3 of 21 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2017 Lexus ES. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 14% of relevant complaints.
Better than 94% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 4 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 12%).
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
What owners reported
ENGINE09/11/2025
I have purchased two Lexus ES350s--a 2007 and a 2017. Both cars have been serviced at Lexus of Atlanta and both have had transmission failure. On August 28, 2025, after my car passed emissions and had just been serviced a month prior at the dealership, my car abruptly jumped and stalled, and the "Traction Control" mess…
POWER TRAIN12/27/2020
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THAT WAS STATIONARY AND DEPRESSED BREAKS TO SHIFT CAR FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE CAR STAYED IN NEUTRAL AND JUST ROLLED AS IF NO GEAR ENGAGED. THE ERROR ON THE SCREEN READ: 'TO START VEHICLE, PUT SHIFT LEVER INTO P'
ENGINE06/29/2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (BELL LEXUS NORTH SCOTTSDALE, 18555 N SCOTTSDALE RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255, (480)-502-5000) WHERE IT…
Three of 3 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (1)
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017 Lexus ES350 vehicles. The right-hand side tie rod lock nut may loosen over time.
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2017 Lexus ES
No elevated drivetrain pattern for this model year. That describes the model, not the car in front of you.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
1 recall campaign on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A engine already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.
