Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (68.3% of complaints) — is covered by 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 8.2× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 99 · 68.3% | Recalled | Recall 19V741000 · Recall 18V024000 · Recall 17V006000 · Recall 16V340000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 · 13.8% | Recalled | Recall 09V388000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 4 · 2.8% | Recalled | Recall 09V388000 |
| Electrical System | 4 · 2.8% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 4 · 2.8% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 · 2.1% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 145 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 2019 · reported 10/17/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V024000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V006000 · 2017 · reported 01/09/2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V340000 · 2016 · reported 05/23/2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V388000 · 2009 · reported 10/05/2009
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V34000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED…”NHTSA complaint 11048056 — filed 11/22/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL - LEXUS STATES THAT THEY CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY VEHICLE”NHTSA complaint 11042810 — filed 11/02/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS AIRBAG REPLACED? I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM LEXUS IN MARCH DETAILING THE PROBLEM, AND…”NHTSA complaint 11041090 — filed 10/30/2017 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 99 of 145 NHTSA complaints (68.3%), followed by vehicle speed control (20), vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal (4), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
145 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. 5 deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V741000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
