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Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Lexus ES350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 16 owner complaints for the 2015 Lexus ES350. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and service brakes (4). The EPA rates it 24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2015
Owner complaints
16
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.

Forward collision avoidanceReported Nov 3, 2015NHTSA 15V728000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2015 – May 2023
  1. Electrical system4
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Forward collision avoidance2
  4. Vehicle speed control2
  5. Tires1
  6. Visibility/wiper1
  7. Seats1
  8. Power train1
  9. Other / unknown7

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 ES350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007664
2008323
2009173
2010178
2011197
2012116
201350
201428
201516
201621
201722
20185
20200
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

4 reports
“GREETINGS, THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SENT ON THE BEHALF OF CHERYL [XXX] & RAYMOND [XXX] [XXX] 2015 LEXUS GS350 [XXX] ISSUE: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT: SEAT HEATER/WARMER IGNITED WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER LEAVING A BLACK BURNT MARK. WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT CAN OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A FIRE. THIS IS LISTED IN VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2020Electrical system, Seats, Unknown or otherODI 11301740

Service brakes

4 reports1 crash
“THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND LOTS OF MINOR ONES. 1. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. HITTING THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. 2. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED TO TURN OFF AND ALL INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. 3. THE CAR SLIPS AND THE SYSTEMS TO COUNTERACT SLIPPING DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION, THE ENFORM SYSTEM AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH LEXUS HAVE MET WITH NO SUCCESS. REGARDS, [XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2016Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 10924670

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE), BUT THE REMEDY TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2016Forward collision avoidanceODI 10903296
All 2015 ES350 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
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 Oct 28, 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 (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213124$2,700364
  • ES 350
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 ES350 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 9114
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

2015 ES350 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Lexus ES350 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Lexus ES350 problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), service brakes (4), forward collision avoidance (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Lexus ES350 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Lexus ES350 at 24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2015 Lexus ES350?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Lexus ES350 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026