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2009 Lexus ESProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 28 owner complaints about the 2009 Lexus ES, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

62
CarFlaw IndexSolid year40% below the ES median · #14 of 17 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints285 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage94kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 29, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Lexus ES has problems

28 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags142
Vehicle speed control30
Structure20
Electrical system22
Suspension10
Visibility/wiper10
Engine10
Equipment10
Service brakes10
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2009 Lexus ES recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other ES year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What ES owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TAKAT RECALL: HAD CAR ACCIDENT. HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE TURNING; RAN OVER STREET SIGN AND HIT IRON FENCE INFRONT OF APARTMENT BUILDING. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…
Complaint 11228232 · Jun 28, 2019 · 134,000 miles
I CALLED LEXUS OF ROCKVILLE CENTER LI NY TODAY REGARDING "URGENT SAFETY RECALL" NOTICE I RECEIVED. SADLY LEXUS DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER UNTIL END OF MARCH... CAN'T EVEN MAKE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE LEXUS FIX THE PROBLEM "TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS" FOR AN URGENT…
Complaint 11079129 · Mar 14, 2018
TAKATA RECALL THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER HAS YET TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. I HAVE BEEN IN A 'LOANER' VEHICLE FOR 10 MONTHS.
Complaint 11055730 · Dec 20, 2017 · 99,000 miles

Own a 2009 ES?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.