YearToAvoid

2020 Lexus ES350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 Lexus ES350 has a Complaint Index of 56 and ranks 8th worst of 17 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 5 complaints, 1 recall, 3 crashes, and 4 injuries tied to this year, with airbags and electronic systems as the top concern areas.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
56/100
#8 of 17 ES350 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
5
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
22 city / 31.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2020 Lexus ES350 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags2 (40%)
  2. Electrical System2 (40%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (40%)
  4. Brakes1 (20%)
  5. Engine1 (20%)
  6. Other1 (20%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (20%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a multi-vehicle freeway crash involving another car and an oncoming truck.
  • Owners describe the radar-based cruise control shutting off unexpectedly, in one case right before a collision.
  • The DCM (data communication module) reportedly stopped working and remained broken even after a dealership update and reset.
  • Automatic emergency braking reportedly failed to engage during normal driving and while backing up, despite the feature working intermittently at other times.
2020 Lexus ES350 complaints: complaints filed per month1Nov 2020Oct 2021Apr 2022Sep 2022Oct 2022
5 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2020 to Oct 2022; peak Nov 2020 (1).

2020 Lexus ES350 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

2020 Lexus ES350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31.5 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other ES350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Best195224
2019Best135225.5
2020Caution565125.5
2021Good255025.5
2022No verdict62025.5

All Lexus ES350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Lexus ES350 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2020 ES350 a Complaint Index of 56, ranking it 8th worst out of 17 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints (5) than many earlier ES350 years but more reported issues per complaint involving airbags and electronics.
What problems does the 2020 Lexus ES350 have?
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 ES350 center on airbags (2 complaints, 2 crashes), electrical system issues (2 complaints), and collision avoidance/camera systems (2 complaints). One complaint each was filed for brakes, engine, and seat belts.
Does the 2020 Lexus ES350 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 ES350, campaign 20V682000, covering a fuel pump assembly replacement. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 ES350 compare to other ES350 years?
The 2020 ES350 scores worse than the 2018 and 2019 ES350 (Best verdict, Complaint Index 19 and 13) and worse than 2021 (Good, index 25), but far better than older years like 2007-2011, which carry Avoid verdicts and complaint indexes as high as 100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.