VehicleVerdict

2023 Lexus ES problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2023 Lexus ES — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other ES years?

ES NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted164 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 8 complaints2000: 9 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 48 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 21 complaints2005: 75 complaints2006: 12 complaints2007: 164 complaints2008: 78 complaints2009: 29 complaints2010: 46 complaints2011: 59 complaints2012: 34 complaints2013: 48 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 10 complaints2017: 2 complaints2018: 8 complaints2019: 55 complaints2020: 18 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 9 complaints2025: 9 complaints
ES NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ES years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Lexus ES problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes220%
Driver Assistance220%
Electrical System220%
Fuel System110%
Speed Control110%
Tires & Wheels110%
Transmission110%

Does the 2023 Lexus ES have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V744000Driver AssistanceOctober 30, 2025 · 1,024,407 units

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 display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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 number for this recall is WRE25.

24V124000Driver AssistanceFebruary 21, 2024 · 18,616 units

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 control unit (ECU) software, the rearview camera image may not immediately display within a couple of seconds after the shifter is placed into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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 24LA01.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 22, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that upon coasting into a parking space, the contact tapped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. In an effort to avoid hitting the building, the contact steered the vehicle to the left, away from the building; as a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 4, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that upon coasting into a parking space, the contact tapped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. In an effort to avoid hitting the building, the contact steered the vehicle to the left, away from the building; as a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 4, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Lexus ES 300h. The contact stated that while sitting idle with the engine powered off in a local parking lot, the vehicle suddenly began to roll back independently into the nearby underground garage and crashed into the rear end of another parked vehicle's front…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 31, 2025 · crash

“I ran my car’s left front corner into a concrete pillar at about 5 MPH, put it in reverse and then the car engine sounded as if it was accelerating and it moved backward at a rapid pace. I put my foot on the brake, no response, then put gear shifter into drive, no response, put shifter in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 22, 2023 · crash

2023 Lexus ES — common questions

Is the 2023 Lexus ES reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2023 ES problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), driver assistance (2 complaints).

Does the 2023 Lexus ES have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Lexus ES. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus ES years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the ES years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2005, 2011, 2019, 2013, 2002, 2010, 2003, 2012. The cleanest record among ES years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.