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.
The worst 2009 Lexus ES problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags14
- Acceleration3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags14
- Acceleration3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Brakes1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Lexus ES 43
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in...
- POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground...
- Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components
What 2009 Lexus ES owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
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.
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 defect and my dashboard needs to be replaced by Lexus at no cost to me regardless if my vehicle is out of warranty. Also, the expiration date for this Customer Support Program needs to be extended for all owners of Lexus vehicles with this problem, regardless of mileage.
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
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
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.
Broken engine valve spring. Only one so far that cause the problem. Vehicle in motion on city street.
Vehicle seems to accelerate on its own while pressing brake, even moving forward after coming to complete stop
Compare the 2009 Lexus ES
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Questions about the 2009 Lexus ES
Is the 2009 Lexus ES reliable?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2009 Lexus ES, 1.2 times a typical ES model year.
What is the 2009 Lexus ES year score?
The 2009 Lexus ES scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus ES: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Lexus ES?
Airbags, with 14 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles. Next is acceleration (3).
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus ES have?
No recalls on record.
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