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Why might my Lexus passenger airbag not work properly?
These four Lexus recalls all concern the front passenger, and three come back to the seat itself. On 2018-2019 LX 570s (recalled alongside the Toyota Land Cruiser), a seat belt tension sensor wire harness can break and deactivate the front passenger, knee and seat-mounted side airbags. On 2018-2021 LS 500 and LS 500h models with the Executive Package, interference between internal seat parts upsets the Occupant Classification System. The largest campaign covers 2020-2022 Lexus ES and RX models — ES 250, ES 300h, ES 350, RX 350 and RX 450h — where a short circuit can stop the front passenger airbag inflating. The 2024 TX is the outlier: curtain airbags that may not unroll as intended.
Warning signs to watch for
- An airbag warning light on the dash
- The passenger airbag indicator showing the bag as off, or switching state, with an adult in the front seat
- On LS models with the Executive Package, the occupant classification system reading the front passenger incorrectly
- No warning at all for the 2024 TX curtain airbags — the fault appears only during a crash
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these four Lexus recalls tells owners to stop driving, and none asks you to park the vehicle outdoors. The cars drive normally; the risk appears only in a crash, when the front passenger airbags may be switched off, may fail to inflate, may misread the occupant, or — on the 2024 TX — may partially deploy outside the window opening. Toyota's advice is simply to have the free inspection or repair completed promptly rather than to change how you use the vehicle.
What the free repair involves
On the LX 570, dealers modify the front passenger seat belt assembly or replace it with an improved one. LS 500 owners get the front passenger seat inspected and repaired as necessary. For the ES and RX short-circuit recall, dealers inspect and replace the sensor if needed. The 2024 TX has both curtain shield airbag assemblies replaced. All work is free; none is over-the-air.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-20 | Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus TX curtain airbags deploy wrong | medium |
| 2024-04-17 | Lexus LS front passenger seat sensor may misread occupant | high |
| 2023-12-20 | Toyota and Lexus front passenger airbag may not inflate | high |
| 2018-12-13 | Land Cruiser and LX 570 passenger airbags may deactivate | high |
Common questions
My airbag light isn't on — could my Lexus still be affected?
Yes. These faults can leave the front passenger airbag deactivated, misclassified or unable to inflate, and the 2024 TX curtain airbag issue shows nothing before a crash. Check your VIN with a Lexus dealer instead of relying on dash warnings.
Are these the same as the Takata airbag recalls?
No. None of these four involves a rupturing inflator. They cover a broken seat belt tension sensor harness, an assembly problem in the LS front passenger seat, a short-circuited sensor, and curtain airbags that may not unroll as designed.
Can someone still ride in the front passenger seat?
Toyota does not restrict seating in any of these notices and does not tell owners to stop driving. It does warn the front passenger may be less protected in a crash until the free repair is done, so book it promptly.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.