Research · Midsize Cars

2021 Lexus ES 350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES 350. Most complaints involve wheels (2) and forward collision avoidance (1). The EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
5
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2021 Lexus ES 350 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Dec 2022
  1. Wheels2
  2. Forward collision avoidance1
  3. Tires1
  4. Exterior lighting1
  5. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ES 350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201933
20205
20215
202213
202311
20249
20255
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Wheels

2 reports1 crash
“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 incident I once again drove over obstruction more than 4 inches and had both the drivers side tire and the drivers side rear tire side walls punctured with the additional damage of the drivers side front rim so badly damaged it had to be replaced. My specific safety issue is these low profile tires are less than 4 inches from the rim AND CAN NOT ACCEPT THE STRESS OF A "NOMINAL POT HOLE TO PREVENT PUNCTURING OF THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE AND ARE UNSAFE UNDER "NORMAL ROAD HAZARDS THAT OTHER TIRES DO NOT EXPERIENCE THAT ARE NOT LOW PROFILE TIRES. Tire is Bridgestone Turanza EL440. Called Lexus. They disallow any other tire or rim except the low profile to result in voiding of warranty. What can I do to remedy this safety issue at my own expense ?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2022WheelsCrash reportedODI 11497278

Forward collision avoidance

1 report
“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop, the brakes inadvertently was activated. The automatic braking system engaged and the vehicle had to be shifted to park, turned off, and restarted to operate correctly. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact stated that several months later the failure recurred. The contact stated that while turning out of a parking lot the automatic braking system engaged and the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted to operate correctly. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that if the failure did not occur on the way to the dealer there was nothing that they could do. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the 5th failure and the dealer was unable to determine a cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field technician to the dealer who was also unable to determine the cause of the failure. A case was opened with the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. Consumer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2022Forward collision avoidanceODI 11466993

Tires

1 report
“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 that sometime this will cause a severe accident. I felt so strongly I sold the car back to Lexus. We were surprised at the total lack of concern shown to us. We had 2 episodes in MI and 1 in FL. I was told that an office manger had 3 blow outs this year. Also another customer that had just had her car a week had a blow out. I will never purchase a car with Low profile tires of this kind. If your tires won't hold up you cannot feel safe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2022Wheels, TiresODI 11461331
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 350
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400346
ES 350 F Sport
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500352
  • ES 350
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • ES 350 F Sport
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lexus ES 350 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 15801
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 ES 350 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus ES 350 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.

What are the most common 2021 Lexus ES 350 problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (2), forward collision avoidance (1), tires (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Lexus ES 350 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Lexus ES 350 at 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Lexus ES 350?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Lexus ES 350 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026