Check a VIN

2009 Lexus ES problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Lexus ES is airbags, typically around 99,000 miles. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical ES model year.

Typical year1.2x the typical complaints
Year score
68/100
Owner complaints
28
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
43
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2009 Lexus ES problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    14
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    14
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

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.

See all 43 bulletins for the 2009 Lexus ES

What 2009 Lexus ES owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Electrical · CA · crash

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Electrical · CA · crash

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.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Acceleration · 25,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 18, 2024 · Body · 95,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jun 29, 2023 · CA

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2023 · LA

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

Filed Mar 31, 2023 · Steering · IN

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

Filed May 30, 2021 · Body · FL

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.

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · Engine · 105,000 miles · GA

Broken engine valve spring. Only one so far that cause the problem. Vehicle in motion on city street.

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 124,300 miles · OH

Vehicle seems to accelerate on its own while pressing brake, even moving forward after coming to complete stop

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2009 Lexus ES before you buy

Compare the 2009 Lexus ES

Other model years

199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

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.

Share your experience with the 2009 Lexus ES

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2009 Lexus ES?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN