Photo: Dinkun Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2016 Lexus ES: common problems and reliability
One of the better ES years.
37 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2016 ES?The 2016 Lexus ES has 37 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and air bags.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Lexus ES vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other ES years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the ES?
Across the 29 ES model years we track, complaint volume runs from 15 (2018) to 664 (2007). With 37 complaints, the 2016 ES sits below the model's median of 56.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 ES
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Campaign 16V198000Toyota 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."
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment centered on exceptional long-term reliability, low operating costs, and a comfortable, quiet, and refined driving experience.
Owner insights cover all generations of the ES. See the full ES owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used ES listings typically run $43,225–$47,448.
Other ES model years
Compare every ES year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the ES against its rivals
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