lexus ES 350
- 2018 Lexus ES 350
- 2019 Lexus ES 350
While the list may seem short, this Lexus ES, as described by Earliar, is a very desirable and luxurious car with a very low amount of faults.
The cars on the avoided year list are also good, but I’ve included them because they have difficulties that should be considered when purchasing them.
A 4.0 out of 5.0 dependability rating from RepairPal places the Lexus ES 350 in fourth place among 31 premium midsize automobiles.
Comfort, dependability, and performance are all hallmarks of the 2012 Lexus ES 350. With passenger comfort as a top priority, this vehicle will be soft and smooth on all roads. The suspensions are also engineered to optimize passenger comfort.
A top-rated premium midsize sedan, the 2017 Lexus ES features a smooth ride and a quiet cabin with lots of space and nice seats. It also obtains a flawless anticipated dependability rating.
The 2018 Lexus ES 350 boasts a beautiful interior, enhanced multimedia system, and a revamped front for a more premium feel.
The seventh generation of Lexus vehicles, the 2019 ES 350, represents a major improvement over the previous model year’s model.
In addition to the grille, the model’s style and cosmetics are nothing short of breathtaking. It fully matches the appearance of a premium sports sedan.
Conclusion
The Lexus ES 350 is an excellent, well-built, and dependable midsize luxury vehicle. If you’re looking for a car that can deliver on both performance and comfort, go no further than this model.
Oil leaks, irrationalities, and problems with the interior accessories are a few of the vehicle’s minor flaws, but they pale in contrast to the numerous positive aspects it offers.
With this list of the top and worst years for the Lexus ES 350, I hope you were able to narrow your search.
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