How many miles can a Lexus ES 350 last? When you’re in the market for a new or second-hand ES 350, that’s, of course, a very reasonable question to ask. After all, you’re probably looking to get the most bang for your buck. In this blog, we’ll look at this question in great detail but first, let’s start with a quick answer:
On average, a Lexus ES 350 lasts between 220.000 – 250.000 miles. An ES 350 needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.61 times per year, with a 6% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, ES 350 owners spend an average of $468 per year on repair costs.
Having said that, we’re certainly not done. Below we’ll first explain in more detail how many miles an ES 350 can last. After that, we’ll also show you how much an ES 350 costs per year and which production years are the most and least expensive. Furthermore, we also discuss the common problems that the car can have. Read on!
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Also read: Types Of Gas A Lexus ES 250/300h/350 Takes (Explained)
How Many Miles Can A Lexus ES 350 Last?
First, we need to have a look at the Lexus ES 350 as a group. In order to do this, we went to autotrader.com and gathered the data of the 5.133 ES 350s that are currently for sale. From there on, we divided the sample group into groups based on the number of miles they had driven.
The results are displayed in the table below. What we can see from this is the fact that 3.16% of 350s that are for sale in the US market have a mileage of 150.000 or higher. By itself, this number doesn´t say a lot. However, we´ve written 100+ articles similar articles for different vehicles. From this, we know that a number between 3-5% is typically considered to be good. The ES 350 does score at the lower end of that range, but it´s still a good number nonetheless.
| Amount Of Miles | Percentage Of Cars |
| Cars With 150.000+ | 3.16% |
| Cars With 100.000 – 149.000 | 8.84% |
| Cars With 45.000 – 99.999 | 27.01% |
| Cars With 0 – 44.999 | 60.99% |
However, there´s more to it than that. For example, we also see that a large percentage of ES 350s haven´t even crossed the 45.000 miles mark yet. This means Lexus has been selling a lot of new ES 350s in the past years which drags down the percentage of vehicles that did cross the 150.000 miles mark. Therefore, we have to do more research to come to a proper conclusion.
How Reliable Is A Lexus ES 350 Compared To Its Competitors?
One of the most important things that can tell us whether or not the ES 350 actually reliable is to look at competitors. The data from the competitors will give us a better understanding of the playing field, and we will be able to set benchmarks for the ES 350.
In the table below we´ve gathered data for competitors of the ES 350. Please keep in mind that we´ve written separate articles for every single vehicle in the table. Therefore, we´re confident in the results that we display below.
| Model | Sample Size | Expected Mileage | Highest Mileage |
| Lexus ES 350 | 5.133 | 235.000 | 290.000 |
| Lincoln MKZ | 2.865 | 190.000 | 210.000 |
| Acura TLX | 3.776 | 200.000 | 190.000 |
| Cadillac ATS | 1.808 | 165.000 | 180.000 |
| Toyota Avalon | 2.763 | 255.000 | 360.000 |
In the table above we can see that the results are quite a mixed bag. For example, the ES 350 seems to do well and does end up as second best. On the other hand, the MKZ, TLX, and ATS all end up around or below the 200.000 miles mark. For the TLX this is logical given the car has only been on the market for less than 10 years. However, the performance of the MKZ and the ATS are disappointing at best.
On the other hand, the Avalon beats all other vehicles. The main reason for this is the fact that Toyota has always build cars that rack up an incredible number of miles. The second reason for this is that the Avalon is not a premium vehicle whereas the other ones are. Premium vehicles are much more susceptible to problems because of the luxury and performance features they provide.
Overall, we would say the ES 350 is the best premium vehicle in this table. That´s a good start for Lexus.
How Reliable Is A Lexus ES 350 Compared To Other Lexus?
Furthermore, we also feel it´s important to compare the ES 350 to other Lexus vehicles. The reason for this is the fact that this will give us an understanding of how reliable the brand is as a whole and if there´re alternatives within the lineup of Lexus.
What becomes clear from the data below is that Lexus does seem to put up quite a strong performance as a brand. The ES 350 is definitely one of the best-performing vehicles in terms of lifespan. However, the RX 350, IS 350 and the LS and GS series all put up respectable numbers as well.
| Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
| Lexus ES 350 | 5.133 | 162 | 3.16% | 290.000 |
| Lexus RX 350 | 7.292 | 281 | 3.85% | 250.000 |
| Lexus IS 350 | 600 | 20 | 3.33% | 230.000 |
| Lexus LS | 1.452 | 200 | 13.77% | 350.000 |
| Lexus NX (2015 onwards) | 3.624 | 15 | 0.41% | 200.000 |
| Lexus GS | 1.544 | 121 | 7.84% | 270.000 |
What´s interesting about this is that these strong numbers are coming from a brand that makes vehicles in the upper segments of the market. Typically these brands are known for delivering luxury vehicles that don´t last that long. However, the numbers in the table above suggest that Lexus is capable of putting up a strong reliability benchmark as well.
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Year?
Another important aspect to discuss when talking about the reliability of a vehicle is how much you can expect to pay in annual maintenance costs. To gather this data we went to Repairpal.com and Caredge.com.
What we found is that you can expect to pay an average of $468 per year for maintaining an ES 350. This is a surprisingly good number. For reference, typically you would have to spend $739 annually to keep a midsized luxury vehicle on the road. Therefore, the ES 350 does really well.
Furthermore, we also see in the table below that the ES 350 doesn´t have many model years that stand out in a negative way. Only the 2016 model year seems to have above-average maintenance costs. All other model years are within the $400 – $600 range.
| Model Year | Annual Maintenance Cost |
| 2010 | $410 |
| 2011 | $399 |
| 2012 | $415 |
| 2013 | $492 |
| 2014 | $552 |
| 2015 | $534 |
| 2016 | $670 |
| 2017 | $570 |
| 2018 | $431 |
| 2019 | $368 |
| 2020 | $293 |
| 2021 | $247 |
| 2022 | $217 |
Owners’ Reviews Of The ES 350s Reliability
Besides knowing all the data, it’s, of course, also essential to see how owners experience the ES 350. For this, we went to Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Cars.com. All three platforms have gathered hundreds of reviews from actual car owners. We summarized our findings in the image below.
Overall, the sentiment about the ES 350 is definitely positive. On Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds the car score just over a 4-star rating. This is mainly because of the 2019 model year which had some fuel pump problems (more on that in a moment). However, most other model years get a score of around 4.3 out of 5 which is very respectable overall. This quote sums up the owner’s sentiment quite well:
Upgraded from a 2016 ES 350 to the 2020 ES350…what joy, can’t say enough about the quality inside and out…looked at Cadillac CT-5 (no thanks) and an Audi A5 before coming back to Lexus…there is simply no better car in this price range…
Source, 2020 ES 350 owner
Lexus ES 350 Common Problems
Furthermore, you should definitely be aware of the common problems of a Lexus ES 350. Below, we summarized important findings, but the complete list can be found here.
NOTE: Before buying a used car, I always like to make sure the vehicle isn´t having any problems that you should be aware of. The easiest way to do this is by buying an OBD2 scanner. These scanners can easily be plugged into any car you’re interested in, and they’ll give you a rundown of potential problems.
Seventh Generation Problems (2018 – Present)
One of the most pain-free generations of vehicles you´ll ever see. The only serious problem this generation has had was a faulty fuel pump in the 2019 model year. This led to engine stalling. A recall was issued (20V682000) and the fuel pump assembly in these vehicles was replaced free of charge. Looking further into this generation we see it has received very few other complaints on the website of the NHTSA. Overall a very strong performance.
Sixth Generation Problems (2012 – 2018)
- ES350 model years 2010-2017 had issues with the driver side frontal air bag inflators and were recalled because of the inflator exploding due to propellant degradation due to long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature.
- 2007-2016 model years had problems with massive oil leaks. This was due to the VVT-i oil line puncture. If the oil loss is quite a bit, then a low oil pressure message and engine oil pressure warnings will be lit, and continued usage can lead to engine failure.
- 2017 model years had some steering problems. The problem is the right-hand side tie rod assembly because of improper installation. The driver may initially hear noise coming from the steering assembly, which may be aggravated by the car drifting to the right or the left and, in the worst-case scenario, to loss of steering control.
- 2015 model years had problems with unintended acceleration. The issue is reportedly due to an electronic defect that causes the throttle to expand, resulting in sudden unintended acceleration without pressing on the gas pedal.
Fifth Generation Problems (2006 – 2012)
The fifth generation of the Lexus ES 350 definitely had more problems than the generations that came after it. Here´s a list of what you can expect if you´re in the market for one of these model years:
- Melting dashboards were a problem for the complete Toyota/Lexus lineup. This also meant sun flare became a big issue.
- Lexus ES350 (especially the 2007 – 2009 model years) are also susceptible to cooling loss due to a faulty evaporator core or coil.
- Model years 2007-2011 ES350 are prone to electronic throttle body failure, generating a fault code P0505. If this happens, the only remedy is to replace the throttle body.
- 2007 owners have complained of the blown head gasket with the accompanied check engine light and vehicle stability control light.
- 2008-2010 and 2014 are known to have infotainment system black-out issues that cause loss of Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, radio, and in some cases, heater. The remedy is to contact the dealership and get the appropriate software updated.
Also read: Types Of Gas A Lexus ES 350 Takes (Explained)
Is a Lexus ES 350 A Smart Buy?
Finally, we have to answer the question of whether or not the ES 350 is a smart buy or not. When we look at the number of miles we expect it to drive we see that this is well over 200.000. Furthermore, the ES 350 performs better than many of its luxury competitors which is a strong positive sign.
Maintenance costs of the ES 350 are far below the average for its class which means it’s not only a luxury vehicle but it´s also affordable compared to its segment. Finally, we saw that the fifth and sixth generations do have some problems that you should look out for, but the seventh generation is practically problem-free.
Overall we would say the ES 350 is definitely a car worth considering if you watch out for common problems. If you want to get great value for your money, the 2018 or 2020 model year will most likely provide you with the best opportunity. However, the other generations can fit smaller budgets as well. The ES 350 therefore has something to offer to everybody.
Lexus ES 350 Maintenance Schedule
If you want to keep your Lexus ES 350 healthy for a longer period of time, then you must have it regularly maintained. If your ES 350 is regularly maintained, you won’t have to spend a lot on expensive repairs, and your precious Lexus will go a long way before finally going to heaven.
Before/On Every 10,000 Miles
- Before every 10k miles, you have to change the engine oil, preferably, before 7k miles to have the best possible performance and reliability.
- Brake inspections
- Tire pressure check
- Diagnosis for any check engine lights
- Oil filter replacement
- Check for any oil leaks
Before/On Every 20,000 Miles
- Power steering check
- Exhaust system check
- Transmission fluid level check
- Fuel lines inspection to make sure that there is no leakage
Before/On Every 40,000 Miles
- Change fuel filter
- Flush and change hydraulic fluid
- Service fuel injectors
- Inspect the valve cover gasket, and replace it if necessary.
- Inspect the timing chain whether it’s in sync or not.
Note: If you regularly add extremely high-quality cans of petroleum in your gas tank, you can save some bucks on servicing internal components as the petroleum would do the cleaning job without needing to open anything.
You can look up the term Sea Foam or something similar to any other brand of your choosing, and by adding that to your tank, the internals of your engine will remain happy.
Before/On Every 60,000 Miles
- Replace the spark plug if the spark is orange
- Rotate or replace the brake rotors as per requirement
- Clean the fuel system. But if you regularly use the sea foam, you can save some bucks.
- You might consider changing the timing chain at this point, as in most cases, by this time, the timing chain starts jumping, and that is not good, you will also hear a lot of rattles from the engine if the timing chain has lost its synchronization and has worn out.
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!