2021 Lexus ES: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 28 complaints (89.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
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 | 25 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Air Bags: 25; Steering: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 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 (1). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2023: 1; 2024: 12; 2025: 14; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 11537243 · 2023-08-08 (August 8, 2023)
Power steering malfunction with red steering wheel sign Car doesnot turn either side Power steering low Visit your dealer
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11537243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11571847 · 2024-02-14 (February 14, 2024)
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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11571847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11575480 · 2024-03-05 (March 5, 2024)
I received a letter that my vehicle is subject to a recall for "passenger airbag may not deploy". I contacted my dealer and they said there is not a remedy at they do not know when the remedy will be available. Possibly not until 3rd quarter of 2024. I asked what if the airbag is needed to deploy while they figure out a remedy, they stated. "We HOPE this does not happen". Offering me nothing but hope that no one dies from their error. It is nice to know that Lexus offers HOPE instead of safety for me and my family.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11575480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585513 · 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES. While the contact's wife was driving at unknown speeds, the messages stating "vehicle notification system, a malfunction in the vehicle notification system has been detected, contact dealer", and "notification system malfunction visit your dealer" were displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel automatically maneuvered to the left side of the lane and the contact's wife avoided a crash, however, the failure recurred and the contact's wife crashed into the rear bumper of a vehicle with the front bumpe…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11585513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11607992 · 2024-08-12 (August 12, 2024)
I called into my local dealer to schedule an appointment to have this issue resolved and was told there has been no remedy for this situation as of right now. I have a 12 year old daughter and I am now concerned about her safety.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11607992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609052 · 2024-08-16 (August 16, 2024)
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 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11609052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11614921 · 2024-09-16 (September 16, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES300H. 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11614921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11619395 · 2024-10-11 (October 11, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bag) 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11619395 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 ↗