Model year
2021 Lexus ES
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 28 complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 7 complaints under ES350 and ES HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (25), STEERING (2), SERVICE BRAKES (1). NHTSA rated 3 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 25–44 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,500–$2,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 6 complaints
- 2001 2 complaints
- 2002 27 complaints
- 2003 23 complaints
- 2004 16 complaints
- 2005 58 complaints
- 2006 12 complaints
- 2007 125 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 28 complaints
- 2010 41 complaints
- 2011 46 complaints
- 2012 31 complaints
- 2013 34 complaints
- 2014 4 complaints
- 2015 5 complaints
- 2016 9 complaints
- 2017 3 complaints
- 2018 5 complaints
- 2019 34 complaints
- 2020 18 complaints
- 2021 28 complaints
- 2022 11 complaints
- 2023 10 complaints
- 2024 9 complaints
- 2025 5 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
23V865000 · Dec 20, 2023
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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…
Complaints
28 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ES350 | 0 | 5 |
| ES HYBRID | 1 | 2 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 4 DR AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | NHTSA photo |
| 300h 4 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | — |
| 350 4 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 350 · 3.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 32 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| ES 350 F Sport · 3.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| ES 300h · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 43 | 44 | 44 | — | — | $1,500 |
| ES 250 AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Lexus ES at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.