The 2021 Lexus ES has 1 safety recall and 28 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (25 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints28filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
2021 Lexus ES in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
NHTSA recall 23V865000 · Dec 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2021 Lexus ES 250 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.5%
Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Lexus ES 300h 4 DR FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.5%
Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
ES 300h Hybrid
44mpg combined
City / highway
43 / 44 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,500/year to fuel
ES 250 AWD
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
25
0
0
0
—
Steering
2
1
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
1
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 28, 2026 · 1 injuryUnknown or other On or July 28, 2026, I experienced a safety incident involving the driverâs side power window on my 2021 Lexus ES. The vehicle was running, and I reached through the driverâs side window to retrieve an item being handed to me. Without me pressing or activating the window switch, the driverâs window unexpectedly quickly closed on my arm. It trapped my right forearm. I could not get my arm out for several minutes and attempted to open the window with both the switch and manually using all my force from my upper body to try to free my right arm. The associate also tried to push the window back open but it would not budge. I had also tried opened the driverâs door to see if that would…
Dec 17, 2025Air bags The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES-300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Oct 29, 2025Air bags Still no parts for fix
Dec 20, 2023Air bags The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The contact called the dealer for over a year for parts availability updates and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Dec 15, 2023Air bags Recall on my vehicle has been out for 1.5 years. Dealer states no parts yet & that I should be fine. But I donât feel safe if my passenger air bag wonât deploy in any emergency.
Dec 20, 2023Air bags The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES250. 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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
May 13, 2025Air bags The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Apr 16, 2025Air bags The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. 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 was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
