AI Damage2021 Lexus ES: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Lexus ES filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and steering. The maker issued 48 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 48
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 89% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 25 complaints (89% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 28 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While the contact's wife was driving at unknown speeds, the messages stating "vehicle notification system, a malfunction in the vehicle notification system has been detected, contact dealer", and "notification system malfunction visit your dealer" were displayed.
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 reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
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 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 recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue.
Power steering malfunction with red steering wheel sign Car doesnot turn either side Power steering low Visit your dealer
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,107 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 47% least complained about).
On average one model year of the ES has 6 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 28, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026
This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.
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NHTSA lists 48 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lexus ES?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, steering, service brakes. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (4%), windows, sunroof (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Lexus ES?
NHTSA lists 48 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Lexus ES from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.