2020 LEXUS ES

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
Good Reliability

This 2020 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the LEXUS brand.

Key Factor:below-average recall rate

📋Why This Matters

Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Focus Area:general reliability
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Expert Analysis

The 2020 ES analysis highlights key safety metrics.

Safety & Reliability Score

91/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-0.65
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 LEXUS ES

Model Year2020
MakeLEXUS
ModelES
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Sep24
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

3 complaints (23% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 13 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟡Medium
4(31%)
🟢Low
9(69%)
Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 20k-40k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 27,690 miles.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 2 of 13 complaints (15% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
2 reports (100%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

AIR BAGS

Official Safety Recalls (1)

Campaign: 23V865000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

13 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 ES.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Crash/Accident23%
Battery15%
Injury8%
Stall8%
Fire8%
Display8%
Other🔶 Medium
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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..

Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS

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.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS

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.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS

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)

Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

• 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.

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Under recall for over a year for OCS sensor

Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS

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.

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

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.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2020 LEXUS ES?

Yes, the 2020 LEXUS ES has 1 recorded recall from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION.

Is the 2020 LEXUS ES safe to drive?

The 2020 LEXUS ES has 1 recall. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2020 LEXUS ES has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local LEXUS dealer.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Air bags

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm air bags recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all air bags recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:23V865000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your LEXUS dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 1 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your LEXUS dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.