Verdict
2021 Lexus ES: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Lexus ES — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 34 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 73% of 2021 sedans. Air Bags leads the reports (74%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
34
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
27
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 73% of 2021 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (74% of 34 reports), followed by steering (6%).
Share of all 34 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11705688, ODI 11696345, ODI 11690558, ODI 11670339, ODI 11667413.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air Bags · 23V865000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300h | 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 43 | 44 | 44 |
| ES 250 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 | 34 | 28 |
| ES 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 32 | 26 |
| ES 350 F Sport | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 31 | 25 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Lexus ES: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Lexus ES?
Owners filed 34 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Lexus ES — more complaints than 73% of comparable 2021 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Lexus ES?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (74% of complaints) and steering (6%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus ES have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2021 Lexus ES, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus ES get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Lexus ES between 25 and 44 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.