Research · Midsize Cars

2020 Lexus ES 350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2020 Lexus ES 350. Most complaints involve air bags (2) and forward collision avoidance (2). The EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
5
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2020 Lexus ES 350 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2020 – Oct 2022
  1. Air bags2
  2. Forward collision avoidance2
  3. Electrical system2
  4. Seat belts1
  5. Vehicle speed control1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ES 350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201933
20205
20215
202213
202311
20249
20255
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“The safety features on my Lexus ES 350 2020 malfunctioned on 10/16/2022 •Cruise control with radar functionality to speed up, slow down or stop, based upon my speed setting did not work at that moment. It did work my entire trip, which was a drive to Tallahassee from our residence on Friday and our return trip home on Sunday, until the accident occurred just north of the Ft. Pierce exit. •The brake sensor, which causes your vehicle to stop with obstructions near the vehicle did not function. •Airbags did not deploy •Seatbelts did not “lock” at impact. When I realized that the safety features (radar and brake sensor) were not working, I slammed on the brakes, but nothing happened.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2022Air bags, Seat belts, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11490257

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports1 crash
“I always use cruise control whenever i drive because this would always makes me put on a safety automatic brake whenever i get close to the car next to me. But it seems like my automatic emergency brake is defective which Lexus Dealership denies on the inspection when i complain. A lot of times the automatic emergency brake does not work when i use it even when im backing up it suppose to stop but a lot of times im almost at thr brink of hitting something so i have to manually brake. I also texted this to my Lexus Assistant Manager in Lexus Glendale California branch and had it inspected by them but they’ve sit my car in the dealership and at the end of the day told me that its normal. Is it normal to hit a car next to you when youre expecting your car to stop automatically and it does not stop? Why do i have this feature and it doesnt work? I hope you can help me becaus ethis car is very expensive and yet it does not guarantee safety!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2022Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11459820

Electrical system

2 reports1 crash
“On Friday, June 03, 2022 as I was leaving the dealership in the 2020 Lexus ES 350 loaner vehicle, I put the car in reverse to back away from the wall, and then put the car from reverse into drive that resulted in it lurching forward momentarily. I did not hear the engine revving, probably because I wasn’t paying attention, but my partner who was seated next to me in the driver’s seat said he heard it. He suspected that the dealership loaned us the vehicle that had a similar issue that caused it to move forward. When I saw the definition of sudden unintended acceleration, I felt that it could be that. I didn’t think it was me. I drove the Lexus home, which was across the street from the dealership and no one drove it during the next few days. On Tuesday, June 07, 2022, we were scheduled for a medical appointment 80 miles away. My partner cancelled it but I decided to take the Lexus out to the store and there was no incident so the appointment was rescheduled for June 09. On Thursday, June 09, 2022 at about 11:30AM PDT, I brought the 2020 Lexus ES 350 loaner vehicle to a stop using the brake pedal. The car was about 12 feet from a landscaped island that separated…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2022Electrical systemCrash reportedODI 11482490
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 350
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400346
ES 350 F Sport
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500352
  • ES 350
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • ES 350 F Sport
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lexus ES 350 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 14702
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 ES 350 questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Lexus ES 350 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.

What are the most common 2020 Lexus ES 350 problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (2), forward collision avoidance (2), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Lexus ES 350 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lexus ES 350 at 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Lexus ES 350?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Lexus ES 350 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026