RoadVitals

2025 Lexus ES

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Sep 23, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 30, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 Lexus ES, most frequently naming the driver assistance, fuel system and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Fuel system225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Engine112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V744000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Oct 30, 2025
1,024,407 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 25TB13/25LB06/WRE25View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2026

The latest incidence happened in [XXX] of city [XXX] on XXX. The engine intermittently stalls automatically after I backed up in Reverse for a very short distance. The engine was still running but the car was locked, and red warning lights appear. I had to turn the engine off and restart it to move the car. The same incidence happened several times before. When it happened, there were no persons or cars behind at all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11766393
Incident
Sep 1, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 8, 2026

The Pre-Collision System (PCS) activated twice in the last couple of weeks with absolutely no reason. Both times it activated with transmission in reverse and vehicle in process of backing up. But there was no vehicle or person within the vicinity. The sudden braking startled the driver and passengers giving concern about the viability of the vehicle operating in a safe manner for the rest of the trip. The problem has not been seen or inspected by the dealer or service personnel.

NHTSA ID
11736701
Incident
May 8, 2026
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 3, 2026
Crash reportedFire reported

I was driving with traffic in a 35 mph zone on a moderately busy street. I got the alert to brake and did so immediately. I collided with the Jeep in front of me. The airbags did not deploy. The front hood of the car tented and a fire immediately broke out under the hood. When a policeman arrived he attempted unsuccessfully to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire was eventually extinguished when the fire department arrived. The car was towed away. The insurance adjuster said the car was totaled.

NHTSA ID
11721821
Incident
Feb 5, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Feb 26, 2026

Fuel system and could be made available upon request. Explosion issue. No. Took it to the Lexus dealership where I bought it. No. When I got home I turned off the car. I later returned to my garage and it was filled with the strong odor of gasoline. The car was towed later that night to the dealership where it sat outside for 2 days. Dealership couldn't replicate the problem and gave me the car back. I did not imagine that smell. Even the tow company driver smelled the issue! I am fearful the issue could recur with catastrophic results.

NHTSA ID
11720752
Incident
Feb 20, 2026
Body & structureDriver assistance
Filed Dec 4, 2025
Crash reported

Describe:     •    Rear camera froze     •    Parking assist warning did not activate     •    Auto-brake did not engage     •    Accident occurred before recall update I backed into my Neighbors car which was parked opposite my driveway. Searched and found Lexus safety recall notice 25LA06

NHTSA ID
11703004
Incident
Nov 22, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0047-25

OBSOLETE NOTICE October 14, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0033-26.

L-SB-0033-26

A new head unit software update (version 2300) is available via OTA or USB for 2022 – 2026 model year LX 600, NX 250, NX 350, and NX 350h; 2023 model year LS 500; 2023 – 2024 model year UX 250h; 2023 – 2025 model year ES 250, ES 300h, ES 350, LS 500h, RZ 300e, and RZ 450e; 2023 – 2026 model year RX 350, RX 350h, and RX 500h; 2024 – 2026 model year GX 550, LC 500, LC 500c, LC 500h, LS 500, RX 450h+, TX 350, TX 500h, and TX 550h+; 2025 model year UX 300h; 2025 – 2026 model year LX 700h; 2026 model year IS 350, RZ 350e, RZ 450e, and RZ 550e vehicles equipped with Lexus Multimedia versions older than 2300. This Software Update includes the following improvements: •User Interface •Cloud Navigation •Bug fixes Vehicle operators can perform this update directly by accepting the on-screen notification advising that the software update is available, or by locating the software update from the Settings menu and initiating the available update. The release message below will be displayed to the customer: “This software update includes improvements for User Interface, Cloud Navigation, and Bug fixes.” If it is necessary to perform the software update for a customer, follow the software update procedures in this bulletin. This is a phased rollout, which means that as time progresses, more vehicles will receive the update notification and ability to update the head unit. This timing will vary by location and may not display for every vehicle in one location at the same day/time.

L-SB-0019-26

SUSPENSION

Some 2025 model year ES 250, ES 300h, and ES 350 vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the cushion of rear suspension member when turning or driving on an uneven road

L-SB-0021-25

ENGINE

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-TT-0326-23 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features which they cannot resolve on their own. These resources, in conjunction with the Repair Manual, are for dealership personnel to assist those customers with user issues, user errors, and compatibility issues with other vehicle systems and external applications encountered while operating telematics features.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus ES by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025Viewing510—
2024920—
2023102062.7
2022110039.3
2021281048.1
2020181055.3
2019351053.5
2018500—
2017300—
2016900—
2015600—
2014500—
2013340045.6
2012310052.2
2011460043.8
2010410037.2
2009280040.7
2008680145.8
20071250146.1
2006120029.7
2005600157.1
2004160043.6
2003230054.1
2002270054.2
2001200—
2000600—
1999810—
1998110—
1997210—
1996100—
1995000—
1994000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.