2007–2024 LEXUS ES 350

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles with no external leaks, Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs, misfires, Check engine light for lean codes if oil drops too low

Fix: Toyota issued TSB and extended warranty to 150k miles for piston ring replacement on affected VINs. Proper fix requires engine-out disassembly, new pistons and rings, honing cylinders. 18-24 labor hours. Some owners opt for short block if bearings show wear. Not a quick fix.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or won't shift, Radiator coolant contaminated with ATF, Transmission failure shortly after coolant intrusion

Fix: Metal cooler lines corrode internally where they enter the radiator, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. If caught early, flush both systems, replace radiator and lines (2-3 hours). If delayed, transmission internals fail from coolant contamination—requires full rebuild or replacement (12-16 hours). Preventive replacement of cooler lines at 100k is wise.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 preventive; $4,000-6,500 with transmission damage

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk or thud on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay, Vibration at idle in Drive, Harsh engagement into gear

Fix: The right-side transmission mount (torque strut) and front engine mount wear from normal stress. Rubber separates from metal, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Replace both at once for balance. 2-3 labor hours with subframe support.

Estimated cost: $600-900

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle, stumbling on cold start, Loss of power, hesitation under load, Misfires on multiple cylinders, Increased fuel consumption

Fix: Direct-injection 2GR engines don't wash valves with fuel. Carbon accumulates over time. Proper fix is walnut blasting the intake ports with intake manifold off. 4-6 labor hours. Some shops use chemical cleaners with limited success. Catch-can installation helps prevent recurrence.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant leak from weep hole under timing cover, Grinding or squealing noise from front of engine, Overheating, Coolant smell in cabin

Fix: Water pump is behind the timing cover, driven by the belt. Bearing failure or seal leak requires timing cover removal. While in there, replace timing belt or chain components as applicable (this engine uses a chain, but tensioner and guides should be inspected). 6-8 labor hours for pump, more if you do chain components.

Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Rattling or grinding noise on cold start for 1-2 seconds, Noise goes away when engine warms up, Check engine light for VVT timing codes (rare), No performance issues otherwise

Fix: Variable valve timing actuator gears wear and rattle when oil pressure is low at startup. If just noise, many owners live with it. If codes appear or performance drops, replace both bank 1 and bank 2 VVTi gears. Requires valve cover removal. 4-5 labor hours.

Estimated cost: $800-1,300

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires, Fuel smell in cabin or engine bay, Hard starting when hot, Fuel pooling on intake manifold

Fix: Direct injectors run high pressure and can develop internal leaks or carbon clogging. External seals also fail. Diagnose with leak-down test and flow bench. Replace all six at once to avoid repeat labor. 3-4 hours for removal, cleaning, and reinstallation; add time if replacing all injectors.

Estimated cost: $600-900 for cleaning; $1,800-2,500 for six new injectors installed