The most-reported ES run is 58ADZ1B14MU (2021 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 49% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns for ES model years 1992–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lexus ES has 63 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 15% of every ES complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58ADZ1B14MU•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 58ADZ1B13LU•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 58ADZ1B14LU•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 58ADZ1B1XLU•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 58AD11D15MU•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 58AFZ1B16MU•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 58ABK1GG1JU•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 58AD11D11MU•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| JTHBW1GG7G2•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JTHBK1GG3G2•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| JT8BF22G6V0•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| JTHBK1GG7E2•••••• | 2014 | — | — |
Each of the other 51 ES runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 370 ES VINs so far, most often 2025, 2013, 2024 builds; 8 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lexus ES the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 2018 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 2014 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 18 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2016 | 9 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 49% of everything Lexus ES owners report: Air Bags, 37 of 74 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Suspension | 1 | — | |
| Engine | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 24 recall campaigns on the Lexus ES; the 6 below cover build years 1994 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V741000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2007–2012 |
| 16V340000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2007–2011 |
| 99V307000 | Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar | 1994–1998 |
| 17V006000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2007–2012 |
| 09V388000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 2007–2010 |
| 25V744000 | Back Over Prevention:display Function | 2023–2025 |
19V741000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2007: 12 years on the road before the recall.
The ES against its rivals
The ES draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the Infiniti Q50 2.6, the Toyota Avalon 6.2 and the Volkswagen Passat 3.2. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES | 74 | 63 | 12.2% | |
| Infiniti Q50 | 466 | 180 | 7.5% | |
| Toyota Avalon | 2,945 | 475 | 14.7% | |
| Volkswagen Passat | 6,507 | 2,023 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 74 reports on the Lexus ES, 12.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Lexus ES | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 74 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 9 (12.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 110% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lexus ES share of that is 74 complaints over 63 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Lexus ES VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 74 NHTSA complaints from 63 ES runs and 24 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which ES production run has the most complaints?
58ADZ1B14MU, a 2021 build, with 3 complaints. The typical ES run has 1.2.
Which ES years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 2014 lightest at 1.
Does the ES get more complaints than the Infiniti Q50?
No: 1.2 complaints per production run for the ES against 2.6 for the Infiniti Q50.
How many ES complaints involve a crash?
12.2% of 74 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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