Lexus

ES (XV70)

2019-2025 · Midsize Sedan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.8)
124 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
1 Fire Reports
22 Crash Reports
Includes data from: ESES 250ES 300HES 350
View all 5 generations of the Lexus ES → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

2GR-FKS

3.5L 6-cyl / 301 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.8)
72 complaints 11.8 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
32
fuel system
13
other
7
electrical
6
brakes
6

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (32 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (13 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (6 complaints)

A25A-FXS, 3NM

2.5L 4-cyl / 176 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.2)
49 complaints 5.7 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
28
brakes
7
electrical
5
fuel system
5
interior
3

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (28 complaints)
Brakes Issues (7 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Lexus ES Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (4.9)
3 complaints 1.5 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
exterior
1
interior
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)
Interior Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Lexus ES regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (60 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Fuel System Issues (13 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Electrical System Issues (11 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (7 complaints)
brakes critical

Recalls (4)

25V744000Oct 29, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

24V124000Feb 20, 2024serious
Back Over Prevention

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic control unit (ECU) software, the rearview camera image may not immediately display within a couple of seconds after the shifter is placed into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

23V865000Dec 19, 2023serious
Air Bags

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.

19V288000Oct 3, 2019serious
Air Bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus ES vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a driver knee air bag assembly mounted to the lower instrument panel (IP) that may have been improperly installed, possibly affecting the deployment of the knee air bag in the event of a crash.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2019-2025 Lexus ES problems?

The 2019-2025 Lexus ES has accumulated 124 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Fuel System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Lexus ES engine is most reliable?

The 2019-2025 Lexus ES was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2019-2025 Lexus ES a good used car?

The 2019-2025 Lexus ES can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 124 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2025 Lexus ES have?

The 2019-2025 Lexus ES has 124 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2019-2025 Lexus ES?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2019-2025 Lexus ES vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Lexus ES?

Before buying a used Lexus ES, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Fuel System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the ES?

The 2025 Lexus ES received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 124 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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