Does the 2020 Lexus ES have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Lexus ES, the most recent reported on December 20, 2023 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lexus ES?

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (8 complaints), followed by unknown or other (4).

How many 2020 Lexus ES complaints mention a crash or fire?

3 of 18 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2020 Lexus ES recalls and problems

1 recall and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Lexus ES.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2020 Lexus ES recalls

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · reported December 20, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 999,901 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags8
Unknown or other4
Service brakes3
Forward collision avoidance2
Electrical system1
Engine1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Suspension1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 1, 2026 · Suspension
Not sure if I have the right things checked. Starting about december 2022 i experienced the car "lunging" forward upon putting the car into drive, After having backed out of a parking space. It continued to do this off and on even through today. It seems to do it most after the car has been sitting for a good length…

Jul 8, 2026 · Engine
The front timing chain cover on the engine was leaking at 53k miles. This is a 2GR-FKS engine. We have had the car for 19k miles, and bought it as a Certified Pre-Owned. We're looking at spending over 10% of the purchase price of the car on a repair, after barely having it for three years.

Mar 14, 2026 · Service brakes
I was driving on a freeway. I had my adaptive cruise control turned on. The car in front of me slowed down. My adaptive cruise control did not slow me down so I applied the breaks. The breaks did not work. The breaks did not slow me down or stop me. My pre-collision system did not activate. I collided with the rear…

Mar 6, 2026 · Unknown or other
Car has been stalling, jerking and revving of the engine! Transmission service was done around 100,000 miles, about 30000 miles later, car was taken back to dealer and they were unable diagnose a problem. Issue got worse until it became undriveable. Car towed back to dealership only to be told I need a transmission on…

Feb 11, 2026 · Unknown or other · crash reported
Paring brake has been bucking backwards and forward for most of 2026 and finally it failed facing downhill on Feb 4, 2026 and rolled downhill until it stopped after hitting a sign.

ES model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes
2017	0	3	0
2018	0	5	1
2019	1	34	7
2020	1	18	3
2021	1	28	1
2022	0	11	0
2023	2	10	3

Across all years, the 2007 ES has the most complaints (125). All Lexus ES years →

Questions

Does the 2020 Lexus ES have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Lexus ES, the most recent reported on December 20, 2023 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lexus ES?: Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (8 complaints), followed by unknown or other (4).
How many 2020 Lexus ES complaints mention a crash or fire?: 3 of 18 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 1, 2026.