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2007 Lexus ES: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2007 Lexus ES has 664 complaints on file with NHTSA, the highest count of any ES model year[1][2]. Passenger air bag and sudden acceleration reports lead the list, and four recalls are on file[3][4][5][6].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 664 owner complaints for the 2007 ES[1]. Of those, 69 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 57 an injury, and 4 report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Here are the largest complaint groups:
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags[8] | 287 | 11 | 10 |
| Speed control[9] | 130 | 46 | 35 |
| Structure[10] | 77 | 2 | 6 |
| Unknown or other[11] | 55 | 2 | 5 |
| Power train[12] | 37 | 1 | 8 |
| Engine[13] | 31 | 6 | 3 |
Air bags. This is the biggest group at 287 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 69,951[8]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read[8], 10 describe the passenger air bag status light showing "off" or flickering when someone sits in the seat, and several of those owners say the dealer could not find a fix[8].
Speed control. This group has 130 complaints[9]. It also has the most crashes and injuries of any group, and all 4 deaths reported for this model year[9]. The median mileage at failure is 17,000[9]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 11 describe the car speeding up without the driver asking for it, some with cruise control on and some saying the brakes did not slow the car as expected[9]. See the recall section below for the accelerator pedal recall.
Structure. There are 77 complaints in this group[10]. In a sample of 12 we read, 7 describe the dashboard surface melting, turning sticky or causing glare on the windshield, and 2 describe window glass or window regulator failures[10].
Power train. There are 37 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 21,500[12]. In a sample of 12 we read, 11 involve the transmission or shifting[12]. Some owners describe revs rising or the car slipping during shifts, and 3 say the dealer replaced the transmission or transaxle[12].
The engine group has 31 complaints, visibility/wiper 24 and exterior lighting 23[13][14][15]. Those groups are small next to the air bag group.
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2007 ES, newest first.
- Passenger air bag inflator, repeat repair (19V741). Announced 2019-10-17[3]. It covers cars whose inflators were already replaced under an earlier recall with the same design. The inflators may explode as the propellant breaks down after long exposure to humidity and heat, and metal fragments could injure the driver or passengers. Dealers will replace the front driver inflator, the front passenger inflator or the air bag assembly, depending on the model. The recall began November 20, 2019[3].
- Passenger air bag inflator (17V006). Announced 2017-01-09[4]. Certain 2007 and 2008 ES 350 cars originally sold or registered in a list of states in the recall, including Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, New York and Wyoming, are covered[4]. The inflator may rupture in a crash and throw metal fragments at the occupants. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2017[4].
- Passenger air bag inflator (16V340). Announced 2016-05-23[5]. The same inflator problem and the same free fix. This recall covers 2007 to 2011 ES 350 cars in "Zone A" states such as California, Florida and Texas, and 2007 and 2008 ES 350 cars in "Zone B" states such as Ohio and Virginia[5]. The recall began December 6, 2016[5].
- Accelerator pedal and floor mat (09V388). Announced 2009-10-05[6]. The accelerator pedal can get trapped by an unsecured or wrong floor mat and stay wide open. That could cause very high speeds and make the car hard to stop. The fix modifies the pedal, and on certain vehicles changes the shape of the floor surface under it. Dealers also replace genuine all-weather floor mats with redesigned ones. On the ES 350, the fix includes software so the brake overrides the accelerator if both pedals are pressed[6]. Owner letters were set to go out starting December 31, 2009[6].
Whether the 17V006 and 16V340 recalls apply to a car depends on where it was first sold or registered[4][5]. Owners can ask Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987[3].
Fuel economy
EPA rates the ES 350 (3.5L 6-cylinder, Automatic (S6), front-wheel drive, premium fuel) at 19 MPG city, 27 highway and 22 combined[7]. EPA estimates the annual fuel cost at $3,750[7]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door front-wheel-drive version as not rated[16]. That means there is no star rating to compare. It does not say the car is safe or unsafe.
Engine and size
These sizes come from Transport Canada specifications, so they are Canadian-market numbers and can differ slightly from US models[17].
How 2007 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
The 2007 ES has more complaints than any other ES model year on file. It has 664, and the next highest is 2008 with 323[2]. Its four recalls are fewer than 2009 and 2010, which have five each, and equal to 2008 and 2019[2]. Recall and complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, Recall and complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them with that in mind.. Still, the gap between 2007 and every other year is large.
Should you buy a used 2007 Lexus ES?
Merge the last two sentences, for example: "If you are looking at one, ask the seller whether the air bag and accelerator pedal recall work was done and check the car's recall status with Lexus, and because our data does not cover repair costs or reliability scores, a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step."
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lexus ES?
- Air bags are the largest group on file with 287 of 664 complaints[8][1]. Speed control follows with 130 and has the highest crash count[9].
- Does the 2007 Lexus ES have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists four: 19V741, 17V006, 16V340 and 09V388[3][4][5][6]. Three are air bag inflator recalls and one is for the accelerator pedal and floor mat.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2007 Lexus ES 350?
- EPA rates it at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined MPG[7].
- Is the 2007 Lexus ES a bad year?
- It has the highest complaint count of any ES year, with 664 compared with 323 for 2008[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a warning to check the car, not a verdict.
- How big is the 2007 Lexus ES?
- Optionally drop the repeat, or keep it as a short FAQ answer., 72 in wide and 57 in tall, weighing 3,580 lb[17].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 664 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Lexus ES (69 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 57 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 287 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,951). NHTSA vehicle records
- 130 complaints name the speed control component group (46 crashes, 3 fires, 35 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 77 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 55 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the engine component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov