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Lexus Air Bag Recalls: Passenger Sensors and Deployment Problems
Passenger detection and air bag deployment are recurring concerns across these five Lexus recalls. The December 2018 notice covers certain 2008–2019 LX570 vehicles whose seat belt tension sensor harness may break, deactivating several passenger air bags. The December 2023 notice identifies OCS sensor short circuits affecting models including 2020–2021 ES350 and 2020–2022 ES300H vehicles. A separate April 2024 recall concerns incorrect occupant detection in Executive Package LS500 vehicles from 2018–2021 and LS500 Hybrid vehicles from 2018–2020. Other defects involve an improperly installed driver knee air bag in the 2019 ES and curtain air bags that may unroll incorrectly in certain 2024 TX350, TX500 Hybrid, and TX550 Hybrid+ vehicles.
Warning signs to watch for
- The notices for these recalls do not describe any warning sign an owner would notice.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these five notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The December 2018 LX570 seat belt sensor harness notice and April 2019 ES knee air bag notice do not tell owners to stop driving. Neither does the December 2023 OCS sensor short-circuit notice. The April 2024 LS Executive Package passenger-seat notice and June 2024 TX curtain air bag notice also do not tell owners to stop driving. These statements describe the notices’ instructions; they do not establish driving safety.
What the free repair involves
Dealer remedies are free of charge: the December 2018 LX570 recall modifies or replaces the passenger seat belt assembly; the April 2019 ES recall inspects and, if necessary, replaces the driver knee air bag. The December 2023 recall inspects and replaces sensors as necessary; April 2024 LS repairs involve seat inspection and repair as necessary; June 2024 TX repairs replace both curtain shield air bag assemblies.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 5 |
Models affected most
Where owners report air bags problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under air bags for the Lexus models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Air bags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Lexus ES | 25 |
| 2020 Lexus ES | 8 |
| 2018 Lexus LX570 | 2 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2024 | Toyota and Lexus SUV curtain airbags may deploy wrong | high |
| Apr 17, 2024 | Lexus LS Passenger Airbag Sensor May Misread Occupant | high |
| Dec 20, 2023 | Toyota, Lexus airbag sensor may block deployment | high |
| Apr 10, 2019 | Lexus ES Knee Airbag May Be Installed Incorrectly | high |
| Dec 13, 2018 | Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX570 Airbag Deactivation | high |
Common questions
Which Lexus LS vehicles are included in the passenger-seat sensor recall?
The April 2024 notice covers certain 2018–2021 LS500 and 2018–2020 LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the Executive Package. Interference between internal passenger-seat parts can cause incorrect occupant detection. Dealers inspect and repair the front passenger seat as necessary, free of charge.
What is the air bag problem in the 2024 Lexus TX?
The June 2024 notice covers certain TX350, TX500 Hybrid, and TX550 Hybrid+ vehicles. Driver and passenger curtain air bags may not unroll as intended and could partially deploy outside an open window. Dealers replace both curtain shield air bag assemblies free of charge.
Do the Lexus ES recalls involve the same air bag defect?
The April 2019 notice concerns an improperly installed driver knee air bag in certain 2019 ES vehicles. The December 2023 notice concerns OCS sensor short circuits in models including 2020–2021 ES350 and 2020–2022 ES300H vehicles, potentially preventing front passenger air bag deployment.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.