There are 3 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2009 Lexus ESin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SMELL WAS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ALSO SMELLED THE FUEL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELL THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THEY WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE ANOTHER TECHNICIAN INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,100. UPDATED 08/31/11
I TOO AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE THUMPING NOISE FROM THE TRUNK AREA. I NOTICE WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A DEAD STOP IT SOUNDS LIKE A THUMP NOISE RIGHT WHEN YOU TAKE OFF. IT MUST BE THE FUEL TANK AND I NOW SEE THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL??> *TR
HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK ON THE CAR. WHEN IT IS FULL AND I STOP AND THEN DRIVE AWAY I HEAR A THUMPING NOISE FROM IT. ONLY HEAR IT WHEN THE TANK IS FULL AT 1/2 I DON'T HEAR IT. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS THE GAS TANK. HAD IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A NORMAL THING. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD FILLED UP 3 CARS OF THE SAME MODEL CAR AND IT WAS NOTICED IN THEM..AFTER ALL WE ARE DEALING WITH GAS.. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026