2021 Lexus ES Airbags Problems
Airbag complaints make up 89% of all 2021 Lexus ES complaints (25 of 28), almost entirely tied to recall 23V865000 for the passenger airbag occupant classification sensor. No crashes, fires, or injuries are recorded, but many owners report long waits for the repair part.
- Airbags complaints
- 25
- 89% of 28
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- —
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report receiving a recall notice stating the passenger airbag may not deploy correctly due to an occupant classification sensor issue.
- Multiple owners state the dealer had no repair part available and could not give a timeline for the fix.
- Some owners describe contacting Lexus directly after concluding the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time to complete the recall repair.
- A few owners express concern about driving with a family member in the passenger seat while the airbag defect remains unresolved.
- No owner in the sample reported an actual airbag failure, crash, or injury; the complaints center on recall repair delays.
When 2021 Lexus ES airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 14, 2024, latest Dec 17, 2025.
Airbags recalls for the 2021 Lexus ES
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
Airbags complaints by ES model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there an airbag recall on the 2021 Lexus ES?
- Yes. Recall 23V865000 covers the 2021 Lexus ES350 for an airbag occupant classification sensor that may prevent the passenger airbag from deploying properly. Dealers are to inspect and replace the sensor free of charge.
- How common are airbag complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES?
- NHTSA lists 25 airbag complaints out of 28 total complaints for the 2021 ES, or 89% of all complaints filed for that model year.
- Have there been any injuries from the 2021 Lexus ES airbag issue?
- No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to these airbag complaints.
- Why are so many owners complaining if there were no failures?
- Most 2021 ES airbag complaints describe delays getting the recall 23V865000 repair part rather than an actual airbag malfunction, with several owners noting the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable repair timeframe.