2019 Lexus ES problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Lexus ES, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
33
Recalls
1
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Median mileage
12,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 12 of 33 complaints (36%).
  • Engine (9) and airbags (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 12,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries.
  • The 2019 Lexus ES has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 2nd of 21 Lexus ES model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2019 Lexus ES problems by category

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash
    12 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Airbags · 3 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    5 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Fuel/propulsion system12
Engine9
Air bags5
Power train5
Electrical system3
Vehicle speed control3
Service brakes3
Structure:body3

When problems happen (mileage)

3Under 10k510k–30k130k–60k60k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2019 Lexus ES complaints that list mileage.

2019 Lexus ES recalls (1)

  • Recall 19V288000Apr 10, 2019564 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus ES vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a driver knee air bag assembly mounted to the lower instrument panel (IP) that may have been improperly installed, possibly affecting the deployment of the knee air bag in the event of a crash.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the knee air bag does not deploy properly.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver knee air bag assembly, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are KLD and KLE.

Recent 2019 Lexus ES complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Apr 29, 2026TXAirbags
    I've had my car for 3 years now and it randomly decided to throw a SRS airbag malfunction warning that will not go away. I know most of the last gen es350 had airbag recalls but the 2019 model year really didn't and I think its something similar. The car runs fine but the fact that my airbags wont deploy because of this warning makes it very unsafe.
    NHTSA complaint #11734498 · source
  2. Filed Apr 23, 202658,968 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2019 Lexus ES 300H. The contact stated that while starting and operating the vehicle, the display screen frequently failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that occasionally the display screen activated as needed but intermittently the screen was black. The failure occurred consistently whenever the vehicle was turned off for longer than two hours. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V744000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the VIN…
    NHTSA complaint #11733443 · source
  3. Filed Mar 6, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain
    I am reporting a potential transmission issue with my 2019 Lexus ES 350. At around 70,000 miles, the vehicle began developing a whining noise at low speeds when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The noise has persisted and appears to be gradually worsening. The symptoms match numerous complaints I have seen from other owners regarding premature failure of the UA80 transmission, particularly the whining sound during low-speed acceleration. This issue began approximately one…
    NHTSA complaint #11722597 · source
  4. Filed Dec 26, 2025ARBody & StructureSuspension
    The component that failed is the Under Engine Cross Member. This is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk due to the Cross Member being bent so much that is didn't screw back in correctly, thus could have caused the engine to have fallen out of the car or worse. The problem was reproduced at Hendrick Lexus Kansas City. This concern was confirmed by the Technician along with a video. The vehicle was supposed to had been inspected the first time at Park Lexus to…
    NHTSA complaint #11707180 · source
  5. Filed Jul 24, 2025VAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Vehicle hesitates when gas pedal pressed; creating hazard to cross intersections, merging into traffic. In order to have car respond, hard press on gas pedal required, which creates another dangerous situation of unexpected leap! While no recalls are shown, 2 reports [XXX] are shown on NHTSA recall site. Owners of this vehicle report same problem for all model years, and indicate dealers cannot fix/do not fix. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…
    NHTSA complaint #11675800 · source
  6. Filed May 30, 2025100,000 miILCrash2 injuredAirbags
    The contact owns a 2019 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH, another vehicle entered his lane, and the contact collided with the other vehicle's front passenger's side. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to his right leg and arm. The contact's son suffered injuries to his chin and right knee. The contact and his son later received medical care and physical therapy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11663879 · source
  7. Filed Mar 7, 2025CAEngine
    Driving car experienced a loud thump. Lost all engine power. Pulled to side of road. Had a hybrid system unavailable warning. Called a tow. Checked oil level to find it below the low mark. Car left a huge puddle of oil when loaded. Got to dealership. They found a hole in the engine block. Engine seized. Looms like it was the rod for the first cylinder. This issue sounds like what was the 2020 model years recall. My car had 128k on it all maintenance was completed on time, at…
    NHTSA complaint #11646961 · source
  8. Filed Oct 6, 2024NHLighting
    I bought a 2019 Lexus ES350 F Sport in October 2023 with 41,000 miles. Almost a year later to the day I went to a touchless car wash and now have excessive condensation in both headlights. Lexus shows these lights at $2500 a piece, plus labor to install. With modest investigating for a remedy I see I’m not alone in this predicament. Due to high cost of replacement I believe this warrants looking into whether it should be a recall or at least a safety bulletin as moisture in…
    NHTSA complaint #11618299 · source

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Other 2019 Lexus models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology