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 has 181 complaints over 10 years (18.1/yr) and 8 recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. Owners report airbag failures in the Lexus and transmission issues in the Camry. 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 comfortable, low-stress sedan, but its complaint history shows a few nagging issues that could affect peace of mind. Owners report problems with airbag systems, including recalls and failures to deploy, as well as fuel system glitches that cause lunging or loss of power. Brake issues, including a reported failure, and engine oil leaks also appear. While the overall complaint rate is low, these issues can be serious and costly.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular, reliable family sedan, but its complaint volume is much higher, reflecting its larger sales base. Owners frequently report transmission problems, including grinding noises and failures, as well as engine issues like sudden acceleration and coolant valve problems. Brake failures and electrical glitches also appear. The sheer number of complaints suggests that some Camrys may have more frequent or severe issues than the Lexus.
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 | 181 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.1 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 163 |
| 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
- 03SERVICE BRAKES23
- 04ENGINE20
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
Owners report airbag recalls (e.g., passenger-side airbag) and instances where airbags failed to deploy in a crash, showing a 'SRS Airbag System Malfunction' message. This is a critical safety concern.
The car may 'lunge' forward when shifting into drive or hesitate/lose power when accelerating after a brief lift off the gas. This can be unsettling and potentially dangerous in traffic.
Some owners report brake failure, where the pedal goes to the floor or has no response, requiring pumping to stop. This is a serious safety issue that could lead to a crash.
Engine oil leaks from the timing chain cover have been reported, leading to expensive repairs. Also, transmission failures have been noted, though not as common as other issues.
“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 TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with owners reporting grinding noises, hesitation, and even the need for full transmission replacement. This can be a costly repair and affects drivability.
Sudden unintended acceleration has been reported, which is extremely dangerous. Additionally, engine codes like P268115 indicate a coolant bypass valve issue that may not be covered by recall for all VINs.
Brake failure, where the pedal has no response, has been reported, especially on hills. This can lead to loss of control and crashes.
Owners report issues like AC condenser damage from rocks and recurring mildew smells from the HVAC system, which are more of a comfort issue but can be annoying and costly to fix.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 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…
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 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 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 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…
Buyer analysis
Lexus ES or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus ES has significantly fewer complaints per year (18.1 vs 214.3) and fewer recalls (8 vs 31), indicating a more reliable ownership experience. While both have serious issues, the Lexus's lower frequency suggests a lower risk of encountering major problems.
Key differences
- Lexus ES has far fewer complaints per year (18.1 vs 214.3) and fewer recalls (8 vs 31).
- Camry owners report more transmission failures and sudden acceleration incidents, while Lexus owners report more airbag deployment failures and fuel system glitches.
- Both have brake failure reports, but the Camry's higher volume suggests a more widespread issue.
- Lexus ES engine issues include oil leaks, while Camry engine issues include coolant valve problems and sudden acceleration.
- Check for any open airbag recalls and ensure the occupant classification system works properly.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially at low speeds, for any sponginess or failure to respond.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and check for any hesitation or slipping.
- Verify that the engine does not surge or accelerate unexpectedly during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and ensure all recalls are completed.
- For the Lexus ES, ask about any history of airbag warnings or fuel system issues.
- For the Camry, ask about transmission service or replacement history and any engine codes.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes on both vehicles for any signs of failure.
- Test drive both on hills and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for any hesitation or brake issues.
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 | 119 |
| 2025 | 12 | 153 |
| 2024 | 9 | 48 |
| 2023 | 22 | 62 |
| 2022 | 23 | 59 |
| 2021 | 28 | 155 |
| 2020 | 18 | 270 |
| 2019 | 62 | 393 |
| 2018 | 5 | 736 |
| 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
- 181
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Lexus ES total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus ES avg complaints/year
- 18.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Lexus ES
- Lexus ES top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN