2021 Lexus Es Safety Report

2021 Lexus ES faces critical unaddressed airbag recall, parts unavailable for over a year.

27Complaints
1Recalls
50/100Reliability Score
1Crash Reports
Most reported components: Air Bags (25)Steering,Service Brakes (1)Steering (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Lexus Es

The 2021 Lexus ES has a relatively low number of NHTSA complaints, with only 27 total. However, a significant concern arises from the single recall issued for the vehicle, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000, pertaining to the AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. This recall affects the passenger front airbag, which may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. A critical issue highlighted by the complaint data is the widespread frustration among owners regarding the unavailability of parts for this airbag recall, with many reporting delays exceeding a year. This indicates a substantial safety risk that remains unaddressed for a considerable portion of affected vehicles. Despite the low overall complaint count, 25 out of 27 complaints (92.6%) are directly related to the AIR BAGS component, specifically concerning the unfulfilled recall. This overwhelming concentration on a single, critical safety system underscores a major safety deficiency. Other complaints are minimal, with one each for STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES and STEERING, suggesting these are isolated incidents rather than systemic issues. The vehicle has no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths in the NHTSA complaint database, which is positive, but the unaddressed airbag recall presents a latent risk. NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2021 Lexus ES are not available (N/A) for Overall, Frontal, Side, or Rollover categories. This lack of official crash test data makes it difficult to fully assess the vehicle's passive safety performance beyond the known airbag defect. The primary safety concern for this model is the unresolved airbag recall, which directly impacts occupant protection in the event of a collision. Until this recall is remedied, the vehicle carries a significant, known safety risk.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Lexus Es receives a reliability score of 50 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2021 Lexus Es

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Lexus Es:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Passenger Airbag Recall (Unremedied)
NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 for AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. The passenger front airbag may not deploy, increasing injury risk. Owners report prolonged unavailability of repair parts.		 High Common N/A miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Lexus Es:

Air Bags 92% of complaints

Overwhelming number of complaints (25 out of 27) are related to the unaddressed recall for the passenger airbag, with owners unable to get the repair due to parts unavailability.

Steering 3% of complaints

One complaint noted a power steering malfunction with a red steering wheel sign, causing the car to not turn.

Service Brakes 3% of complaints

One complaint mentioned a general service brakes issue, though details are limited.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Lexus Es

Is the 2021 Lexus ES safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Lexus ES has a critical safety concern due to an unaddressed recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000) for the passenger airbag, which may not deploy in a crash. Many owners report that repair parts have been unavailable for over a year, leaving this significant safety defect unresolved. While overall complaints are low (27 total), the vast majority (25) are about this specific airbag issue. NHTSA crash test ratings are not available for this model year.

What are common problems for the 2021 Lexus ES?

The most reported issue for the 2021 Lexus ES, accounting for 92.6% of all complaints, is the unfulfilled recall concerning the passenger airbag sensor (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000). Owners frequently complain about the prolonged unavailability of parts to fix this critical safety defect. Other problems, such as steering malfunctions and service brake issues, are rare, with only one complaint each.

What is the recall history for the 2021 Lexus ES?

The 2021 Lexus ES has one recall: NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000, issued by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing for certain 2020-2021 vehicles, including the Lexus ES350. This recall addresses a defect in the occupant classification sensor for the passenger airbag, which may prevent the airbag from deploying during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. A significant number of complaints indicate that the remedy parts for this recall have been unavailable for an extended period.

How does the 2021 Lexus ES perform in crash tests?

NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2021 Lexus ES are not available (N/A) for Overall, Frontal, Side, or Rollover categories. Therefore, there is no official government crash test performance data to assess its safety in collisions.

Should I be concerned about the airbag recall on the 2021 Lexus ES?

Yes, you should be highly concerned about the airbag recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000) on the 2021 Lexus ES. This recall indicates that the passenger front airbag may not deploy in a crash, which is a critical safety defect that significantly increases the risk of injury. The fact that many owners have reported parts unavailability for over a year means this serious safety issue remains unaddressed for affected vehicles.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the critical, unaddressed airbag recall with prolonged parts unavailability, exercise extreme caution. Verify if the recall (NHTSA 23V865000) has been remedied before considering purchase, as this is a significant safety risk.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Lexus Es

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Lexus Es. The data includes 27 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.