Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published December 20, 2023
Lexus ES 2020 Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes
Toyota is recalling 2020 Lexus ES models with a faulty airbag sensor that may not deploy during crashes, increasing injury risk. Owners must have the sensor checked by dealers for free.
Toyota is recalling certain 2020 Lexus ES models because a short circuit in the airbag sensor might prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying during a crash. This increases the risk of injury to drivers and passengers. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/79839-lexus-es-2020-air-bag-recall-risk-of-injury-in.
“Lexus ES 2020 Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79839-lexus-es-2020-air-bag-recall-risk-of-injury-in. Based on NHTSA recall #23V865000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V865000).
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing recalled certain 2020-2022 Lexus ES, Lexus RX, and Toyota vehicles because a short circuit in the Occupant Classification System sensor may prevent front passenger air bags from deploying, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency announced the recall on Dec. 20, 2023.
How to tell if you have it
Lexus ES Hybrid, 2020-2022
Lexus ES, 2020-2021
Lexus RX Hybrid, 2020-2021
Lexus RX, 2020-2021
Toyota Avalon Hybrid, 2020-2021
Toyota Avalon, 2020-2021
Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2020-2022
Toyota Camry, 2020-2022
Toyota Corolla, 2020-2021
Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2020-2021
Toyota Highlander, 2020-2021
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 2020-2021
Toyota RAV4, 2020-2021
Toyota Sienna Hybrid, 2021
What to do
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
The hazard
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. GovInfoNow's records show NHTSA has received owner complaints for these vehicles, including reports mentioning crashes and injuries for the 2020 Lexus ES.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has 212 other recalls on record since Jan. 6, 2011. Other recent recalls of similar products include a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC air bag recall (March 27, 2026), a Hyundai Elantra N air bag recall (April 21, 2026), and a Chrysler RAM 5500 air bag recall (Dec. 18, 2025).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle is a 2020 Lexus ES model. The recall covers specific model years and trim levels as listed in the official notice.
Brand
Lexus
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Toyota Customer Service
Call 1-800-331-4331 to get details about your vehicle and the recall process.
Have Dealer Inspect Sensor
Dealers will inspect and replace the OCS sensor if necessary, free of charge.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 10 months after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Interim owner letters mailed
3Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Lexus
We’ve drafted a message you can send Lexus to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 23V865000 — Lexus ES 2020 Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes
Hello,
I own a Lexus ES 2020 Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes that is covered by recall 23V865000 from Lexus.
The official recall notice states: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.