No Lexus ES model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2005–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.
| Year | Verdict | Score | Top owner-reported problems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Recommended | 8 | 2019-2020 cars are covered by a Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall that can cause engine stalling; verify the pump was replaced.; A few 2019 owners reported low-speed hesitation from the 8-speed automatic when new; later model years settled down. | Full report ↗ |
| 2023 | Recommended | 8 | 2019-2020 cars are covered by a Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall that can cause engine stalling; verify the pump was replaced.; A few 2019 owners reported low-speed hesitation from the 8-speed automatic when new; later model years settled down. | Full report ↗ |
| 2022 | Recommended | 8 | 2019-2020 cars are covered by a Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall that can cause engine stalling; verify the pump was replaced.; A few 2019 owners reported low-speed hesitation from the 8-speed automatic when new; later model years settled down. | Full report ↗ |
| 2021 | Recommended | 8 | 2019-2020 cars are covered by a Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall that can cause engine stalling; verify the pump was replaced.; A few 2019 owners reported low-speed hesitation from the 8-speed automatic when new; later model years settled down. | Full report ↗ |
| 2020 | Recommended | 8 | 2019-2020 cars are covered by a Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall that can cause engine stalling; verify the pump was replaced.; A few 2019 owners reported low-speed hesitation from the 8-speed automatic when new; later model years settled down. | Full report ↗ |
| 2018 | Recommended | 8 | Earlier cars are covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; confirm the inflator was replaced on 2013-2017 models.; First-year (2013) cars drew minor electrical and brake-feel complaints; later years of this generation are notably cleaner. | Full report ↗ |
| 2017 | Recommended | 8 | Earlier cars are covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; confirm the inflator was replaced on 2013-2017 models.; First-year (2013) cars drew minor electrical and brake-feel complaints; later years of this generation are notably cleaner. | Full report ↗ |
| 2016 | Recommended | 8 | Earlier cars are covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; confirm the inflator was replaced on 2013-2017 models.; First-year (2013) cars drew minor electrical and brake-feel complaints; later years of this generation are notably cleaner. | Full report ↗ |
| 2015 | Recommended | 8 | Earlier cars are covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; confirm the inflator was replaced on 2013-2017 models.; First-year (2013) cars drew minor electrical and brake-feel complaints; later years of this generation are notably cleaner. | Full report ↗ |
| 2019 | Recommended | 7 | 2019-2020 cars are covered by a Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall that can cause engine stalling; verify the pump was replaced.; A few 2019 owners reported low-speed hesitation from the 8-speed automatic when new; later model years settled down. | Full report ↗ |
| 2014 | Recommended | 7 | Earlier cars are covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; confirm the inflator was replaced on 2013-2017 models.; First-year (2013) cars drew minor electrical and brake-feel complaints; later years of this generation are notably cleaner. | Full report ↗ |
| 2013 | Recommended | 7 | Earlier cars are covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; confirm the inflator was replaced on 2013-2017 models.; First-year (2013) cars drew minor electrical and brake-feel complaints; later years of this generation are notably cleaner. | Full report ↗ |
| 2012 | Recommended | 7 | Covered by the large Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Unintended-acceleration reports linked to the 2007-2010 floor-mat and pedal-entrapment recalls; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Signature defect: the dashboard surface melts and turns sticky/shiny in heat, causing windshield glare. Toyota extended the warranty for this; most common in hot climates. | Full report ↗ |
| 2011 | Recommended | 7 | Covered by the large Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Unintended-acceleration reports linked to the 2007-2010 floor-mat and pedal-entrapment recalls; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Signature defect: the dashboard surface melts and turns sticky/shiny in heat, causing windshield glare. Toyota extended the warranty for this; most common in hot climates. | Full report ↗ |
| 2010 | Recommended | 7 | Covered by the large Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Unintended-acceleration reports linked to the 2007-2010 floor-mat and pedal-entrapment recalls; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Signature defect: the dashboard surface melts and turns sticky/shiny in heat, causing windshield glare. Toyota extended the warranty for this; most common in hot climates. | Full report ↗ |
| 2009 | Recommended | 7 | Covered by the large Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Unintended-acceleration reports linked to the 2007-2010 floor-mat and pedal-entrapment recalls; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Signature defect: the dashboard surface melts and turns sticky/shiny in heat, causing windshield glare. Toyota extended the warranty for this; most common in hot climates. | Full report ↗ |
| 2006 | Recommended | 7 | Unintended-acceleration reports tied to the floor-mat/pedal recalls of this era; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Some owners report transmission hesitation or harsh shifting from the 5-speed automatic, most often on 2005 cars. | Full report ↗ |
| 2008 | Caution | 6 | Covered by the large Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Unintended-acceleration reports linked to the 2007-2010 floor-mat and pedal-entrapment recalls; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Signature defect: the dashboard surface melts and turns sticky/shiny in heat, causing windshield glare. Toyota extended the warranty for this; most common in hot climates. | Full report ↗ |
| 2007 | Caution | 6 | Covered by the large Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Unintended-acceleration reports linked to the 2007-2010 floor-mat and pedal-entrapment recalls; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Signature defect: the dashboard surface melts and turns sticky/shiny in heat, causing windshield glare. Toyota extended the warranty for this; most common in hot climates. | Full report ↗ |
| 2005 | Caution | 6 | Unintended-acceleration reports tied to the floor-mat/pedal recalls of this era; confirm the recall remedy was performed.; Covered by the Takata airbag inflator recall; verify the inflator was replaced before purchase.; Some owners report transmission hesitation or harsh shifting from the 5-speed automatic, most often on 2005 cars. | Full report ↗ |
A 2024 ES is a low-risk, very reliable luxury sedan with cheap upkeep, strong resale and modern touchscreen tech; comfort over sport.
The 2023 ES pairs excellent reliability and low running costs with an updated touchscreen infotainment; a safe used-luxury pick.
The 2022 ES adds a proper touchscreen and keeps the line's strong reliability, comfort and resale; very few complaints.
A 2021 ES is a quiet, reliable, low-cost-to-own luxury sedan; only the pre-2022 touchpad infotainment dates it.
The 2020 ES is a clean, dependable choice with very low complaint volume and strong resale; comfort-first dynamics.
A solid first-year-of-generation ES; verify the Denso fuel-pump recall and early 8-speed hesitation were addressed.
A 2018 ES is highly reliable and cheap to run; the main gripe is the fussy touchpad infotainment.
The 2017 ES is a quiet, dependable luxury sedan with low repair costs and strong resale; insurance runs a bit high.
A 2016 ES offers excellent reliability, comfort and an available efficient hybrid; clean complaint record.
The 2015 ES is a comfortable, reliable used-luxury value; soft handling and a fiddly infotainment controller are the trade-offs.
A 2014 ES is dependable and comfortable; confirm the Takata airbag recall remedy was performed.
First year of this generation; reliable and roomy, with a few launch-year electrical/brake gripes and the Takata recall to verify.
A 2012 ES 350 is reliable and refined; check the dashboard for melting and confirm the Takata airbag recall was done.
The 2011 ES 350 is a comfortable, dependable luxury sedan; watch for the sticky-dashboard issue and verify recalls.
A 2010 ES 350 is reliable and plush; confirm the floor-mat/airbag recalls and inspect the dashboard for melting.
The 2009 ES 350 is a strong used-luxury value; verify the unintended-acceleration and Takata airbag recalls.
A reliable 2008 ES 350, but high complaint volume for the dashboard, Takata airbags and floor-mat recall, verify all remedies.
First year of this generation: mechanically sound but the most-complained-about year for melting dashboards and recalls, inspect carefully.
A 2006 ES 330 is a durable, comfortable luxury sedan with a clean record; dated tech and soft handling are the trade-offs.
The 2005 ES 330 is reliable but drew more transmission-hesitation and unintended-acceleration reports; verify recalls.
Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Lexus models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.