Lexus ES Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus ES model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2017 drew the fewest (2) and the 2007 the most (125).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Engine | — | 40 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 40 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 40 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 40 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
5 | 1 | Back over prevention | — | 25–44 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 40 |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | Tires | — | 25–44 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
9 | 2 | Air bags | — | 25–44 |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 25–44 |
| 2006 | 12 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2020 | 18 | 1 | Air bags | — | 25–44 |
| 2009 | 28 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2021 | 28 | 1 | Air bags | — | 25–44 |
| 2012 | 31 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2013 | 34 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 40 |
| 2019 | 34 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 25–44 |
| 2010 | 41 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
46 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
68 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
125 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus ES years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Lexus ES: 125 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 34 (27%); Structure 31 (25%); Visibility/wiper 13 (10%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,123 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Lexus ES: 68 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 37 (54%); Structure 7 (10%); Electrical system 4 (6%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 67,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Lexus ES: 46 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 27 (59%); Structure 6 (13%); Electrical system 5 (11%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Lexus ES years with the fewest complaints
2017 Lexus ES: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 1 (50%); Exterior lighting 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Lexus ES: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 2 (50%); Electrical system 1 (25%).
Reports mention 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Lexus ES: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (40%); Electrical system 1 (20%); Steering 1 (20%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus ES owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 34 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11,000 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2012 | 31 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 67,632 |
| 2011 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 47,000 |
| 2010 | 41 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2009 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 88,000 |
| 2008 | 68 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 67,000 |
| 2007 | 125 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 80,123 |
| 2006 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lexus ES recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2025 model years; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- OCS Sensors May Short Circuit (2020–2021 model years; 999,901 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V865000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2024 model years; 18,616 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2024; 24V124000)
- Knee Airbags May not Deploy Properly (2019 model year; 564 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2019; 19V288000)
All 4 Lexus ES recall campaigns · Lexus ES problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lexus ES years FAQ
Which Lexus ES year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lexus ES years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2008 and 2011 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lexus ES problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (206 of 523 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus ES have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the Lexus ES. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus ES recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.