2020 LEXUS ES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
14
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 LEXUS ES
The 2020 LEXUS ES has received a total of 14 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (8 complaints), Unknown Or Other (3 complaints), and Electrical System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2020 LEXUS ES
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2020 LEXUS ES, potentially affecting up to 1,999,802 vehicles.
Recall 23V865000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 999,901 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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. Letters will continue to be...
View full details →Recall 23V865000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 999,901 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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. Letters will continue to be...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 LEXUS ES
14 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 LEXUS ES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Paring brake has been bucking backwards and forward for most of 2026 and finally it failed facing downhill on Feb 4, 2026 and rolled downhill until it stopped after hitting a sign.
There was a recall listed for my car in 2023, and now it is September 2025 and there is still no remedy available for the recall. Manufacturer Recall Number: 23LB03 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V865 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary: The subject vehicles have Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, that could have been improperly manufactured. Safety Risk: This would not allow the airbag system to properly classify the occupant’s weight, and the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury..
There is an active recall for my vehicle involving the passenger airbag potentially not deploying. This is a huge safety risk and the remedy is still not available. The active recall was first initiated in December of 2023.
LEXUS HAS OPEN RECALL ON 2020 LEXUS ES350 SINCE DEC 2023 WITH NO REMEDY PROVIDED. IT IS EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT OF THEM TO HAVE NO SOLUTION WHILE DRIVERS OF THEIR VEHICLES ARE PUTTING THEIR PASSENGERS IN EXTREME RISK OF THEIR SAFETY FOR AIR BAG SENSORS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the prolonged recall of the passenger-side airbag in my 2020 Lexus ES350 (VIN #[XXX]). The recall numbers are (23LA03, 23LB03 and 23V865) these were issued in December of 2023, which has been more than a year. Lexus has provided a rental car for all this time, which demonstrates this recall is a safety issue. Despite repeated inquiries, to Lexus and Toyota leadership there has been no resolution or clear timeline for repair. This extended delay in addressing a critical safety issue is unacceptable. Airbags are a vital component of vehicle safety; I will not drive my car with a passenger in the front seat. and the continued inability to resolve this problem places both passengers and drivers at unnecessary risk. As a responsible vehicle owner, I find it deeply troubling that there has been no sense of urgency from Lexus or the involved regulatory bodies to ensure a prompt resolution. I urge the NHTSA to take immediate action in investigating this matter and compelling Lexus to provide a definitive solution to this prolonged recall. It is imperative that vehicle manufacturers are held accountable for addressing serious safety concerns within a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, I request that the NHTSA provide any available information on what steps are being taken to expedite these repairs and ensure consumer safety. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response and any assistance you can provide in resolving this ongoing safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Safety Rating for the 2020 LEXUS ES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2020 LEXUS ES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 LEXUS ES
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2020 LEXUS ES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
24LE02 — ENGINE
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Lexus’ New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 48 months or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Lexus care about the customers’ ownership experience. Lexus is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 LEXUS ES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the LEXUS ES
- 2015 LEXUS ES — 7 complaints
- 2016 LEXUS ES — 9 complaints
- 2017 LEXUS ES — 2 complaints
- 2018 LEXUS ES — 8 complaints
- 2019 LEXUS ES — 50 complaints
- 2020 LEXUS ES (current)
- 2021 LEXUS ES — 28 complaints
- 2022 LEXUS ES — 8 complaints
- 2023 LEXUS ES — 9 complaints
- 2024 LEXUS ES — 8 complaints
- 2025 LEXUS ES — 3 complaints
Other LEXUS Models
- LEXUS ES350 — 1,531 total complaints
- LEXUS RX — 1,154 total complaints
- LEXUS RX350 — 1,065 total complaints
- LEXUS IS 250 — 938 total complaints
- LEXUS ES300 — 862 total complaints
- LEXUS RX300 — 849 total complaints
- LEXUS IS — 765 total complaints
- LEXUS RX330 — 659 total complaints