2016 Lexus ES
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes is the largest identified problem area: 10 of 37 complaints (27%) mention it. 16 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed rose from 27 in 2015 to 37 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,550–2,600 | 1,550–2,600 | 1,550–2,600 | 1,550–2,600 | 1,550–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–40 | 24–40 | 24–40 | 24–40 | 24–40 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–40 / 30–39 | 21–40 / 31–39 | 21–40 / 31–39 | 21–40 / 30–39 | 21–40 / 30–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 223–365 | 223–364 | 223–363 | 223–365 | 223–366 | |
| Complaints filed | 42 | 27 | 37 | 25 | 15 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus ES have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus ES get?
EPA rates it 24–40 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Lexus ES?
EPA estimates $1,550–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 40 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | $1,550 (low) | 223 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 363 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · Campaign 16V198000 · Apr 7, 2016
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.