2021 Lexus Es: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Lexus Es? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 27 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.
2021 Lexus Es Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2021 Lexus Es trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Lexus Es has 27 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Lexus
- Model
- Es
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 27
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 28
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 25 / 34
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
Most Common 2021 Lexus Es Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Steering Defects
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Steering Defects, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Lexus Es?
The 2021 Lexus Es shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Lexus Es
Inspection Focus
- Verify that all airbag-related recalls have been performed on the vehicle.
- Check for any open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag, steering, and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on airbag system functionality.
Before You Close the Deal
- Verify that all airbag-related recalls have been performed on the vehicle.
- Check for any open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag, steering, and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on airbag system functionality.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Lexus Es, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES are heavily concentrated in airbag malfunctions, with a small number of steering and brake issues reported. One recall and one crash-related complaint are noted, but the low complaint volume limits confidence in identifying widespread problems.
- Airbag malfunctions account for the majority of complaints (25 out of 27).
- Steering defects and brake system issues are reported but in very low numbers.
- Only one recall and one crash-related complaint exist for this model year.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Steering Defects
- Brake System
All 2021 Lexus Es Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Lexus Es. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Lexus Es. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES-300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reason…
Still no parts for fix
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The contact called the dealer for over a year for parts availability updates and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the ma…
Recall on my vehicle has been out for 1.5 years. Dealer states no parts yet & that I should be fine. But I don’t feel safe if my passenger air bag won’t deploy in any emergency.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repai…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonab…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall rep…
AIR BAG RECALL IN DECEMBER 2023 STILL NO REMEDY AVAILABLE !
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recal…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonab…
I received a DMV notice of Vehicle Safety Recall, I contacted the Dealer and they notify me that as of now there is no repair for it. That it is on "Interim notice". That if you need a documentation from the that they can provide it for me. Please let me know how to go about it a…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reason…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repa…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonab…
front seat passenger air bag recall and it has been over a year and they are still waiting for the parts. The recall says that the air bag may not deploy when it is supposed to and could cause injury to the occupant. I would think this would be a high priority for Lexus to fix th…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. Th…
This vehicle has a recall for the passenger side airbag OCS sensors NHTSA 23V865 as of December 2023 and there is still no remedy available per NHTSA. This is not being remedied in a timely manner.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repai…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repai…
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bag) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonabl…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Lexus Es.
2021 Lexus Es Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Lexus Es. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Lexus Es Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Lexus Es reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 27 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2021 Lexus Es shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lexus Es?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (25 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (2 complaints). #3: Brake System (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Lexus Es?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Lexus Es?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Lexus Es, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 27 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Lexus Es have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2021 Lexus Es. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Lexus Es?▾
The 2021 Lexus Es shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Lexus Es reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Lexus Es based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.