2020 Lexus ES

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2020 Lexus ES has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: this safety recall was identified 12/20/23. passenger airbag may not deploy seems pretty serious to me. should it really take 9 months to remedy a defect like this? sure doesn't feel like the manufacturer is remedying this safety recall in a timely manner..

3 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

8 complaints

44%

• This safety recall was identified 12/20/23. Passenger Airbag May Not Deploy seems pretty serious to me. Should it really take 9 months to remedy a defect like this? Sure doesn't feel like the manufacturer is remedying this safety recall in a timely manner.
• The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer
• The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“This safety recall was identified 12/20/23. Passenger Airbag May Not Deploy seems pretty serious to me. Should it really take 9 months to remedy a defect like this? Sure doesn't feel like the manufacturer is remedying this safety recall in a timely manner.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

22%

• Under recall for over a year for OCS sensor
• 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
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“Under recall for over a year for OCS sensor”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

2 complaints

11%

• The contact owned a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently pulled to the right. The contact's wife had no control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the vehicle made a hard right turn. The contact sta
• I was driving on a freeway. I had my adaptive cruise control turned on. The car in front of me slowed down. My adaptive cruise control did not slow me down so I applied the breaks. The breaks did not work. The breaks did not slow me down or stop me. My pre-collision system did not activate. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“The contact owned a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently pulled to the right. The contact's wife had no control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the vehicle made a hard right turn. The contact sta”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints

11%

• The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while his father was driving at 35-37 MPH down a hill, he applied the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond. The contact continued to pump the brake pedal. The driver moved the gear shifter, attempting to slow down the vehicle. Th
• I was driving on a freeway. I had my adaptive cruise control turned on. The car in front of me slowed down. My adaptive cruise control did not slow me down so I applied the breaks. The breaks did not work. The breaks did not slow me down or stop me. My pre-collision system did not activate. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while his father was driving at 35-37 MPH down a hill, he applied the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond. The contact continued to pump the brake pedal. The driver moved the gear shifter, attempting to slow down the vehicle. Th”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints

• • Frequent Battery Replacements: My vehicle is now on its third battery within a five-year lifespan. The previous owner replaced the battery two years ago when the vehicle was only two years old, and I recently had to replace it again. • Unacceptable Battery Lifespan: No vehicle should require a new

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“• Frequent Battery Replacements: My vehicle is now on its third battery within a five-year lifespan. The previous owner replaced the battery two years ago when the vehicle was only two years old, and I recently had to replace it again. • Unacceptable Battery Lifespan: No vehicle should require a new”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: This safety recall was identified 12/20/23. Passenger Airbag May Not Deploy seems pretty serious to me. Should it really take 9 months to remedy a defect like this? Sure doesn't feel like the manufacturer is remedying this safety recall in a timely manner.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Under recall for over a year for OCS sensor
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owned a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently pulled to the right. The contact's wife had no control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the vehicle made a hard right turn. The contact sta
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while his father was driving at 35-37 MPH down a hill, he applied the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond. The contact continued to pump the brake pedal. The driver moved the gear shifter, attempting to slow down the vehicle. Th
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)