NHTSA has 173 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Lexus ES[1]. 115 of them name the air bags group[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners raise most, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 115 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe crashes where the air bags did not open. Some also describe a passenger seat sensor that did not seem to notice the person sitting there, even after the dealer worked on it.
- Speed Control. 27 complaints[5]. Owners describe the car speeding up on its own, sometimes at a stop sign or while pulling into a parking spot. Some say the brakes did not slow the car as expected, and some say the dealer found no issue.
- Electrical System. 7 complaints[6]. Owners describe windows and the sunroof opening by themselves and an alarm going off at odd hours. Others worry about the push button start, which they feel makes it hard to shut the engine off in an emergency.
- Structure. 7 complaints[7]. Besides crash damage stories, owners describe a dashboard that softens in the sun, turns sticky and throws glare onto the windshield.
- Brakes. 5 complaints[8]. This is a small group, so we say little about it here.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 ES is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.[9]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V024), January 2018. About 628,018 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.[10]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V006), January 2017. About 577,875 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[11]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V340), May 2016. About 1,754,517 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (09V388), October 2009. About 4,445,056 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,750 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[14].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD[15] | 191 in | 72 in | 57 in | 109 in | 3,580 lb |
How 2009 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 |
NHTSA's counts for the ES show 173 complaints and 5 recalls for 2009[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 24 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 7 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2009 ES?
The record for this car is dominated by air bag reports[2]. Speed control complaints are fewer, but they carry a heavy share of the crashes and injuries in the file[5]. In total, 18 complaints mention a crash and 5 report deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. If you are shopping for one, check the recall section above and ask a dealer to confirm every recall was done.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lexus ES?
- Air bag complaints lead the list with 115 reports[2]. Speed control comes next with 27[5].
- Has the 2009 Lexus ES been recalled?
- Yes. The by-year data shows 5 recalls for this model year[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- Is the 2009 Lexus ES reliable?
- Owners filed 173 complaints with NHTSA[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to check rather than a score.
- How many 2009 Lexus ES complaints mention a crash?
- 18 complaints mention a crash and 2 mention a fire[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Lexus ES?
- See the fuel section of this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lexus ES
Compare all model years of the Lexus ES
Similar cars from 2009: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 173 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Lexus ES (18 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 15 injuries, 5 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 115 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). 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
- 27 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V024, filed January 9, 2018: 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
- 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