2020 Lexus ES: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
27,690 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 18 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
Air Bags: 8; Unknown Or Other: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2024: 7; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11613630 · 2024-09-09 (September 9, 2024)
This safety recall was identified 12/20/23. Passenger Airbag May Not Deploy seems pretty serious to me. Should it really take 9 months to remedy a defect like this? Sure doesn't feel like the manufacturer is remedying this safety recall in a timely manner.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11613630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11616875 · 2024-09-27 (September 27, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES350. 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 unavailable.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11616875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11617524 · 2024-10-01 (October 1, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES350. 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11617524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11621021 · 2024-10-21 (October 21, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES350. 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11623187 · 2024-11-01 (November 1, 2024)
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. The contact stated that the vehicle made a hard right turn. The contact stated that his wife tried everything to stop the vehicle, however the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the vehicle traveled off the roadway, onto a concrete curve, down into a drainage area, and crashed into a tree. In addition, th…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,379 miles reported. Look up ODI 11623187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11625472 · 2024-11-15 (November 15, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus ES 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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 unavailable.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11628965 · 2024-12-05 (December 5, 2024)
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. The driver moved the gear shifter, attempting to slow down the vehicle. The driver crashed into a 2016 Mazda 3, which crashed into a 2017 Honda Civic. There was an unknown brake indicator light displayed. The passenger occupant sustained extreme chest and neck pain. The driver and passenger were provided medical attention.…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11628965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11637338 · 2025-01-21 (January 21, 2025)
Under recall for over a year for OCS sensor
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11637338 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V865000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2023-12-20 (December 20, 2023)
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.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗