Well, here is what happened. I brought the car in at 9AM, 2 hours early. Greeted very nicely by the female service writer. She knew the car and why I brought it in without being told to her. She starts to look up the information on her computer screen and I give her the TSIB on the rear brakes. She reads it and starts to say that it is not a recall. I told her I knew that but my ES350 has the same syptoms at 28,166 miles (worn rear shoes). Her attitude completely changed! She asked me how I knew the rear brakes were bad and I told her my local garage alerted me when they rotated the tires last week. She then informed me that the last time I had the car in was at 5,000 miles and they needed to inspect it. I told her that was correct - the last time I had it in was for the second replacement transmission! She then said they would look at it and call me later. I steamed out of there and awaited her call. I called her at 1PM and she told me that the car was being inspected. She called back at 2PM and said her manager approved the rear brake replacement for goodwill, but the rear brakes do wear out at 30,000 miles. I informed her that my 2007 Impala SS has the same rear brakes, rated good at 56,000 miles and our 2007 Grand Cherokee has 53,000 miles with the rear brakes still good. If the mileage was around 50,000 miles or more, then she would have a case. She tols me that the car would be ready at 5PM. Picked it up at 7:30PM and the car brakes perfect again. All at no charge. They followed the TSIB to the tee. I was ready for a war but it did not materialize. This Lexus dealer is like flying coach class versus the Cleveland based Metro Lexus, who I would rate like flying first class.
Anyway, thanks to posting by fellow Lexus people, the car is right now. I do wonder - if I did not bring in the TSIB, they would have got me for a rear brake job that was covered by Lexus.

 

I haven't seen a modern sports sedan have brakes last over 40k miles in ages. I think you got very lucky here, but good for you. Lexus has some great service.

 

Front brakes on my Impala SS lasted about 40,000 miles/ rear are not anywhere near worn out at 55,000 miles. At 28,000 miles, the rears should not be gone, hence the Lexus TSIB on them.

 

A couple of months ago I took my car in for the 3 yr/36k service. They didn't give %'s, but said there are still a lot of miles left on the front and rear brakes - Same for the original tires (Michelin)

 

According to the work order - rears were at 3-4/32" / fronts are at 8-9/32" (standard is at 13/32", minimum 1-2/32". They installed the pad kit, fitting kit,disc brake caliper G, shim kit - anti-squeal. Mileage 28,166.

 

In case there are any DIY'ers out there, I would recommend Akebono ceramic pads and either new or cut rotors. I used them on previous Lexus's and they stop excellent with little or no dust. These may be the OEM's on Toyotas.

I changed my 97 Camry rear pads at about 120,000 miles and just doing the GMC Yukon at 100,000 miles. both have room to go more. Not sure if the ES350 will need them like the others on the board but 30-40k is way too soon in my book.