NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Lexus ES Safety Record
The 2020 Lexus ES has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 16 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 Lexus ES lacks any formal crash-test ratings from NHTSA, precluding a comprehensive safety assessment. One recall campaign and 16 owner complaints are on file for this model year. While these figures represent a light recall and complaint burden, they cannot inform any conclusions regarding the vehicle's crashworthiness.
The 2020 Lexus ES was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one recall on record involving the air bag occupant classification sensor, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 16 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Lexus ES?
The 2020 Lexus ES has a single recall on record, addressing the occupant classification sensor within the airbag system. This contributes to the model's classification in the Light burden band for combined recall and complaint volume. The 16 owner complaints include 3 alleged crash-related incidents and 4 alleged injuries, with airbags as a recurring theme in these unverified reports. The forward collision avoidance system appears in 2 complaints, a noteworthy detail considering its role in the vehicle's active safety suite. No other model years of the ES provide crash-test data for comparison.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Lexus ES have any recalls?
The 2020 Lexus ES has one recall on record, covering the air bag occupant classification sensor. This campaign is shared with several other Toyota-family models from the 2020-2021 period. NHTSA has not issued a park-outside or do-not-drive advisory tied to this campaign in the data provided, but owners should verify current repair status through the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION23V865000
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexu
Reported 2023-12-20
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Lexus ES?
Sixteen complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Lexus ES. The top alleged problem areas are air bags, reported in 8 of those filings, followed by unknown or other issues in 4, service brakes in 2, and forward collision avoidance in 2. All complaints are unverified consumer allegations and have not been confirmed as defects by NHTSA.
16 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Lexus ES?
Before purchasing a used 2020 Lexus ES, run the specific VIN through nhtsa.gov to confirm whether the air bag occupant classification sensor recall has been completed. An open recall means the remedy has not yet been applied to that individual vehicle.
- The 2020 Lexus ES has no NHTSA crash-test score and no star ratings for any category, because NHTSA did not test this model year.
- The single recall for this model year targets the air bag occupant classification sensor, a system that determines whether the front passenger air bag deploys, making VIN-level recall verification especially relevant for this vehicle.
- Eight of the 16 unverified complaints on file specifically allege air bag issues, which aligns with the recall subject and suggests owners have noticed concerns in that system.
- Forward collision avoidance appears in 2 unverified complaints for this model year, a component worth inspecting and testing during any pre-purchase evaluation of this specific year.
FAQ2020 Lexus ES safety questions
Was the 2020 Lexus ES crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 1 recall and 16 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Lexus ES have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2020 Lexus ES. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Lexus ES?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 16 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Lexus ES. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other ES years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Lexus ES 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.