V
VIN Check Engine
Home/JTHBK1GG3F2183269
VIN REPORT

JTHBK1GG3F21832692015 LEXUS ES350

Risk Score
20
MODERATE RISK
out of 100
Safety Recalls
Clear
No active recalls
NHTSA Complaints
5
Reported to NHTSA
Safety Rating
Not Tested
See iihs.org/ratings
Vehicle Age
11 yrs
Made in JAPAN
Safety Grade
B-
Score: 80/100
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2015 LEXUS ES was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 5 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

  • ▸2 injuries reported across 5 owner complaints
  • ▸Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
  • ▸Complaint language indicates serious real-world safety incidents beyond routine mechanical failures
20/100
Moderate Risk
1 moderate risk signal detected. Negotiate accordingly and verify service history.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
Contributing Risk Factors — 1 detected
Critical deferred maintenance — safety-critical components overdue
+20
Critical Alerts
Title Brand CheckMined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle
Vehicle SpecificationsDecoded from NHTSA vPIC database
Make
LEXUS
Model
ES
Year
2015
Trim / Series
350
Body Style
Sedan/Saloon
Vehicle Type
PASSENGER CAR
Drive Type
4x2
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
6-cyl 3.5L
Doors
4
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Assembly
MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA, JAPAN
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Assembly Plant QualityPlant: MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA
CQuality55/100
Standard📍 MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety
Safety IntelligenceComposite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
Overall Safety Grade
B-
Score: 80/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety30/30
Complaint History30/30
Recall Risk Score
0/100Clear

✓ No high-risk recall components found

Modern Safety Index
2/100
Basic
1 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Driver Assistance FeaturesADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Forward Collision Warning?Unknown
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning?Unknown
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam?Unknown
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera?Unknown
Electronic Stability Control?Unknown
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake Support?Unknown
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls
Deferred Failure RiskComponents and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
82/100
Critical Deferred Risk
Critical deferred failure risk — 4 safety-critical or high-cost components are past their service interval. Without immediate attention, repair costs will compound significantly.
⚠No odometer data on record. Mileage is estimated at ~132,000 mi based on average annual driving. Items marked EST. OVERDUE may already be due — verify service history with the seller. Items marked OVERDUE are confirmed past-due based on vehicle age alone.
EST. OVERDUECriticalTiming Chain Tensioner
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 11 yr · Past due by age
Service Timing Chain Tensioner immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
EST. OVERDUECriticalWater Pump
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 11 yr · Past due by age
Service Water Pump immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
EST. OVERDUEHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 11 yr · Past due by age
Service Transmission Fluid / Service immediately — already past the 60,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
EST. OVERDUEHighCoolant Flush
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 11 yr · Past due by age
Service Coolant Flush immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
EST. OVERDUEModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 11 yr · Past due by age
Service Spark Plugs (iridium/platinum) immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
EST. OVERDUEModerateFuel Injectors
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 11 yr · Past due by age
Service Fuel Injectors immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
0CLEAR
✓
No Recall Campaigns Found
NHTSA has no active or historical recalls for this 2015 LEXUS.
Injury Rate per Complaint
1 in 3

1 in 3 complaints involved an injury — significantly above average, indicating real-world safety incidents.

Complaints
Complaint Intelligence5 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
By System / Component
Safety Systems
2 crash2 inj2
Body/Structure
1
Electrical
1
Suspension/Wheels
1
Complaint Trend by Year
2024
3
2025
1
2026
1
Complaint Trend
Accelerating +300%
4
Last 24 months
1
Prior 24 months

⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse

Owner Complaints5 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
5
2
Crashes
2
Injuries
ODI #11709018STRUCTURE

The paint is cracking and it is rusting.

ODI #11683878ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed that the infotainment system was displaying a blank screen, and the contact heard an abnormal sound. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

ODI #11628039AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

1. I was involved in a car accident on Aug 28, 2024 when I was about to go around a curve in the road. A vehicle coming at breakneck speed and well over the posted speed limit, lost control, went over the double yellow lines and crashed into the left driver side of my Lexus. I was the driver and my left knee got crushed against the dashboard. None of my airbags, including my knee airbag deployed. My car was totaled but it is still available for inspection and held at the insurance company. The other driver was test driving a Mercedes and all their aibags deployed. 2. I suffered a communited patella fracture where my knee cap got fractured into several pieces, was taken by ambulance and had to have surgery the next day. The driver and the passenger in the other car were unscathed. 3. No. Until about two weeks ago I was under the impression that my 2015 Lexus was too old to include knee airbags. We recently found out that my car did indeed have knee airbags which did not deploy. For that matter none of the airbags deployed. 4. •My car was towed initially to the police tow lot and then to a car repair place. The car repair place along with a representative from our insurance company together decided that my car is damaged beyond repair. I have filed a complained with Lexus Brand Engagement Center and they have said that they will proceed with sending an inspector out to check the car as to why my airbags did not deploy causing me such a grievous knee injury 5. •There had been no warning lights of any kind. The police report shows that the airbag switch was on.

ODI #11611696AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

The contact owned a 2015 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH during heavy rain weather conditions, the vehicle was hydroplaned, control of the vehicle was lost, and crashed into the concrete median. The contact heads impacted the steering wheel and the vehicle ricocheted off the concrete median and spun three times. The vehicle crashed into a wall and the vehicle came to a stop. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained head, tongue, middle back, shoulder, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

ODI #11577512STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The braking, steering and suspension components are malfunctioning and are extremely rusted. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety as well as my passengers, other motorists and pedestrians with children and pets on the roads and highways safety is compromised due to the vehicle violently and unexpectedly pulling left and right, losing contact with the road over rough road surfaces and shaking uncontrollably during deceleration. I cannot state with certainty that the dealerships have reproduced the problem and I have not been given written permission to take my vehicle to an independent service center after numerous complaints. I cannot confirm that the vehicle or components have been inspected by the manufacturer, however no police, or insurance representatives have inspected my vehicle. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed on my vehicle's instrument panels, however, there were symptoms such as shaking, rattling, uncomfortable and uncharacteristic handling and a feeling of a serious problem or defect prior to the suspension lower arm assembly being replaced and diagnosis of broken steering column bushings, circa 2021. As of today, the low tire pressure light stays on constantly.

Complaint Severity AnalysisNLP analysis of complaint language — not all complaints are equal
42/100
High Severity
3 of 5 complaints use high-severity language

3 complaints use high-severity language including injury, ambulance, children — these are not minor inconveniences.

injuryambulancechildrenchild
Complaint & Reliability TimelineAnnual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints and reliability score for LEXUS ES — recall years marked in red
023050100202420252026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 5 NHTSA complaints on file for the LEXUS ES — a relatively low volume that spans from 2024 to 2026.

The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 94/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.

Red dots on the amber line flag 2024, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial
5-Year Total Cost of OwnershipEstimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
$46,614
~$777/mo over 5 yrs
$0.4/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$21,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$3,000
Depreciation
$5,114

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation AmmunitionUse these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
High-severity owner complaint language−$700
Total recommended deduction−$700
Pre-Purchase Inspection ChecklistTailored for the 2015 LEXUS ES — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: STRUCTURE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: AIR BAGS
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.
Recall Probability ForecastEstimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
20%
18-month
36%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 36%

20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.

  • ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
Maintenance ScheduleOEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Official LEXUS Maintenance Guide ↗Search Owner's Manual ↗

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions
Insurance Cost EstimateEstimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Full Coverage
$1,450–$1,850/yr
~$121–$154/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
▼ 11-year-old vehicle: −18% (depreciated ACV lowers full-coverage cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

State-Specific Legal ProtectionsWhat consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data TableAll decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINJTHBK1GG3F2183269
Model Year2015
MakeLEXUS
ModelES
Trim350
SeriesGSV40L/AVV60L
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
Drive Type4x2
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Engine Cylinders6
Displacement (L)3.5

Manufacturer

ManufacturerTOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Assembly CityMIYAWAKA
Assembly CountryJAPAN

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)JTH
Check Digit (Char 9)3
Model Year Code (Char 10)F
Plant Code (Char 11)2
Sequence (Chars 12–17)183269

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count0
NHTSA Complaint Count5
VIN Structure DecodeISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
J
1
T
2
H
3
B
4
K
5
1
6
G
7
G
8
3
9
F
10
2
11
1
12
8
13
3
14
2
15
6
16
9
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
J
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
T
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
H
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
BK1GG
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
3
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
F
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
2
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
183269
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Japan
From VIN position 1 (J)
Model Year Character
"F" → 2015
Could also be 1985
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model
Reliability Scores
Year-by-year reliability ratings
Years to Avoid
Best & worst model years ranked
Common Problems
Owner complaints & known defects
All NHTSA Recalls
Complete recall campaign history
View all LEXUS VIN reports →← New Lookup

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/3/2026, 6:44:36 PM.