2009 Lexus ES problems
The 2009 Lexus ES has 29 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (48%) concerns air bags. Next are cruise control (10%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 29 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 48% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 88,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 15 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 88,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Lexus ES with enough data (4 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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).'
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 lexus es350. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated from 65 MPH to 80 MPH without warning. The contact had to pump the accelerator pedal several times before it would release. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that there were no problems found within the vehicle.
Takata recall the manufacturer/dealer has yet to repair/replace the faulty airbags. I have been in a 'loaner' vehicle for 10 months.