Lexus ES350 Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  7
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  6
• On-off switch assembly
  4
• Side/window
  4
• Knee bolster
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2626%
• 25k–50k
  2525%
• 50k–75k
  2020%
• 75k–100k
  1515%
• 100k–150k
  88%
• 150k+
  55%

What owners report

GM is unable to provide an ETA on a replacement airbag that is under an open safety recall. It has been months since I started contacting my nearest GMC dealer and GM customer support. It is unacceptable they can immediately repair let alone being un able to even provide a time frame for the replacement airbags.

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving 61 MPH, he hit a deer. The airbags did not deploy as his face hit the steering wheel. The contact stated he saw smoke from the engine compart however, no fire was seen. The contact stated he sustained head injuries however, he did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a collision center by the insurance company. The cause of the failure has not been determined by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Passenger-side leg airbag failed to fully deploy during an accident. It also exploded and expelled accelerate. The driver-side airbags deployed properly. This was during a front-end collision with the side of another vehicle. My car was proceedingstraight through an intersection on a parkway-like city drive. ..updated 09/26/17

The vehicle was in an accident as a result of another drive jetting out in front. Car impacted at the front driver side, causing damage to the front bumper mount, hood and driver side quarter panel. Impact to the other vehicle was the rear quarter on the passenger side. Upon impact the airbags failed to deploy, onboard safety connect feature did not connect to confirm driver was OK and the sos button failed to work at the scene of the accident. This was reported to Toyota.

Driver side knee airbag caused hematoma, second degree burn on l. Leg, resulting in 2 surgeries, use of wound vac for 2 1/2 months, and permanent lympedema and scarring on l. Calf. Driver has replaced knees that are at high risk if further crash and knee bag deploys again. Driver needs on-off switch installed for driver knee airbag. Driver was not at fault in this accident and wants knee airbags removed or an on-off switch installed. The airbag on steering wheel deployed correctly and caused no damage. The knee airbag is a danger to driver.

Takata recall original recall date sept 2017, per Lexus dealer not available possible December 2017. NHTSA indicates "timely manner", this has been in effect since early[jan-feb 2017]...what does NHTSA define as a timely manner [my opinion a year is not a timely manner especially when dealer states in a letter...until the remedy becomes available, we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat. We sincerely apologize.....etc" no accident has occurred to date.

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 70 MPH, without warning an abnormal noise was heard coming from the passenger wheel and within seconds he lost control of the vehicle crashing into a ditch and flipping over. The driver depressed the brake pedal as the vehicle slid on the wet roadway due to the rain. The driver was ejected from the vehicle thru the windshield as the air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained a broken hip and face laceration as he was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was made. The insurance company was contacted and towed the vehicle to a lot where it was deemed a total loss. No dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure as a claim was filed. However no further assistance was taken. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. While driving at 15 MPH, the driver rear ended the preceding vehicle. The driver side air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the head and medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.

Related recalls (5)

NHTSA investigations