Is the 2020 Lexus ES350 reliable?

The 2020 Lexus ES350 has 10 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Lexus ES350?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (2 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (2 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Lexus ES350?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Lexus dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Lexus ES350?

The 2020 Lexus ES350 gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Lexus ES350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Lexus ES350 is approximately $2,143/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Lexus ES350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Lexus ES350 has 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is air bags problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving on freeway 5 south, in a carpool lane, all of sudden another car slammed to my rear door on the right side, caused my car to spin out of control, went accross the freeway and slammed to the left rear wheels of the incoming 18 wheelers big rig, but none of the airbags inside the brand. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 8 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

20%

• I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY 5 SOUTH, IN A CARPOOL LANE, ALL OF SUDDEN ANOTHER CAR SLAMMED TO MY REAR DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, WENT ACCROSS THE FREEWAY AND SLAMMED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEELS OF THE INCOMING 18 WHEELERS BIG RIG, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INSIDE THE BRAND
• The safety features on my Lexus ES 350 2020 malfunctioned on 10/16/2022 •Cruise control with radar functionality to speed up, slow down or stop, based upon my speed setting did not work at that moment. It did work my entire trip, which was a drive to Tallahassee from our residence on Friday and our

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY 5 SOUTH, IN A CARPOOL LANE, ALL OF SUDDEN ANOTHER CAR SLAMMED TO MY REAR DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, WENT ACCROSS THE FREEWAY AND SLAMMED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEELS OF THE INCOMING 18 WHEELERS BIG RIG, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INSIDE THE BRAND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP04/11/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Lexus ES350

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Lexus ES350

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus ES350 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2020 ES350, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 10 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY 5 SOUTH, IN A CARPOOL LANE, ALL OF SUDDEN ANOTHER CAR SLAMMED TO MY REAR DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, WENT ACCROSS THE FREEWAY AND SLAMMED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEELS OF THE INCOMING 18 WHEELERS BIG RIG, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INSIDE THE BRAND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The DCM not working.. i did update and rest the DCM my Dealership and still not working
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: I always use cruise control whenever i drive because this would always makes me put on a safety automatic brake whenever i get close to the car next to me. But it seems like my automatic emergency brake is defective which Lexus Dealership denies on the inspection when i complain. A lot of times the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The DCM not working.. i did update and rest the DCM my Dealership and still not working
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)