Lexus ES years to avoid and best years
Newer Lexus ES years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2021 has the most complaints per year, at 0 (28 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2017 at 0 (from 2 complaints), 2014 at 0 (from 4 complaints), and 2015 at 0 (from 5 complaints). The Lexus ES 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2021 Lexus ES, 25 of 28 complaints name Air bags.
Data as of .
2017
2014
2015
2025–26
Lexus ES reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Lexus ES. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 94 |
| 2025 Too early | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 30.5 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 30.8 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 30.8 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 30.8 |
| 2021 → Most | 0 | 28 | 1 | Air bags | 30.8 |
| 2020 → | 0 | 18 | 1 | Air bags | 31.7 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 31.7 |
| 2018 → | 0 | 5 | 0 | Air bags, Seat belts | 32 |
| 2017 Fewest | 0 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 32 |
| 2016 → | 0 | 9 | 0 | Service brakes | 32 |
| 2015 → Fewest | 0 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | 32 |
| 2014 Fewest | 0 | 4 | 0 | Service brakes | 32 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 32 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 5W-30 · 6.4 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/55R17
Known issues for this generation
Recall 19V-741 covers certain 2007-2012 ES 350 vehicles (among many Toyota, Scion, and Lexus models) that had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. Those inflators may explode from propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, and an explosion may send sharp metal fragments at the occupants; depending on the model, dealers replace the front driver inflator, the front passenger inflator, the air bag assembly, or the passenger air bag sub-assembly and inflator. Recall 17V-006 covers certain 2012 ES 350 vehicles sold or ever registered in Zone A states and territories, along with 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB and Lexus GX 460, IS, IS-F and LFA vehicles, for passenger frontal air bag inflators that may rupture; dealers replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, depending on the model.
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-20 · 6.4 qt capacity
- Tire size
- P215/55R17, P225/45R18
Known issues for this generation
Recall 20V-012 covers certain 2018 ES 350 vehicles, added when Toyota expanded the campaign on March 4, 2020, among many other Toyota and Lexus models. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, and if it does the engine can stall while driving; dealers replace the fuel pump free of charge. Recall 20V-682, an expansion of 20V-012, also covers certain 2018 ES 350 vehicles for the same failure mode; there the replacement pump assembly is an improved one.
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-20 (ES 350); 0W-16 (ES 250) · 5.7 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/55R17, 235/45R18, 235/40R19
Known issues for this generation
Recall 19V-288 covers certain 2019 ES vehicles whose driver knee air bag assembly may have been improperly installed, which can affect knee air bag deployment in a crash; dealers inspect and replace the assembly if necessary. Recall 20V-012 and its expansion 20V-682 cover certain 2019-2020 ES 350 vehicles, among many other Toyota and Lexus models, where the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail and stall the engine while driving; dealers replace the fuel pump, with 20V-682 specifying an improved assembly. Recall 23V-865 covers certain 2020-2021 ES 350 and ES 250 and 2020-2022 ES 300h vehicles (among many other Toyota and Lexus models) where a short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying; dealers inspect and replace the sensor as necessary. Recall 24V-124 covers certain 2023-2024 ES 250, ES 300h, and ES 350 vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor, along with 2023 Toyota Mirai and Lexus LS 500 and LS 500h and 2024 Lexus LC 500 and LC 500h vehicles, where incorrect parking-assist ECU programming can keep the rearview camera image from displaying within a couple of seconds of shifting into reverse; dealers update that software.
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Tire size
- 215/55R17, 235/40R19, 235/45R18 (trim-dependent)
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus ES years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2017 at 0 (from 2 complaints), 2014 at 0 (from 4 complaints), and 2015 at 0 (from 5 complaints).
Which Lexus ES year has the most owner complaints?
2021 has the most complaints per year, at 0 (28 complaints). On the 2021 Lexus ES, 25 of 28 complaints name Air bags.
How do Lexus ES owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Lexus ES years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones.
Which Lexus ES years are too early to compare?
The Lexus ES 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What generation is the 2020 Lexus ES?
7th generation (2019-2025).
What oil does a 7th-generation Lexus ES take?
0W-20 for ES 350 (~5.7 qt with filter); 0W-16 for ES 250 (~4.8 qt). Confirm your engine in the owner’s manual.
Is the 2026 Lexus ES a new generation?
Yes. Lexus launched the eighth-generation ES for 2026 with hybrid and battery-electric models in the U.S.