Head-to-head reliability
Lexus ES vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus ES and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The Lexus ES averaged 18.4 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Camry averaged 205.6, over 11 times more. The Camry also had 31 recalls versus 8 for the Lexus. Both have safety-related complaints, so check recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus ES or Toyota Camry 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 relatively low complaint rate: 184 complaints over 10 years, averaging 18.4 per year. Owners report issues with airbag deployment and recalls, fuel system lunging, engine leaks, and brake failures. While the overall volume is low, the severity of some complaints—such as airbags not deploying in crashes—means buyers should verify recall work and inspect carefully.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. Common trouble spots include power train hesitation and key removal problems, engine shuddering, brake noise and EPB failures, and electrical glitches. The higher complaint count suggests more frequent owner-reported issues, though many may be less severe than the Lexus airbag concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus ES | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 184 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.4 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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, including a rear-end collision where the SRS malfunction message appeared. There are also prolonged recalls for passenger-side airbag sensors, so buyers should confirm all recall repairs are completed.
Complaints describe the car lunging forward when shifting into drive and intermittent power loss during acceleration. These issues can affect drivability and safety, especially in traffic.
Reports include transmission failure and timing chain cover leaks at low mileage (e.g., 53k miles). Such repairs can be costly, so a pre-purchase inspection should check for leaks and transmission behavior.
Some owners experience brake failure, such as a pedal going to the floor without response. This is a critical safety concern that warrants immediate attention if experienced.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others note hesitation and shuddering during driving, which can indicate transmission or engine issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow. Also, a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common and attributed to the ABS system.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. Such electrical glitches can be distracting and costly to diagnose.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
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 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Lexus ES or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus ES has far fewer complaints per year (18.4 vs. 205.6) and fewer recalls (8 vs. 31), indicating a lower frequency of owner-reported issues. However, the Lexus complaints include severe safety concerns like airbag non-deployment, while the Camry's higher volume includes many drivability and electrical annoyances. In practice, the Lexus may require less frequent shop visits, but buyers should prioritize recall checks on both.
Key differences
- The Lexus ES has 184 complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056—over 11 times more, meaning Camry owners report problems more often.
- Lexus ES complaints often involve airbag non-deployment and fuel system lunging, which are severe safety issues; Camry complaints frequently involve power train hesitation and key stuck issues, which are drivability annoyances.
- The Camry has 31 recalls versus 8 for the Lexus, suggesting more widespread safety-related fixes over the same period.
- Lexus ES has 0 deaths reported in complaints, while Camry has 1 death, though this single data point should not be over-interpreted.
- Check for open airbag recalls (e.g., 23V865) and confirm the passenger-side airbag sensor has been replaced; ask for documentation.
- Test drive at low speeds and when shifting into drive to feel for lunging or hesitation, and inspect for timing chain cover leaks.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it may require battery disconnection to remove.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recall repairs are completed, especially airbag recalls on the Lexus and any open recalls on the Camry.
- During a test drive, accelerate from a stop and at highway speeds to check for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response.
- Test all electrical features: power windows, locks, infotainment, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping, and stability control systems.
- Inspect for fluid leaks under the engine, particularly around the timing chain cover on the Lexus.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on transmission, brakes, and airbag system functionality.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 15 | 163 |
| 2024 | 9 | 50 |
| 2023 | 22 | 64 |
| 2022 | 23 | 61 |
| 2021 | 28 | 157 |
| 2020 | 18 | 274 |
| 2019 | 62 | 395 |
| 2018 | 5 | 744 |
| 2017 | 2 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus ES vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus ES total complaints
- 184
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lexus ES total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus ES avg complaints/year
- 18.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lexus ES
- Lexus ES top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN