Lexus ES Problems by Year

We compared every Lexus ES model year from 1999–2025 using 657 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 4 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2021, 2019, 2011, 2020 and 2010, which drew far more complaints than other ES years at the same age. The best years are 2015, 2016 and 2018.

24model years
657complaints
4recalls
2021, 2019worst years
2015, 2016best years

Complaints by model year

’99’00’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’15’16’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25862723165812125682841463134595341828111095
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus ES. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202553.0×1Collision AvoidanceFew
202495.5×2Collision AvoidanceAverage
2023103.3×2Wheel & TireAverage
2022112.9×—Wheel & TireAverage
2021284.1×1AirbagAvoid
2020182.3×1AirbagCaution
2019343.3×1Fuel SystemAvoid
20185−46%—BodyGood
20169−61%—BrakeGood
20155−83%—AirbagGood
2013341.5×—BrakeCaution
2012311.7×—AirbagCaution
2011462.6×—AirbagAvoid
2010411.9×—AirbagCaution
2009281.3×—AirbagAverage
2008682.9×—AirbagAvoid
20071253.1×—AirbagAvoid
200612−78%—AirbagGood
2005583.4×—TransmissionAvoid
200416−56%—AccelerationGood
200323−22%—AccelerationAverage
200227−39%—EngineAverage
20006−83%—ElectricalGood
19998−50%—AccelerationGood

* Complaints compared with the median ES year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lexus ES problems

Latest Lexus ES recalls

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 25V-744 · Oct 30, 2025 · 1,024,407 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models.

Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 24V-124 · Feb 21, 2024 · 18,616 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system.

Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 23V-865 · Dec 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024.

Air bags › Knee bolster

NHTSA recall 19V-288 · Apr 10, 2019 · 564 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus ES vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a driver knee air bag assembly mounted to the lower instrument panel (IP) that may have been improperly installed, possibly affecting the deployment of the knee air bag in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver knee air bag assembly, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

All 4 Lexus ES recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus ES should you avoid?

2021, 2019, 2011, 2020, 2010 and 2012 — these years have the most complaints relative to other ES years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2021.

What is the best year for the Lexus ES?

2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other ES years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2018. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lexus ES problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (227), body & structure (74) and speed control & acceleration (56). Airbag complaints peak in the 2008 model year.

How many recalls has the Lexus ES had?

4 recalls across 1999–2025. The model year with the most is 2023. See all Lexus ES recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.