Lexus ES: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 27 model years of the Lexus ES on record, 2021 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (28, most often about air bags). It also has the most recall campaigns (1). 2020 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (3).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 44 MPG |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 MPG |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 26 MPG |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 26 MPG |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 26 MPG |
| 2021 | 1 | 28 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 26 MPG |
| 2020 | 1 | 18 | 3 | AIR BAGS | 26 MPG |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 26 MPG |
| 2018 | 0 | 5 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | 40 MPG |
| 2017 | 0 | 3 | 0 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 40 MPG |
| 2016 | 0 | 9 | 2 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 40 MPG |
| 2015 | 0 | 5 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 40 MPG |
| 2014 | 0 | 4 | 1 | SERVICE BRAKES | 40 MPG |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 40 MPG |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 MPG |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 MPG |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 MPG |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 MPG |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 MPG |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 MPG |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 MPG |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 MPG |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 MPG |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 MPG |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 MPG |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 MPG |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Lexus ESQuestions
- Which Lexus ES year has the most complaints?
- Of 27 model years of the Lexus ES on record, 2021 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (28, most often about air bags).
- Which Lexus ES year has the most recalls?
- 2021 has the most recall campaigns (1).
- Which Lexus ES years have no complaints or recalls on record?
- 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.