Almost every ES year is a good buy; the 2016 and 2019 are among the cleanest. The 2012 is the one to check most carefully, because Takata air bag recalls make up most of its complaints.
Best years: 20162019 Years to avoid: 2012
Every ES year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | - | 0 | Air bags | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 12 | - | 0 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 16 | 38 | 0 | Collision avoidance | Few reports |
| 2021 | 7 | 15 | 0 | Collision avoidance | Few reports |
| 2020 | 6 | 14 | 0 | Air bags | Few reports |
| 2019 | 34 | 66 | 0 | Fuel System | Good buy |
| 2018 | 10 | 21 | 2 | Other | Few reports |
| 2017 | 23 | 45 | 1 | Brakes | Few reports |
| 2016 | 28 | 48 | 1 | Other | Good buy |
| 2015 | 22 | 34 | 1 | Other | Few reports |
| 2014 | 42 | 58 | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 2013 | 63 | 87 | 1 | Brakes | Watch out |
| 2012 | 116 | 207 | 3 | Air bags | Skip this year |
About the ES
The ES is Lexus's front-wheel-drive midsize sedan, built on the same base as the Toyota Avalon, with a V6 or a hybrid. It has one of the lowest complaint rates of any car we track. The 2012's complaints are mostly Takata air bag recalls with long waits for parts. A few 2013-2015 owners report dashboards that melt or turn sticky.
- 2007-2012: Fifth generation, 3.5 V6. Takata air bag recalls.
- 2013-2018: Sixth generation, first ES hybrid. Some dashboard complaints.
- 2019 on: Seventh generation. Very few complaints.
Government investigations into the ES
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2012 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
ES vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Lexus ES?
2016 and 2019. Almost every ES year is a good buy; the 2016 and 2019 are among the cleanest. The 2012 is the one to check most carefully, because Takata air bag recalls make up most of its complaints.
Which Lexus ES years should I avoid?
2012. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Lexus ES average.
Is the Lexus ES reliable?
Yes. It has one of the lowest complaint rates in our data. On older cars, make sure Takata air bag recalls are done, and on 2013-2015 cars check the dashboard for melting or a sticky surface.
Based on 388 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.