2020 Lexus Es Safety Report

The 2020 Lexus ES presents a mixed safety picture, primarily due to a critical, unresolved airbag recall. While the vehicle has a relatively low total of 16 NHTSA complaints, a significant portion (8 complaints, or 50%) are related to the AIR BAGS system, specifically concerning an occupant classification sensor issue. This issue is directly linked to NHTSA Recall Number 23V865, which states that an air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. Multiple complaints highlight the manufacturer's failure to provide a remedy for this recall for an extended period, with some owners reporting over a year without a solution, raising serious safety concerns for passengers. Beyond the airbag issue, other complaints include instances of SERVICE BRAKES and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE system failures, with 1 complaint each. One complaint details a complete brake failure at freeway speeds, and another describes the adaptive cruise control failing to slow down, leading to a collision. There are also reports of the vehicle stalling, jerking, and engine revving, though these are less frequent. The vehicle has been involved in 3 reported crashes and 4 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths, according to the complaint data. NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2020 Lexus ES are not available (N/A) for Overall, Frontal, Side, or Rollover categories, which limits a comprehensive assessment of its crashworthiness based on official government tests. However, the severe nature of the unresolved airbag recall, which directly impacts occupant protection in a crash, is a major concern. The lack of a timely remedy for a defect that could prevent airbag deployment is a critical safety oversight that potential buyers should be aware of. In summary, while the overall complaint volume is low, the prevalence and severity of the unresolved airbag recall are paramount. The 2020 Lexus ES faces a significant safety challenge due to the manufacturer's delay in providing a fix for a defect that could compromise passenger safety during a collision. Other reported issues, though less frequent, include critical failures in braking and collision avoidance systems.

Our recommendation: Given the critical, unresolved airbag recall (23V865) and reports of brake/collision avoidance failures, exercise extreme caution; ensure the airbag recall has a confirmed remedy before purchase, and thoroughly inspect brake system functionality.