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Lexus ES Steering problems by year

4 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lexus ES's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

YearSteering complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20212100
20161110
20151000

Latest ES steering complaints

2016 Lexus ESSteeringSuspensionAirbagsCrash1 injury

On May 13, 2026, while traveling at approximately 31 mph under normal driving conditions, a critical right-front suspension or steering component suddenly suffered a catastrophic structural failure on its own. This spontaneous mechanical failure caused the vehicle to immediately and violently veer to the right, rendering the steering ineffective and resulting in an unavoidable collision with two parked vehicles. The vehicle has been determined to be a total loss. Furthermore, during the crash event, the front...

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passenger-side seat-mounted side airbag and side curtain airbags deployed despite the front passenger seat being completely unoccupied. Conversely, the driver's front steering wheel airbag failed to deploy completely during the impact. A corporate inspection by Toyota Motor North America/Engineering Analysis Associates confirmed severe, localized separation of the right front strut, knuckle, tie rod end, brake line, and ABS wiring. Toyota is currently utilizing its own interpretation of the Event Data Recorder (EDR) steering/speed metrics to deny component defect liability, attributing the structural suspension failure to post-crash forces rather than pre-crash causation. I am filing this report to log a potential structural component defect in the 2016 Lexus ES 350 front suspension/steering assembly, as well as an irregular Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) deployment pattern, which presents an unreasonable safety risk to drivers.

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Air bagsNHTSA 11749483
2021 Lexus ESSteeringBrakesCrash

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus ES. While the contact's wife was driving at unknown speeds, the messages stating "vehicle notification system, a malfunction in the vehicle notification system has been detected, contact dealer", and "notification system malfunction visit your dealer" were displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel automatically maneuvered to the left side of the lane and the contact's wife avoided a crash, however, the failure recurred and the contact's wife crashed into the rear bumper of...

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a vehicle with the front bumper of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that while the wife was depressing the brake pedal, it failed to respond and the contact's wife crashed into the vehicle a second time. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakesNHTSA 11585513
2015 Lexus ESSteeringSuspension

The braking, steering and suspension components are malfunctioning and are extremely rusted. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety as well as my passengers, other motorists and pedestrians with children and pets on the roads and highways safety is compromised due to the vehicle violently and unexpectedly pulling left and right, losing contact with the road over rough road surfaces and shaking uncontrollably during deceleration. I cannot state with certainty that the dealerships have...

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reproduced the problem and I have not been given written permission to take my vehicle to an independent service center after numerous complaints. I cannot confirm that the vehicle or components have been inspected by the manufacturer, however no police, or insurance representatives have inspected my vehicle. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed on my vehicle's instrument panels, however, there were symptoms such as shaking, rattling, uncomfortable and uncharacteristic handling and a feeling of a serious problem or defect prior to the suspension lower arm assembly being replaced and diagnosis of broken steering column bushings, circa 2021. As of today, the low tire pressure light stays on constantly.

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11577512
2021 Lexus ESSteering

Power steering malfunction with red steering wheel sign Car doesnot turn either side Power steering low Visit your dealer

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11537243

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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