VehicleVerdict

2025 Lexus ES problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2025 Lexus ES — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2025 compare to other ES years?

ES NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 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, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ES years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Lexus ES problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance444%
Fuel System222%
Brakes111%
Electrical System111%
Body & Structure111%

Does the 2025 Lexus ES have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Describe:     •    Rear camera froze     •    Parking assist warning did not activate     •    Auto-brake did not engage     •    Accident occurred before recall update I backed into my Neighbors car which was parked opposite my driveway. Searched and found…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 22, 2025 · crash

“I was driving with traffic in a 35 mph zone on a moderately busy street. I got the alert to brake and did so immediately. I collided with the Jeep in front of me. The airbags did not deploy. The front hood of the car tented and a fire immediately broke out under the hood. When a policeman arrived…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 5, 2026 · crash · fire

“The Pre-Collision System (PCS) activated twice in the last couple of weeks with absolutely no reason. Both times it activated with transmission in reverse and vehicle in process of backing up. But there was no vehicle or person within the vicinity. The sudden braking startled the driver and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 8, 2026

“I was driving with traffic in a 35 mph zone on a moderately busy street. I got the alert to brake and did so immediately. I collided with the Jeep in front of me. The airbags did not deploy. The front hood of the car tented and a fire immediately broke out under the hood. When a policeman arrived…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 5, 2026 · crash · fire

“Describe:     •    Rear camera froze     •    Parking assist warning did not activate     •    Auto-brake did not engage     •    Accident occurred before recall update I backed into my Neighbors car which was parked opposite my driveway. Searched and found…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 22, 2025 · crash

2025 Lexus ES — common questions

Is the 2025 Lexus ES reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2025 Lexus ES have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2025 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.