LEXUS ES · model year

2009 LEXUS ES

29 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009LEXUSES carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 ES is air bags with 14 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (2) and unknown or other (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2009 ES. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

29
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

29 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
SUSPENSION1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
SERVICE BRAKES1
ENGINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
STEERING1
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD1

Recent Complaints

20251029CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Experienced unintended acceleration when pulling into a parking space. My vehicle went over the curb and into a ditch. The bushes and embankment of the ditch stopped the vehicle. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of a problem.

20251027CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 at approximately 11:50 am, my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. I was pulling into a parking spot and suddenly accelerated and jump the barrier into a ditch. Luckly there were bushes to stop me. I was standing on the brake. There were no prior indications there was an issue.

20250102VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2009 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently accelerated upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that recently upon entering the garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated after releasing the brake pedal, almost causing the vehicle to crash into the residence. The struck other materials inside the garage, causing front-end damages to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had already been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

20240618STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2009 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard had become sticky and had started to melt. Over time, the contact stated that glare had started to reflect from the windshield onto the dashboard, obstructing visibility while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was acknowledged that the defect was a known failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that the Extended Warranty coverage had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

20230629UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dashboard is sticky, shiny, and melting from the heat. All lint, dust and cloth sticks to the sticky dashboard. Shiny dashboards can pose safety hazards that affect visibility with a glare bouncing off the windshield, and overall health issues since melted dashboards can emit harmful odors. Lexus is saying their Customer Support Program ZLZ expired in 2021. I never received any mail from them about this program even though they claim they mailed it to me in 2018. I have been having my vehicle serviced at Longo Lexus since 2009, with the last maintenance service done on 6/21/23, and the dealership just noted this problem sticky dashboard issue to me, after the Lexus customer support program expired. The server advisor at Longo told me they could replace my dashboard for $2,572, but don't understand why they didn't offer to replace it for free in 2018-2021, like they did my floor mats, which was also a safety hazard. This sticky and melting dashboard problem is a manufacturer defe

20230616UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dashboard is melting from heat and needs to be replaced. Company refuses to replace saying recalls expired 2021. Never received any mail from them even though they said they mailed it to me. Be going to Price LeBlanc for service since 2013 never mentioned anything about it. Thanks

20230331STEERING

I was driving home from work & just before 5pm I hit a section of the side of the road that has deteriorated on SR 68 between Tecumseh high school & Lynnville, IN. It blew out the inner wall of my tire & I had to get it replaced. I have seen this happen to other drivers on this road as well. The road needs to be repaired before someone gets seriously injured. This incident caused me to replace all 4 of my tires prematurely. Please repair the road - there are at least 2 areas that need to be repaired

20210530STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD ON 2009 LEXUS ES 350 HAS BEGUN TO MELT AND ON SUNNY DAYS THE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND REDUCES VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION THE MELTING PLASTIC IS VERY STICKY AND COULD BE HAZARDOUS FOR DRIVER NOT TO MENTION THE POISON EXPOSURE TO ITS VAPORS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. THE 2009 IS IDENTICAL IN DESIGN AND LEXUS SHOULD FIX THIS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY A SMALL PORTION OF THE $1700 REPAIR COSTS.

20200930ENGINE

BROKEN ENGINE VALVE SPRING. ONLY ONE SO FAR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET.

Mileage: 105,000

20191211SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE PRESSING BRAKE, EVEN MOVING FORWARD AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP

Mileage: 124,300

20191211VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE PRESSING BRAKE, EVEN MOVING FORWARD AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP

Mileage: 124,300

20190628CrashAIR BAGS

HAD CAR ACCIDENT JUNE 14,2019. HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE

Mileage: 134,000

20190628CrashAIR BAGS

TAKAT RECALL: HAD CAR ACCIDENT . HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE TURNING; RAN OVER STREET SIGN AND HIT IRON FENCE INFRONT OF APARTMENT BUILDING. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Mileage: 134,000

20180314AIR BAGS

I CALLED LEXUS OF ROCKVILLE CENTER LI NY TODAY REGARDING "URGENT SAFETY RECALL" NOTICE I RECEIVED. SADLY LEXUS DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER UNTIL END OF MARCH... CAN'T EVEN MAKE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE LEXUS FIX THE PROBLEM "TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS" FOR AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL - I HAVE HAD NO VEHICLE PROBLEMS YET...

20171220AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER HAS YET TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. I HAVE BEEN IN A 'LOANER' VEHICLE FOR 10 MONTHS.

Mileage: 99,000

20171021AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170516AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS DEALER AT 700 SERRAMONTE BLVD, COLMA CA 94014 SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING PASSENGER AIR BAG OF MY CAR BUT I AM BEING IGNORED AND ADVISED TO KEEP DRIVING AS IT IS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY BECAUSE IT IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND THEY TRAVEL WITH ME ALL THE TIMES.

20170428AIR BAGS

[XXX] LEXUS FAILED TO ACCOMMODATE WITH A LOANER VEHICLE AND JUST KEEPS TELLING ME "JUST BE PATIENT" EVERY TIME I CALL THEM TO DISCUSS MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE "NOT DRIVEN ALL THAT TIME" FOR OVER FOUR YEARS SINCE ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE FEARFUL FOR SAFETY OF OUR LIVES. THE DEALER HAS NOT ACCOMMODATED WITH ANY RECOURSE AND JUST SENDS LETTERS WITH BOLD RED PRINT THAT I AM CONSIDERED "ZONE B" AND WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN IT SAYS "REMEDY SUSPENDED". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20170114AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170111AIR BAGS

LEXUS SENT A RECALL NOTICE ON MAY 23, 2016, ADVISING US NOT TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT DUE TO THE POTENTIAL DANGER FROM EXPLODING SHRAPNEL FROM THE TAKATA AIRBAG. IT IS NOW JANUARY 17, 2017, A FULL 8 MONTHS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION PROVIDED, NO REPAIRS AND NO TARGET DATE FOR A FIX, WE ARE EFFECTIVELY UNABLE TO USE OF THE VEHICLE. REQUESTS FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AT SEVERAL DEALERS HAS BEEN DENIED, WITH ADVICE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, WHO THEN ADVISED US TO CALL DEALERS. THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE BEHAVIOR AND IS POTENTIALLY WORSE THAN THE VOLKSWAGON DEBACLE. THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE HAS ESSENTIALLY DISAPPEARED AND IT CANNOT BE USED FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL FAMILY USE. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD LIABLE AND EITHER COMPENSATE OWNERS, PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE DURATION OR PAY FOR RENTAL VEHICLES, PLUS A SUBSTANTIAL FINE FOR THE EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE DELAY.

Mileage: 20,000

Compare 2009LEXUSES to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 LEXUS ES have?
The 2009 LEXUS ES has 29 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 LEXUS ES?
The most-complained component for the 2009 LEXUS ES is AIR BAGS with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2009 LEXUS ES safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.