2016 Lexus ES350

The 2016 Lexus ES 350 is a popular luxury sedan known for its comfortable ride, quiet interior, and reliability. It comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. People generally appreciate the car’s smooth ride, luxurious interior, and reputation for dependability. However, some owners dislike the somewhat bland styling and less-than-sporty handling compared to some rivals. Here’s a breakdown of common issues and complaints reported by owners:

Engine

3.5L 2GR-FE V6

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks may develop from various areas, including the valve cover gaskets, timing cover, or oil pan. Symptoms include visible oil drips, the smell of burning oil, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking gasket or seal.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ depending on the location of the leak and labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• P0012, P0015 VVT Control System Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Check engine light with codes relating to variable valve timing such as P0012 (Camshaft Position “A” Timing Over-Retarded) or P0015 (Camshaft Position “B” Timing Over-Retarded). Symptoms may also include rough idle, reduced power, and poor fuel economy.
  • Solution: Replacing or cleaning the VVT solenoid, checking oil levels and condition, and inspecting/replacing the camshaft position sensor if necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+ depending on the component.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Aisin U660E 6-Speed Automatic

• Harsh Shifting or Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported instances of harsh shifting, particularly between lower gears, or hesitation when accelerating.
  • Solution: A transmission fluid flush may resolve minor issues. In more severe cases, valve body replacement or transmission rebuild might be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 (fluid flush) - $3,000+ (rebuild/replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• No Issues Found

Electrical

• Navigation/Infotainment System Freezing or Rebooting
  • Description/Symptoms: The navigation or infotainment system may intermittently freeze, become unresponsive, or randomly reboot.
  • Solution: Software update, system reset, or replacement of the head unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (software update) - $1,500+ (head unit replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: The car’s battery may drain overnight or over a few days, preventing the car from starting. This can be caused by a parasitic draw.
  • Solution: Diagnose the parasitic draw, usually caused by an aftermarket accessory that was incorrectly installed, or a faulty module that is staying on when the car is off.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ depending on the source of the draw.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Daytime Running Light Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: One or both of the daytime running lights (DRLs) may stop functioning.
  • Solution: Replacing the DRL bulb or the entire headlight assembly, depending on the design.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $500+ depending on the DRL bulb and headlight assembly.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: Reports of dashboard cracking in hot climates are present, particularly on darker colored dashboards.
  • Solution: Replacement of the dashboard.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2016 Lexus ES 350 is a generally reliable vehicle, but like any car, it has some potential issues. The most common problems relate to minor oil leaks from the engine and occasional infotainment glitches. More serious issues such as transmission problems and dashboard cracking are less frequent but can be costly to repair. Overall, the severity of issues is generally low to moderate, with repair costs ranging from a few hundred dollars for minor fixes to several thousand for major repairs like transmission rebuilds or dashboard replacements.