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2019 Lexus ES

HybridGas
Midsize Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
68 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA40
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA44 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2019 Lexus ES is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the ES 300h, is EPA-rated at 44 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 40 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
ES 300hHybridFWD2.5L 4-cyl + 245V Ni-MH434544$1,400
ES 350GasFWD3.5L 6-cyl223326$2,400
ES 350 F SportGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl223125$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40713, 40711, 40712.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TA02, 20LA01
1,525,742 vehicles
ProblemToyota 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,RiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota 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
NHTSA campaign 20V682000reported Nov 4, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TB02/20TA02/20LB01
1,830,752 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200TRiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA campaign 20V012000reported Jan 13, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

K1L/K0L, K2F/KLF
6,925 vehiclesHybrid only
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."RiskDeactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.
NHTSA campaign 19V544000reported Jul 24, 2019Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Air Bags

KLD, KLE
564 vehicles
ProblemToyota 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.RiskIn the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the knee air bag does not deploy properly.FixToyota 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V288000reported Apr 10, 2019Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
40complaints filed

7 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 8 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 4 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System12
Engine9
Air Bags6
Power Train5
Service Brakes4
Electrical System4

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2019 Lexus ES 300H. The contact stated that while starting and operating the vehicle, the display screen frequently failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that occasionally the display screen activated as needed but intermittently the screen was black. The failure occurred consistently whe…”Apr 23, 2026 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“I am reporting a potential transmission issue with my 2019 Lexus ES 350. At around 70,000 miles, the vehicle began developing a whining noise at low speeds when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The noise has persisted and appears to be gradually worsening. The symptoms match numerous complaints I have seen from othe…”Mar 6, 2026 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“The component that failed is the Under Engine Cross Member. This is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk due to the Cross Member being bent so much that is didn't screw back in correctly, thus could have caused the engine to have fallen out of the car or worse. The problem was reproduced at Hendrick Lexu…”Dec 26, 2025 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking.

Compare the 2019 ES with

2019 Honda Civic →

Other ES model years

A

2026 Lexus ES

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2025 Lexus ES

1 recalls · 4 complaints

A

2024 Lexus ES

2 recalls · 9 complaints

A

2023 Lexus ES

2 recalls · 12 complaints

A

2022 Lexus ES

1 recalls · 14 complaints

A

2021 Lexus ES

1 recalls · 35 complaints

D

2020 Lexus ES

3 recalls · 24 complaints

B

2018 Lexus ES

2 recalls · 15 complaints

A

2017 Lexus ES

1 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2016 Lexus ES

1 recalls · 37 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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