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Lexus ESModel year report

2021 Lexus ES Problems

Compared with other Lexus ES years

Typical for this model

48/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
38,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl AWD · 25 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Lexus ES (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES. The part named most often is air bags, with 25 complaints (89% of the total), followed by steering (2) and brakes (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 48 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the occupant classification filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Lexus ES model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 48 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “I received a DMV notice of Vehicle Safety Recall, I contacted the Dealer and they notify me that as of now there is no repair for it. That it is on Interim notice . That if you need a documentation from the that they can provide it for me. Please let me know how to go about it asap. I like to renew my vehicle registration and I can't do it because of the Recall on my car. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #11638542, filed 2025-01

Steering: “The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES. 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 stated that the steering wheel automatically maneuvered to the left side of the lane and the contact's wife avoided a crash, however, the failure recurred and the contact's wife crashed into the rear bumper of a vehicle with the front bumper of the contact's vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11585513, filed 2024-04, 38,000 miles

Other or unknown: “On or July 28, 2026, I experienced a safety incident involving the driver’s side power window on my 2021 Lexus ES. The vehicle was running, and I reached through the driver’s side window to retrieve an item being handed to me. Without me pressing or activating the window switch, the driver’s window unexpectedly quickly closed on my arm. It trapped my right forearm. I could not get my arm out for several minutes and attempted to open the window with both the switch and manually using all my force from my upper body to try to free my right arm. …”

NHTSA complaint #11753522, filed 2026-07

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 38,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–25100%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

202320242025142026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Lexus ES. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ES 250 · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 10.5% risk
ES 300H · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 10.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Lexus ES version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ES 250 AWD2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automatic253428$2,400
ES 300h FWD2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT434444$1,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Lexus ES → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 48 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 48 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20255—1525—Too new
2024910,1002526—Too new
20231050,0902544—Too new
2022116,8320528—Not enough data
20212838,000152848 · TypicalRising
20201827,6901544—Rising
20193411,0001544100 · MoreFalling
201852000—40—Not enough data
20169115,5000—40—Not enough data
20155115,0000—40—Not enough data
20133445,0000—4054 · TypicalStable
20123166,3160——36 · TypicalStable
20114647,0000——82 · MoreRising
20104170,0000——11 · FewerStable
20092879,0000——36 · TypicalRising
20086862,0000——52 · TypicalRising
200712580,1230——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200612115,0000———Not enough data
2005598,8500——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20041689,0000———Falling
20032368,0000———Rising
20022796,1500——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006140,0000———Not enough data
1999885,0000———Not enough data

All Lexus ES model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Lexus ES is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 25 complaints (89% of the total), followed by steering with 2.

Has the 2021 Lexus ES been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Lexus ES do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Lexus ES 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus ES get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Lexus ES (ES 250 AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Lexus ES reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 38,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.