2020 Lexus ES
Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2020
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2020: 18 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 27 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 60 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 125 |
| 2008 | 68 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2011 | 46 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Known problem areas
Only 18 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Air bags
8 of 18 total reports mention: air bags.
Service brakes
3 of 18 total reports mention: service brakes.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-05
Not sure if I have the right things checked. Starting about december 2022 i experienced the car "lunging" forward upon putting the car into drive, After having backed out of a parking space. It continued to do this off and on even through today.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-01
Also filed under Suspension and fuel/propulsion system
Forward collision avoidance
3 of 18 total reports mention: forward collision avoidance, most commonly citing warnings and adaptive cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-01
Suspension
1 of 18 total reports mentions: suspension.
Fuel/propulsion system
1 of 18 total reports mentions: fuel/propulsion system.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2024-10-31Air bags23V865000 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...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2020 Lexus ES — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 8 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Forward collision avoidance: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 23V865000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2020 Lexus ES reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lexus ES?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Lexus ES have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.