Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lexus ES Reliability by Year
The Lexus ES rates excellent for reliability across 2018 to 2025. Check stalling, airbag and automatic braking complaints before buying a used one.
Lexus ES Reliability Overview
Owner complaints and federal recall records put this midsize sedan well above average among sedans, with an excellent standing overall. The 2022 model year is the pick, while 2019 drew the most complaints, led by stalling and weak throttle response. Owners also report airbags that did not deploy in crashes, so read those reports before you buy.
Current generation: 7th gen (2019–2023), facelifted 2021.
Best & Worst Lexus ES Years
Best Lexus ES Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2022 has no recalls on file and 16 owner complaints, mostly about tires and wheels rather than stalling or engine trouble. The 2019 has 33 complaints and three recalls, and the 2024 has four recalls. The 2022 has also been on the road long enough to build a fair record.
Lexus ES Years to Avoid
No Lexus ES years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 78 and 88 across 8 scored model years.
Lexus ES Reliability Score Trend
Lexus ES reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 83/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 88/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 88/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 83/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2025 Lexus ES
1 recalls · 4 complaints
Lighter record than 2024, with a middle-of-the-pack standing among ES years and a single recall for back over prevention.
2024 Lexus ES
4 recalls · 9 complaints
Rates excellent and above other 2024 sedans, but ranks among the weaker ES years, with blind spot light and airbag cover complaints.
2023 Lexus ES
4 recalls · 18 complaints
Final year of the sixth generation, rated excellent like its neighbors, with a brake complaint tied to a parking-lot crash and two back over prevention recalls.
2022 Lexus ES
0 recalls · 16 complaints
Excellent standing with no recalls, though owners report early tire wear and unexpected automatic braking, while the 2023 model has four recalls.
2021 Lexus ES
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Best of the eight scored years, with no owner complaints and no recalls on file.
2020 Lexus ES
1 recalls · 5 complaints
Excellent reliability with only a handful of complaints, far fewer than 2019, though two crash reports say air bags did not deploy.
2019 Lexus ES
3 recalls · 33 complaints
Weakest of the eight scored ES years, with fuel pump stalling complaints and three recalls, though it still rates well above other 2019 sedans.
2018 Lexus ES
2 recalls · 10 complaints
Middle of the pack among scored ES years, with excellent reliability, a 5-star federal crash rating, two fuel system recalls and few owner complaints.
Found Your Lexus ES? Check Its History
Air bags (2) problems come up most in Lexus ES owner complaints, and 15 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Lexus ES Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Lexus ES Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Lexus Models
Compare all Lexus models by reliability
Compare Lexus ES With Similar Sedans
The Lexus ES competes with other midsize sedans such as BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Acura TLX.
ES vs BMW 5 Series
8 years tracked · 330 complaints
ES vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
8 years tracked · 469 complaints
ES vs Acura TLX
8 years tracked · 361 complaints
ES vs Volvo S60
6 years tracked · 65 complaints
ES vs Tesla Model 3
9 years tracked · 3948 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Lexus ES year to buy used?
- The 2022 is the site's pick. It rates excellent, has no recalls on file, and its owner complaints center on tires and wheels. The 2021 rates just as high, but it has no complaints on file at all, which makes it harder to judge.
- Is the Lexus ES reliable long term?
- Yes, overall standing is excellent and well above average among sedans on the site. Every year from 2018 to 2025 rates good or excellent. The record is not spotless, though. Stalling, airbag and automatic braking complaints are worth checking on any car you shop.
- What are the most common Lexus ES problems?
- Owner complaints cluster in four areas: air bags, the fuel and propulsion system, the engine, and service brakes. Air bags lead the list, with owners describing airbags that did not deploy in crashes. Stalling and weak throttle response come next.
- Does the Lexus ES stall?
- Some owners report it. Complaints describe no response when pressing the gas at a stop or while merging, then a sudden lunge. Some cars stall at lights and will not restart until the engine is cycled. Most reports point to a low-pressure fuel pump, and owners say parts were hard to get.
- Does the Lexus ES have automatic braking problems?
- Some owners say so. Complaints describe pre-collision and automatic emergency braking stopping the car hard on its own, in one case on a highway. Others report braking that kicks in while reversing into parking spaces. Test drive the car and ask the dealer about any brake warnings.
How we score the Lexus ES
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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