The Lemon Index2009 Lexus ES.
The 2009 Lexus ES is about average by owner complaints: 40 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 99, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 173 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Lexus ES year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 9K to 55K miles on the car (56 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 33K–84K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 5K–42K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 5 recalls
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- speed control 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 153 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in…
- When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedLow-speed surging2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Gas pedal got stuck on a recalled Lexus leading to a crash, after the recall work was done by the dealership.
2009 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10319945
More owner reports
2009 Lexus 350. Consumer states brake failure which causing a multi car accident.
NHTSA complaint 10319782
2009 Lexus es-350 had sudden acceleration which was out of control in may 2009. I had brought this car back to Lexus dealership at southfiled, mi who said it was not an issue.
NHTSA complaint 10301809
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Lexus ES reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 99; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2009 Lexus ES problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (55%), electrical (12%) and brakes (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus ES have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Lexus ES get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Lexus ES problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 9,300 and 55,000 miles. The middle report was at 26,000 miles, from 56 complaints.
Does the 2009 Lexus ES have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Lexus ES have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lexus ES year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works