Quality differences between Japanese ES and American ES
 

Hello,

Given that the 2016 ES (and a few late model 2015's) is now produced in Kentucky, I was wondering if anyone noticed any differences between the two.

Obviously there's going to be a few differences (regardless of the place of manufacture) as the 2016 ES has gone through a mid-cycle refresh.

But in regards to manufacturing oversights / quality issues; has anyone noticed any problems with the new 2016's?

Thank you,
Nelson

There were no 2015's built in KY. I have no first hand experience, but some have mentioned issues with their rear doors being harder to close. Otherwise, it's probably too early to know.

Keep in mind that only the ES350 is made in KY. The ES300h is still made in Japan.

It usually takes at least one year for kinks to be eliminated in assembly and production for a new car plant. Same for a new car model. I, for one, would not buy a new car from such a plant until a year had passed and all of the numerous TSB's had been addressed. I believe that ultimately the Kentucky Lexus will be every bit as good in quality as the one from Japan.

My '16 ES UL was made in Japan.

I bought it in Dec. After 6K miles no problems thus far!

Is your ES a 300 or 350?

It's a ES350.

No one should be expecting problems with a Lexus ES after 6k miles. Hopefully in the future, you can still say "After 150k miles, no problems this far!"

How did your 2006 BMW 3 series fair in terms of reliability and longevity? Or was that a lease?

I bought the '06 BMW as a CPO. I had two problems over the 3.5 years that I had the car. The first was a defective U-joint in the steering rack (luckily covered by the CPO warranty). The second was with a mysterious battery drain which ended up being a failing resistor (CPO warranty had expired).

For what it is worth:
Lexus Manufacturing Plants in Kentucky and Japan Win J.D. Power Platinum Awards
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2016/06/...atinum-awards/

That is both interesting and encouraging - hope it continues that way.

Dave Mac

There was quite a discussion here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...-us-build.html