Lexus Es years to avoid (and the best years)
223 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls across 8 model years, 2010 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 223complaints
- 4recalls
- 27reported crashes
- 1reported fires
- 24reported injuries
Which Lexus Es years should you avoid?
No Lexus Es model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Lexus Es year has 28 complaints on file.
What are the best Lexus Es years?
The Lexus Es years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (10), 2020 (18) and 2013 (27). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 0.4× | 2 | 3 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2021 | 28 | 1.0× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2020 | 18 | 0.7× | 1 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2019 | 28 | 1.0× | 1 | 6 | 5 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2013 | 27 | 1.0× | 0 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 27 | 1.0× | 0 | 4 | 7 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 44 | 1.6× | 0 | 6 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 41 | 1.5× | 0 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 142 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts72 (51%)
- Other systems20 (14%)
- Steering, suspension & tires13 (9%)
- Brakes11 (8%)
- Engine & powertrain10 (7%)
Recalls (4)
Safety · 25V744000 · Oct 2025 · model year 2023
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V124000 · Feb 2024 · model year 2023
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 23V865000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2020, 2021
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V288000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the knee air bag does not deploy properly.