The best and worst Lexus ES years, by the numbers
Short answer: among Lexus ESs old enough to judge (2005–2021), the 2015, 2017–2018 and 2020 have the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The 2007–2008 and 2010–2011 have the most.
We counted every owner complaint filed with the federal government (NHTSA) for each model year and divided by how many were sold that year, so a year that sold more doesn’t look worse just for being popular. Years newer than 2021 are shown but not ranked — they haven’t been on the road long enough. How this is calculated.
Years with the most complaints
2007 Lexus ES · 66.0 per 10,000 sold (7.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 100,000 miles; then doors, windows, latches, seats and trim.
2008 Lexus ES · 47.9 per 10,000 sold (5.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 62,000 miles; then doors, windows, latches, seats and trim.
2010 Lexus ES · 36.6 per 10,000 sold (4.1× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 70,000 miles; then doors, windows, latches, seats and trim.
2011 Lexus ES · 48.7 per 10,000 sold (5.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 48,500 miles; then doors, windows, latches, seats and trim.
Years with the fewest complaints
2015 Lexus ES · 4.2 per 10,000 sold (0.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Body control and other modules, typically around 37,224 miles.
2017 Lexus ES · 4.9 per 10,000 sold (0.6× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Sunroof and panoramic roof, typically around 20,720 miles.
2018 Lexus ES · 3.1 per 10,000 sold (0.3× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 36,000 miles.
2020 Lexus ES · 5.5 per 10,000 sold (0.6× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints.
Every year: complaints per 10,000 sold
Typical Lexus ES year: 8.9 per 10,000 sold.
Complaints are counted once each, even when an owner lists several parts. Sales are US units sold in the calendar year, a close stand-in for the model year.
Common questions
What is the worst year for the Lexus ES?
Among Lexus ESs old enough to judge (2005–2021), the 2007 has the most owner complaints per 10,000 sold: 66.0, about 7.4× a typical Lexus ES year. The 2008 and 2010–2011 also stand out.
What is the best year for the Lexus ES?
The 2018 has the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold among Lexus ESs from 2005–2021: 3.1, against 8.9 for a typical year. The 2015, 2017 and 2020 are also well below typical.
What goes wrong on the 2007 Lexus ES?
The most-reported problem on the 2007 Lexus ES is airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 100,000 miles.
Why aren't the newest Lexus ES years ranked?
The 2022–2025 haven't been on the road long enough. Newer cars have fewer complaints mainly because they're newer, so ranking them would flatter them.
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Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; US sales from public industry figures. Complaints are self-reported and not independently verified. This is not an inspection and not a recommendation to buy or avoid any vehicle.