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. The associate also tried to push the window back open but it would not budge. I had also tried opened the driver’s door to see if that would cause the window to release. Nothing I could do would budge the window open for me to pull free and the force was very strong against my arm. I finally freed my arm and the window closed quickly on both hands at my knuckles before I could pull them out. Which I also had to struggle against with great force.That's how fast the window was going. I did think I was going to loose my hand. The incident resulted in injury to my right arm. Based on my understanding, the power window did not stop or reverse as I would have expected from the vehicle’s anti-pinch safety feature. This unexpected window movement created a risk of serious injury. I am concerned that this may indicate a defect in the power window system or its safety features. I am submitting this report so the incident can be documented and investigated to determine whether other vehicles may have the same issue.
The worst 2021 Lexus ES problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags25
- Steering2
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags25
- Steering2
- Brakes1
Recalls 1
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- 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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Lexus ES 48
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Lexus’ New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 48 months or 50,000...
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Lexus’ New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 48 months or 50,000...
- Customer support program 24LE01
- In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in guest satisfaction, Lexus is announcing a Customer Support...
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Lexus’ New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 48 months or 50,000...
- Frequently Asked Questions CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24LE01 Certain 2019 -2021 Model Year ES300H Certain...
- Obsolete notice
- Obsolete notice
- Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a...
- Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
2021 Lexus ES fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 43 | 44 | 44 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | AWD | 25 | 34 | 28 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 31 | 25 |
What 2021 Lexus ES owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES-300H. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Still no parts for fix
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The contact called the dealer for over a year for parts availability updates and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Recall on my vehicle has been out for 1.5 years. Dealer states no parts yet & that I should be fine. But I don’t feel safe if my passenger air bag won’t deploy in any emergency.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES250. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES 300H. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bag recall in december 2023 still no remedy available !
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES300H. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Compare the 2021 Lexus ES
Other model years
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Questions about the 2021 Lexus ES
Is the 2021 Lexus ES reliable?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2021 Lexus ES, 1.2 times a typical ES model year.
What is the 2021 Lexus ES year score?
The 2021 Lexus ES scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus ES: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Lexus ES?
Airbags, with 25 complaints. Next is steering (2).
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus ES have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Lexus ES airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V865000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Lexus ES have bad airbags?
The Lexus ES model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (37 complaints), 2007 (34 complaints) and 2011 (27 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus ES get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Lexus ES range from 25 to 44 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 43 city and 44 highway.
VIN decoder
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