RoadVitals

2020 Lexus ES350

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 Oct 21, 2022
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 Nov 4, 2020
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
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Lexus ES350, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 102 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

  • Airbags225.0%
  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Electrical225.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Seat belts112.5%

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Nov 4, 2020
1,525,742 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TA02, 20LA01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

AirbagsDriver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Oct 21, 2022
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The safety features on my Lexus ES 350 2020 malfunctioned on 10/16/2022 •Cruise control with radar functionality to speed up, slow down or stop, based upon my speed setting did not work at that moment. It did work my entire trip, which was a drive to Tallahassee from our residence on Friday and our return trip home on Sunday, until the accident occurred just north of the Ft. Pierce exit. •The brake sensor, which causes your vehicle to stop with obstructions near the vehicle did not function. •Airbags did not deploy •Seatbelts did not “lock” at impact. When I realized that the safety features (radar and brake sensor) were not working, I slammed on the brakes, but nothing happened.

NHTSA ID
11490257
Incident
Oct 16, 2022
Electrical
Filed Sep 1, 2022
Crash reported

On Friday, June 03, 2022 as I was leaving the dealership in the 2020 Lexus ES 350 loaner vehicle, I put the car in reverse to back away from the wall, and then put the car from reverse into drive that resulted in it lurching forward momentarily. I did not hear the engine revving, probably because I wasn’t paying attention, but my partner who was seated next to me in the driver’s seat said he heard it. He suspected that the dealership loaned us the vehicle that had a similar issue that caused it to move forward. When I saw the definition of sudden unintended acceleration, I felt that it could be that. I didn’t think it was me. I drove the Lexus home, which was across the street from the dealership and no one drove it during the next few days. On Tuesday, June 07, 2022, we were scheduled for a medical appointment 80 miles away. My partner cancelled it but I decided to take the Lexus out to the store and there was no incident so the appointment was rescheduled for June 09. On Thursday, June 09, 2022 at about 11:30AM PDT, I brought the 2020 Lexus ES 350 loaner vehicle to a stop using the brake pedal. The car was about 12 feet from a landscaped island that separated two parking areas. I was looking to find a parking space that had tree shade. Without moving my foot off the brake, the engine began revving at the same time the Lexus sped forward on its own. I was fully cognizant of what I was doing and what was happening specifically because of what had occurred the Friday before. At the time that the vehicle moved forward, I was doing nothing but pressing my foot on the break. There was nothing obstructing the pedals on the floor as we had made sure of that during the preparation for the trip. The rate of speed that the vehicle was going when it jumped the curb of a landscaped island no more that 3 or 4 feet in diameter is something I would have never normally been able to achieve. The heavy metal pole on the other side bent when it hit. The front wheel

NHTSA ID
11482490
Incident
Jun 9, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 6, 2022

I always use cruise control whenever i drive because this would always makes me put on a safety automatic brake whenever i get close to the car next to me. But it seems like my automatic emergency brake is defective which Lexus Dealership denies on the inspection when i complain. A lot of times the automatic emergency brake does not work when i use it even when im backing up it suppose to stop but a lot of times im almost at thr brink of hitting something so i have to manually brake. I also texted this to my Lexus Assistant Manager in Lexus Glendale California branch and had it inspected by them but they’ve sit my car in the dealership and at the end of the day told me that its normal. Is it normal to hit a car next to you when youre expecting your car to stop automatically and it does not stop? Why do i have this feature and it doesnt work? I hope you can help me becaus ethis car is very expensive and yet it does not guarantee safety!

NHTSA ID
11459820
Incident
Sep 6, 2021
Electrical
Filed Oct 31, 2021

The DCM not working.. i did update and rest the DCM my Dealership and still not working

NHTSA ID
11438783
Incident
Oct 31, 2021
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY 5 SOUTH, IN A CARPOOL LANE, ALL OF SUDDEN ANOTHER CAR SLAMMED TO MY REAR DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, WENT ACCROSS THE FREEWAY AND SLAMMED TO THE LEFT REAR WHEELS OF THE INCOMING 18 WHEELERS BIG RIG, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INSIDE THE BRAND NEW 2020 LEXUS ES 350 DEPLOYED TO PROTECT ACCUPANTS.

NHTSA ID
11373985
Incident
Nov 2, 2020

Manufacturer communications

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

LSB000723

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

TSB: Some 2020 ? 2022 model year vehicles equipped with 17CY+ Panasonic Audio (versions less than 1226) and Navigation (versions less than 1225 or 1245 with 20 Teammate) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Navigation reset while entering a destination. ?Voice command does not recognize Starbucks. ??Unable to establish audio connection? message, and Alexa is unable to resume after Android AutoTM interruption. ?Soft buttons grayed Out during panoramic view monitor transition. ?HVAC fan speed displayed incorrectly. ?Volume cannot be adjusted with the rear seat remote control. ?Multimedia system reboots when iPhone® is connected via USB. ?Energy flow information is missing on energy monitor screen. ?Clearance sonar indication on backup camera screen is missing. ?Audio from USB devices intermittently works. ?iPhone® ringer continues after answering call. ?Audio titles not displayed. ?Toyota apps screen menu not displayed. Some 2020 ? 2021 model year vehicles equipped with 17CY+ Panasonic Navigation (version less than 1150) and Audio (version less than 1163) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Poor map screen touch operation. ?Navigation system reset. ?Climate temperature control difficult to operate. ??Waiting for the Beep? message displayed, voice recognition does not start when pressing the push to talk button. ?Blower motor speed incorrectly displayed. ?White CarPlay® screen when connecting iPhone12®. ?Navigation sub-screen blank while playing a CD. ?Inoperative rear seat entertainment track controls. ?Abnormal energy flow screen appearance. ?Incorrect FM or SiriusXM® genre Information. A software update is now available to address these conditions. Follow the Software Update Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.

LSB004319

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 14, 2023: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0007-23

23LE01

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2013-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20LA01 or Special Service Campaign 21LC01. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.

LSB000523

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TSB: Some 2013 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171 and/or P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/Bank 2) ?DTC P0087 Fuel Rail / System Pressure ? Too Low Techstream data list analysis may reveal positive fuel trims including a no pressure condition verified by a manual fuel pressure gauge. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.

L-SB-0043-20 Obs

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE December 08, 2022: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0057-22

L-SB-0057-22

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

TSB: Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform? 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is used with applicable vehicles to deliver the update, however, the process for generating license keys differs from previous generations. Before attempting to perform a map update, the expiration date of the dynamic subscription (stored in the head unit), must be checked. If the expiration date has not passed, a license key may be generated without the purchase of an activation card number (ACN). Updating the map without the use of an ACN is considered an Embedded Navigation Update (refer to pg. 10) and performing this update does not extend the subscription to dynamic map services. If the subscription period has expired, or is expiring within the next 90 days, it should be recommended to the customer to purchase an ACN. Utilizing an ACN, will initiate the Dynamic Navigation Update (refer to pg. 4). This Dynamic Navigation Update will perform the embedded navigation update and provide dynamic map services for a period of two years from the date that the Dynamic Navigation Update is performed. ACNs are provided in a pamphlet available through the normal parts ordering system

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 ES350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000
2023100
2022200
2021500
2020Viewing510
2019520
2018520
2017221051.6
2016211036.1
2015161036.3
2014281043.9
2013231044.4
2012893157.4
20111533158.0
20101375159.1
20091455262.6
20082555262.7
20075395464.2

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.