Which Years Of Used Lexus ES Vehicles Are Most Reliable?
We explore the Lexus ES's generations to determine which years are most reliable. See which ES years we deem safe to buy used — and why.
People searching for a reliable luxury vehicle will generally look in the direction of Lexus. As the luxury segment of Toyota, Lexus offers a varied lineup of reliable, refined, and fuel-efficient cars and SUVs. One of the most popular Lexus models is the ES sedan, which looks like a crossover between a town car and a sportier sedan – at least with the recent model years.
The Lexus ES is an excellent place to start if you’re in the market for a good, reliable, used luxury sedan. However, not all Lexus ES models are reliable; some years are more reliable than others.
To help you find the most reliable Lexus ES year, we’ll walk you through its more recent generations and determine which models are worth the investment and otherwise. Let’s get to it.
THE LEXUS ES 350 YEARS TO AVOID
Let’s take a quick look at the Lexus ES 350 years to avoid. These years aren’t necessarily bad cars, but they are the models that don’t tend to perform well in terms of consumer satisfaction or parts performance.
1997-2001 Lexus ES
This is the third generation of the Lexus ES and an excellent place to start your search for a reliable and affordable used luxury car.
Buy: 1997 Lexus ES
When the 1997 Lexus ES was released, it was praised for its excellent predicted reliability and manufacturing quality. Therefore, if you’re buying an older Lexus ES, the 1997 model is a top-notch option because it’s very affordable nowadays. Many Edmunds users were delighted with their 1997 Lexus ES, which lasted 200k+ miles, with one user claiming that they managed to rack up 300k miles on their 1997 ES.
It does have some common problems, like the illuminating check engine light due to failed O2 sensor and ignition coil failure. With a price range of $5,581 - $9,044, the 1997 Lexus ES deserves to be on your shortlist.
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Buy: 2000-2001 Lexus ES
Both 2000-2001 Lexus ES model years are also excellent candidates for the most reliable Lexus ES year. A used 2000 ES is the definition of value, as it offers a quiet and smooth ride, a roomy interior, and a well-optioned model. If you can find a relatively low-mileage 2000 Lexus ES, consider yourself lucky.
The same applies to the 2001 ES 300, a luxury sedan that provides incredible comfort and ergonomics, excellent visibility, and hard-to-beat reliability. Many drivers have claimed they were able to put 200k+ miles on the 2001 ES easily.
2002-2006 Lexus ES
The fourth-gen Lexus ES 300 is a well-rounded luxury cruiser with a nicely furnished interior and a comfortable driving experience. Reliability-wise, it’s another winning generation in our book.
Buy: 2003-2005 Lexus ES
These three Lexus ES model years are undoubtedly some of the most reliable models of the company. The 2003-2005 Lexus ES has received the “CR Recommended” badge from Consumer Reports. With that said the 2003 and 2004 models have a reliability verdict of 4.0 out of 5.0, with both having high customer satisfaction ratings as well.
Meanwhile, the 2005 Lexus ES knocks it out of the park with reliability and customer satisfaction scores of a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0. Owners share the same positive sentiment about the luxury sedan, with some claiming it’s one of the best vehicles they have owned. For sure, this is the most reliable Lexus ES year in the fourth generation.
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
2007-2012 Lexus ES
The Lexus ES 350 becomes even better in its fifth generation, including its reliability.
Avoid: 2007 Lexus ES 350
To be clear, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 is not an unreliable luxury sedan at all. In fact, it has also received the “CR Recommended” badge from Consumer Reports, with 4.0 out of 5.0 ratings in both reliability and customer satisfaction. We’re only advising to avoid this model year because it received the most number of complaints over at CarComplaints.com – with many reports revolving around interior accessories problems.
Also, it pales compared to the rest of the fifth generation Lexus ES models in terms of reliability. However, if you can get an excellent deal for a used 2007 ES 350, we say go for it.
Buy: 2010-2012 Lexus ES
The 2010-2012 Lexus ES model years have been the crowning achievement for Toyota’s luxury segment, as they’re some of the most reliable luxury sedans available in the used car market.
Once again, these three model years have received the CR Recommended badge with a perfect reliability score of 5.0 out of 5.0. In addition, the 2011 Lexus ES was also awarded the “Awesome” seal of approval from CarComplaints, with only 200+ complaints that mainly were about interior accessory issues.
The 2010-2012 Lexus ES model years were also favorably reviewed by customers from various websites like Cars.com, KBB, and Edmunds.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
2013-2018 Lexus ES
If you’re looking for a newer used Lexus ES, the sixth generation is a stellar lineup, reliability-wise.
Buy: 2013-2018 Lexus ES
The entire sixth-gen Lexus ES was widely considered reliable while providing a comfortable ride, a quiet interior, and good fuel economy. All models from this generation have received the coveted “CR Recommended” badge from Consumer Reports, with every model receiving a perfect reliability verdict of 5.0 out of 5.0. Meanwhile, CarComplaints tell a similar story, with the 2013-2018 models receiving the least number of complaints and only dealing with minor issues.
If we have to pick the best of the bunch, we have to go with the 2017 Lexus ES 350 because it offers a good balance of athletic performance, well-optioned features, and top-notch reliability.
2019-Present Lexus ES
The newest generation of the Lexus ES retains its reputation for excellent reliability. Again, all of these more recent models have good predicted reliability scores, but they’re too new to collect more information about potential reliability and longevity issues. With that said, the 2019 Lexus ES has a perfect reliability rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 from Consumer Reports, so we recommend that you check this model out if you’re looking for a newer, used luxury sedan.
Nevertheless, if you’re going to buy a used model from the current generation of ES 350, be prepared to pay near-retail prices since Lexus vehicles tend to hold their value relatively well.
Frequently Asked Questions: Most Reliable Used Lexus ES Years
Q: Which Lexus ES model years from the third generation (1997-2001) are the most reliable?
A: Based on our findings, the 1997, 2000, and 2001 Lexus ES models are excellent choices for reliable used luxury cars. The 1997 model, in particular, is known for its impressive predicted reliability and manufacturing quality, with some owners reporting their vehicles lasting up to 300,000 miles.
Q: Which model year should I avoid when considering a fifth-generation (2007-2012) Lexus ES?
A: While the 2007 Lexus ES 350 is not inherently unreliable, we suggest avoiding this model year due to the higher number of complaints reported on CarComplaints.com, primarily related to interior accessory problems. Compared to the rest of the fifth-generation Lexus ES models, the 2007 model falls short in reliability.
Q: Are the latest generation (2019-present) Lexus ES models reliable?
A: The newest generation of the Lexus ES appears to maintain the model’s reputation for excellent reliability. However, since these models are relatively new, there is limited information about potential long-term reliability and longevity issues. The 2019 Lexus ES, in particular, has received a perfect reliability rating from Consumer Reports.
Q: If I’m looking for a reliable used Lexus ES from the sixth generation (2013-2018), which model years should I consider?
A: We recommend any model year from the sixth-generation Lexus ES lineup (2013-2018), as they are all considered highly reliable while offering a comfortable ride, quiet interior, and good fuel economy. Each model year has earned the “CR Recommended” badge from Consumer Reports and received perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 reliability verdicts.
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