2020 LEXUS ES Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

8 complaints

There is an active recall for my vehicle involving the passenger airbag potentially not deploying. This is a huge safety risk and the remedy is still not available. The active recall was first initiated in December of 2023.

May 14, 2025

LEXUS HAS OPEN RECALL ON 2020 LEXUS ES350 SINCE DEC 2023 WITH NO REMEDY PROVIDED. IT IS EXTREMELY NEGLIGENT OF THEM TO HAVE NO SOLUTION WHILE DRIVERS OF THEIR VEHICLES ARE PUTTING THEIR PASSENGERS IN EXTREME RISK OF THEIR SAFETY FOR AIR BAG SENSORS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

May 04, 2025

I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the prolonged recall of the passenger-side airbag in my 2020 Lexus ES350 (VIN #[XXX]). The recall numbers are (23LA03, 23LB03 and 23V865) these were issued in December of 2023, which has been more than a year. Lexus has provided a rental car for all this time, which demonstrates this recall is a safety issue. Despite repeated inquiries, to Lexus and Toyota leadership there has been no resolution or clear timeline for repair. This extended delay in addressing a critical safety issue is unacceptable. Airbags are a vital component of vehicle safety; I will not drive my car with a passenger in the front seat. and the continued inability to resolve this problem places both passengers and drivers at unnecessary risk. As a responsible vehicle owner, I find it deeply troubling that there has been no sense of urgency from Lexus or the involved regulatory bodies to ensure a prompt resolution. I urge the NHTSA to take immediate action in investigating this matter and compelling Lexus to provide a definitive solution to this prolonged recall. It is imperative that vehicle manufacturers are held accountable for addressing serious safety concerns within a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, I request that the NHTSA provide any available information on what steps are being taken to expedite these repairs and ensure consumer safety. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response and any assistance you can provide in resolving this ongoing safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mar 26, 2025

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.

Nov 15, 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.

Oct 21, 2024

+ 3 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

There was a recall listed for my car in 2023, and now it is September 2025 and there is still no remedy available for the recall. Manufacturer Recall Number: 23LB03 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V865 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary: The subject vehicles have Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, that could have been improperly manufactured. Safety Risk: This would not allow the airbag system to properly classify the occupant’s weight, and the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury..

Sep 27, 2025

Under recall for over a year for OCS sensor

Jan 21, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

• Frequent Battery Replacements: My vehicle is now on its third battery within a five-year lifespan. The previous owner replaced the battery two years ago when the vehicle was only two years old, and I recently had to replace it again. • Unacceptable Battery Lifespan: No vehicle should require a new battery every two years under normal conditions. This strongly suggests an underlying defect in the battery, charging system, or electrical components. • Lack of Manufacturer Remedy: Despite dozens, if not hundreds, of complaints from other 2020 Lexus ES 350 owners online describing the exact same issue, Lexus has not issued a recall or service bulletin to investigate or resolve the problem. • Misleading Battery Warranty: Lexus advertises its 84-month battery warranty, but this is misleading. In reality, it only provides a full replacement for the first 24 months, while the remaining coverage period is prorated, meaning owners are still required to pay a portion of the cost after just two years. This is deceptive marketing that fails to reflect the true coverage provided. • Potential Safety Hazard: Frequent battery failures could leave drivers stranded unexpectedly, which poses a serious safety risk in various situations (e.g., extreme weather, remote locations, or high-traffic areas). • Lexus’ Partial Acknowledgment of the Issue: This battery issue appears to be somewhat acknowledged by Lexus because they replaced the original battery with a much larger Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) version than what comes standard in the ES 350. The factory-installed battery is rated at 640 CCA, but the replacement Lexus provides is 770 CCA. After researching, I found that this larger battery is typically used in the Lexus LS model, which is a much larger, more powerful vehicle requiring a bigger battery. Despite this upgrade, the replacement battery still fails within two years, indicating that there is an underlying issue causing premature battery failure beyond just battery capacity.

Feb 22, 2025

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

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. Additionally, the two occupants of the Mazda sustained leg and neck pain but no medical attention was provided. The unknown occupant (s) of the Honda sustained back, feet, neck, and head injuries, and medical attention was provided. The passenger occupant confirmed that the driver had pumped the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. The contact tested the brakes and showed resistance. The contact had an independent mechanic test the vehicle, and the OBD reading showed no results. There was an indication of a low battery. A police report was filed. The police tested the vehicle and noted the brakes were functioning. The contact stated that a witness traveling behind the driver did not see any brake lights illuminate. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Dec 05, 2024

Crash: 1

Injuries: 3

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

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, the contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that the paramedics and the County Sheriff's, however no police report was filed. The contact stated that an incident was recorded. The contact's wife was checked for injuries and released at the scene. No injuries were sustained or reported. The contact's wife was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the Lexus Collision CTR. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that in his opinion the crash occurred due to the malfunction of the pre-collision feature. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 25,379.

Nov 01, 2024

Crash: 1

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4.8/5.0

27 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2020 LEXUS ES have?

The 2020 LEXUS ES currently has 13 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2020 LEXUS ES?

The most common problems reported for the 2020 LEXUS ES are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2020 LEXUS ES problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2020 LEXUS ES comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.