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Lexus ES no deployment problems

27 of the 675 owner complaints about the Lexus ES describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2019 model year.

owner complaints
27
worst model year
2019
typical mileage
100,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2023
    2
  • 2019
    4
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    2
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    3
  • 2011
    1
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    2
  • 2008
    2
  • 2005
    3
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    2

What owners say

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Airbags · 82,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2012 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front, resulting in a three-vehicle crash. The impact caused the hood to unlatch, and the hood flew up. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's grandson was a passenger in a rear-facing car seat, and the contact was unable to determine whether the child had sustained any injuries. The contact suffered a sore neck and body, and medical attention was received. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and declared a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be retrieved to access the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Airbags, Steering · CA · crash · 1 injury

On May 13, 2026, while traveling at approximately 31 mph under normal driving conditions, a critical right-front suspension or steering component suddenly suffered a catastrophic structural failure on its own. This spontaneous mechanical failure caused the vehicle to immediately and violently veer to the right, rendering the steering ineffective and resulting in an unavoidable collision with two parked vehicles. The vehicle has been determined to be a total loss. Furthermore, during the crash event, the front passenger-side seat-mounted side airbag and side curtain airbags deployed despite the front passenger seat being completely unoccupied. Conversely, the driver's front steering wheel airbag failed to deploy completely during the impact. A corporate inspection by Toyota Motor North America/Engineering Analysis Associates confirmed severe, localized separation of the right front strut, knuckle, tie rod end, brake line, and ABS wiring. Toyota is currently utilizing its own interpretation of the Event Data Recorder (EDR) steering/speed metrics to deny component defect liability, attributing the structural suspension failure to post-crash forces rather than pre-crash causation. I am filing this report to log a potential structural component defect in the 2016 Lexus ES 350 front suspension/steering assembly, as well as an irregular Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) deployment pattern, which presents an unreasonable safety risk to drivers.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Transmission · 32,186 miles · CA · 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 passenger-side bumper that was unoccupied. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that a 3rd party inspector investigated the failure; however, the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,186.

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL · crash · fire

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 he attempted unsuccessfully to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire was eventually extinguished when the fire department arrived. The car was towed away. The insurance adjuster said the car was totaled.

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · 110,000 miles · TX · crash

The contact owns a 2002 Lexus ES 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in the driveway and turning into the garage, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated, hit a beam, drove through the garage wall, and into the dining area of the residence, crashed into the furniture, and stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact noticed sparks and smoke coming from the dashboard after the impact. There was no injury sustained. There was property damage. The contact stated that she had previously filed a complaint regarding the vehicle's sudden and unintended acceleration. A report police was filed with the police. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was later towed back to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · TX · 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 result, the contact drove into some hedges. The contact's foot was on the brake pedal throughout the failure, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that a "Parking Support Brake Malfunction, Visit your Dealer" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy, and no injuries were reported. The police were not called to the scene, and a police report was not filed. The building's hedges were destroyed, and paint marks were left on the side of the building as a result of the vehicle scraping the building. Despite the failure, the contact managed to regain control of the vehicle and drove home. The next day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it remained in their possession; the vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 30, 2025 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · IL · crash · 2 injuries

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 driven away from the crash site. The vehicle was currently in the body shop for repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2024 · Airbags · KY · crash · 1 injury

1. I was involved in a car accident on Aug 28, 2024 when I was about to go around a curve in the road. A vehicle coming at breakneck speed and well over the posted speed limit, lost control, went over the double yellow lines and crashed into the left driver side of my Lexus. I was the driver and my left knee got crushed against the dashboard. None of my airbags, including my knee airbag deployed. My car was totaled but it is still available for inspection and held at the insurance company. The other driver was test driving a Mercedes and all their aibags deployed. 2. I suffered a communited patella fracture where my knee cap got fractured into several pieces, was taken by ambulance and had to have surgery the next day. The driver and the passenger in the other car were unscathed. 3. No. Until about two weeks ago I was under the impression that my 2015 Lexus was too old to include knee airbags. We recently found out that my car did indeed have knee airbags which did not deploy. For that matter none of the airbags deployed. 4. •My car was towed initially to the police tow lot and then to a car repair place. The car repair place along with a representative from our insurance company together decided that my car is damaged beyond repair. I have filed a complained with Lexus Brand Engagement Center and they have said that they will proceed with sending an inspector out to check the car as to why my airbags did not deploy causing me such a grievous knee injury 5. •There had been no warning lights of any kind. The police report shows that the airbag switch was on.

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Airbags · 110,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2015 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH during heavy rain weather conditions, the vehicle was hydroplaned, control of the vehicle was lost, and crashed into the concrete median. The contact heads impacted the steering wheel and the vehicle ricocheted off the concrete median and spun three times. The vehicle crashed into a wall and the vehicle came to a stop. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained head, tongue, middle back, shoulder, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed May 1, 2024 · Airbags · FL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's wife was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for injuries to her right shoulder, left hip, left femur, and left foot, requiring surgery on her shoulder, hip, and femur. The contact also stated that it was required that a stint be placed in his wife's heart. The contact mentioned the injuries sustained resulted in over $1 million in medical treatment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Related recalls

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles affected
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

Air bags: knee bolsterReported April 10, 2019 · 564 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 19V288000 · Recall details

Questions about the Lexus ES no deployment

Which Lexus ES years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2019 (4 complaints), 2005 (3 complaints) and 2012 (3 complaints).

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