Head-to-head reliability
Lexus ES vs Lexus NX
How the Lexus ES and Lexus NX compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lexus ES vs Lexus NX: The ES averages 18.4 complaints per year and has 8 recalls, while the NX averages 30.5 complaints and 15 recalls. The NX also has more electrical and structural issues. Both have 0 deaths reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus ES or Lexus NX more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan with a generally low complaint rate—about 18.4 per year over the past decade. Owners report issues with airbag deployment and recalls, fuel system lunging, engine leaks, and brake failures. While many complaints are serious, the overall frequency is lower than the NX, suggesting fewer day-to-day problems for a used buyer.
Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is a compact luxury SUV with a higher complaint rate—about 30.5 per year. Electrical system failures are the most common, often causing multiple warning lights and loss of power brakes or air conditioning. Other issues include structural problems like fuel doors that won't open and brake complaints. The NX has more recalls and a broader range of reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus ES | Lexus NX |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 184 Better | 305 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 15 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 38 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.4 Better | 30.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 30 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lexus ES
- 01AIR BAGS44
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34
- 03ENGINE23
- 04SERVICE BRAKES23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes, such as a 2018 ES 300h rear-ended with no deployment, and prolonged recalls for passenger-side airbags. This matters because it directly affects occupant protection in a collision.
Complaints describe the car 'lunging' forward when shifting into drive and intermittent loss of engine power during acceleration. These issues can make the car unpredictable in traffic and may require costly diagnostics.
Reports include transmission failure and timing chain cover leaks at low mileage (e.g., 53k miles). Such repairs can cost over 10% of the vehicle's purchase price, so a thorough mechanical inspection is crucial.
Some owners experienced brake failure, such as a 2020 ES 350 where the pedal went to the floor and the car had to be shifted to stop. This is a critical safety concern that should be checked immediately.
“I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the prolonged recall of the passenger-side airbag in my 2020 Lexus ES350 (VIN #[XXX]). The recall numbers are (23LA03, 23LB03 and 23V865) these were issued in December of 2023, which h…”
“On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on…”
Lexus NX
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM97
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER64
- 03STRUCTURE37
- 04SERVICE BRAKES21
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE21
Owners report all warning lights illuminating at once, loss of air conditioning and power brakes, and cars that won't start or lock occupants inside. These failures can leave you stranded and require expensive electrical diagnostics.
Complaints include side mirrors that don't adjust enough for shorter drivers and air conditioning condensers easily punctured by small pebbles. These issues affect comfort and visibility, and repairs may not be covered by warranty.
Problems include fuel doors that won't open due to misalignment, even after dealer repairs. This is a nuisance but can also prevent refueling, and repeated fixes suggest a design flaw.
Some owners express disappointment with brake service and performance, though specific failure details are limited. Brake issues on any vehicle are a safety concern and should be inspected.
“While driving our Lexus on 8/13/2023 on the interstate under normal driving conditions ALL of our warning lights came on one after another. We also lost air conditioning and power brakes it seemed. We immediately exited and pulled over. Opened the hood and th…”
“The electrical system failed. It operates just about all the systems including items that are normally operated manually. My wife entered the car and pressed the start button and the car would not start. The car locked my wife inside with no manual method for…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lexus ES — 8 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
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 d…
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 fix: 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 nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
Lexus NX — 15 recalls
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 d…
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 fix: 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 nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federa…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Camry, 2019 Lexus NX300, and 2019 RX350L vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TA01 and 25LA01.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480…
The risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall…
Buyer analysis
Lexus ES or Lexus NX: which should you buy?
The Lexus ES has fewer complaints per year (18.4 vs. 30.5) and fewer recalls (8 vs. 15), suggesting it may be the more reliable choice. In practice, this means you're less likely to face frequent electrical or structural problems, though both models have serious safety-related complaints that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The NX has nearly double the annual complaint rate (30.5 vs. 18.4) and almost twice as many recalls (15 vs. 8).
- Electrical system failures dominate NX complaints (97 reports), while ES complaints are spread across airbags, fuel, engine, and brakes.
- NX owners report structural issues like fuel doors that won't open; ES owners report engine leaks and transmission failures.
- Both have airbag and brake concerns, but the ES has specific reports of airbags not deploying in crashes, while the NX has more electronic gremlins.
- Check for any open airbag recalls and confirm the passenger-side airbag has been replaced; ask for documentation.
- Test-drive at low speeds and during acceleration to feel for lunging or power loss, and inspect for timing chain cover leaks.
- Scan for stored electrical fault codes and test all electronics, including warning lights, air conditioning, and power brakes.
- Inspect the fuel door operation and side mirror adjustment range, and check for any signs of brake issues during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially airbag and fuel pump recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific problem areas for each model.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, brake response, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- For the NX, test all electrical components and check for proper operation of the fuel door and side mirrors.
- For the ES, listen for engine noises and check for leaks, and verify that the airbag system has no outstanding recalls.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lexus ES | Lexus NX |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 15 | 36 |
| 2024 | 9 | 183 |
| 2023 | 22 | 31 |
| 2022 | 23 | 16 |
| 2021 | 28 | 34 |
| 2020 | 18 | 0 |
| 2019 | 62 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lexus ES or Lexus NX in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus ES vs Lexus NX
- Lexus ES total complaints
- 184
- Lexus NX total complaints
- 305
- Lexus ES total recalls
- 8
- Lexus NX total recalls
- 15
- Lexus ES avg complaints/year
- 18.4
- Lexus NX avg complaints/year
- 30.5
- More reliable overall
- Lexus ES
- Lexus ES top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Lexus NX top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM