Owners have reported 6 crashes and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Lexus ES. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report issues with the 2019 Lexus ES related to the fuel/propulsion system, particularly involving a defective fuel pump. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle hesitates or fails to accelerate after stopping, sometimes requiring the engine to be turned off and restarted. This issue is noted to occur during city driving and can lead to stalling, which poses a risk of crashes, especially when merging or crossing intersections. Several owners express frustration with the lack of available parts to address the recall, and some describe safety concerns, particularly at high speeds on highways. These issues are reported to occur relatively early in the vehicle's life, with incidents noted as early as mid-2020.
Owner complaints4
ENGINE
Owners report issues with the 2019 Lexus ES's engine, including stalling and complete engine failure. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle stalling during acceleration or while at a stop, causing potential delays in entering traffic. One owner describes a severe incident where the engine lost all power due to a hole in the engine block, resulting in a seized engine at 128,000 miles. Safety implications include the risk of stalling in traffic, which may affect the driver's ability to maneuver safely. Buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly at higher mileages, as they may indicate potential reliability concerns.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Lexus ES frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during crashes. In three out of four complaints, airbags fail to deploy in collisions, including a T-bone accident and incidents involving unintended acceleration and brake failure. These incidents resulted in a total of five injuries. Complaints also describe failures in vehicle systems such as electrical warning sensors and parking brake assist, with failure mileages noted at approximately 3,636 and 18,400 miles. These reports suggest potential safety implications due to airbag and system malfunctions during critical situations.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 5 injury reports
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report several issues related to the braking system of the 2019 Lexus ES. Two complaints involve crashes: one describes unintended braking on the highway leading to a loss of control and collision with the median, while another describes a failure to stop at an intersection, resulting in a rear-end collision. A third complaint mentions automatic braking engaging without warning while reversing and a separate issue of vibration and noise when braking at higher speeds, which was diagnosed as needing rotor resurfacing. These problems have been noted at low mileages, with one case occurring at approximately 2,000 miles. The safety implications include loss of control and collision risks, which potential buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
POWER TRAIN
Owners report experiencing power train issues with the 2019 Lexus ES, particularly involving sudden loss of power or hesitation during acceleration. Complaints frequently mention situations where the vehicle fails to accelerate as expected, often described as feeling like the car is in neutral despite being in gear. These issues typically arise during low-speed maneuvers such as turning or slowing down, and can occur on both local roads and highways. Some incidents have occurred within the first year of ownership, and owners note the lack of error messages or diagnostic codes when these events happen. Safety implications are significant, with reports of near-collisions due to unexpected power loss, highlighting potential risks for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints3
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Lexus ES350 report issues related to recall repairs for the fuel system, specifically concerning the unavailability of necessary parts. Complaints frequently mention that despite receiving recall notifications, parts for the repairs are not available at dealerships, leaving vehicles unrepaired. Some owners indicate that the manufacturer has taken an extended period to provide the parts, with one owner noting that their vehicle has been deemed unsafe to drive and remains unused in their garage since March 2020. No failures, crashes, or other safety incidents are reported in these complaints, but the inability to perform recall repairs may be a consideration for potential buyers regarding vehicle maintenance and safety.
Owner complaints2
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2019 Lexus ES report issues related to vehicle structure, with one complaint detailing a crash. In this incident, the owner describes the vehicle drifting left at highway speeds without any vibration warning from the steering wheel, suggesting a potential issue with lane departure systems. The owner also notes an unresponsive steering and braking system, and a failure of the auto brake to engage, resulting in a collision with a concrete barrier. Additionally, the airbags did not deploy during the crash, and the vehicle failed to restart afterward. These issues appear at highway speeds, indicating potential safety implications for drivers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report two primary issues with the 2019 Lexus ES's electrical system. The first involves the DCM (Data Communication Module) malfunctioning, where the SOS emergency button repeatedly contacts the call center every few minutes, creating significant distractions while driving. The second issue involves multiple malfunction indicators, such as brake system warnings and engine malfunction lights, appearing simultaneously, which leads to the vehicle unexpectedly decelerating and stopping despite acceleration attempts. These incidents occur at various times, including one noted instance in mid-July 2022. Safety implications are evident as the unexpected deceleration and stopping could lead to potential accidents, particularly on busy roads and highways.
Owner complaints2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report two distinct issues with the 2019 Lexus ES. The first involves a low-pressure fuel pump that may stop operating, leading to warning lights on the instrument panel, rough engine performance, and potential vehicle stalling with an inability to restart. The second issue describes an incident where the sunroof unexpectedly shatters while driving, resulting in an injury. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, including vehicle stalling and physical harm from glass breakage, which prospective buyers should be aware of.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
