The Lexus ES 250 is the AWD four-cylinder ES, introduced for 2021. It is generally a calm, reliable sedan, but the first model year collected more electronics and ADAS complaints than 2023-2024. This guide uses NHTSA and owner-report patterns to rank ES 250 years.
For generations, engines, and ownership notes in one place, see the Lexus ES 250 hub.
Related: Lexus ES 350 years to avoid, Lexus ES 330 years to avoid.
At a glance
- Worst years
- 2021
- Best years
- 2023
- 2024
- Top failure
- First-year AWD 2.5 teething and infotainment/ADAS complaints on 2021
- Always do before buying
- VIN recalls, AWD service history, and a thorough ADAS/camera test on any 2021
How we rated the best and worst Lexus ES 250 years
Ratings were drawn from NHTSA complaints and recalls, CarComplaints per-year defect counts and PainRank, and specialist shop patterns. CarComplaints ranks a “worst year” by repair cost and mileage-at-failure, while NHTSA shows raw complaint volume; the two often point to different model years and are attributed separately.
Our years to avoid methodology weights both sources without letting either one dominate the final verdict.
| Lexus ES 250 Generation | Best Lexus ES 250 Years | Worst Lexus ES 250 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 7th gen ES 250 AWD (2021-present) | 2023, 2024 | 2021 |
Every Lexus ES 250 model year ranked
| Model Year | Generation | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7th gen | Avoid | First ES 250 AWD year; highest early complaint volume |
| 2022 | 7th gen | OK/Mixed | Updates in progress |
| 2023-2024 | 7th gen | Best | Fewer accumulated complaints; same 2.5 AWD package |
| 2025 | 7th gen | OK/Mixed | Newest; dataset still thin |
Most common Lexus ES 250 problems
The problems below cover documented, recurring issues found in NHTSA data and owner complaint records, evaluated under our editorial guidelines so claims are tied to verifiable patterns rather than a single anecdote.
1. First-year AWD and electronics (2021)
The ES 250 brought AWD to the ES line with a 2.5-liter four. First-year cars collected more infotainment, camera, and ADAS complaints than later years. Confirm every driver-aid works.
2. Infotainment and trackpad/touchscreen lag
Lexus’s interface improved mid-cycle. 2021 cars are the ones owners complain about most. Pair your phone and use nav for the whole drive.
3. Brake and ADAS false warnings
Forward-collision and lane-keep complaints appear in early filings. A software update may be open — run the VIN.
4. Routine 2.5 maintenance
The 2.5 is a known Toyota four. Oil-change history matters more than drama. Skip any car with a mystery service gap.
Which Lexus ES 250 years should you avoid?
Treat 2021 as the year to avoid unless recalls are closed and a PPI is clean. Prefer 2023-2024.
| Generation | Model Years | Verdict | Main Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES 250 | 2021 | Avoid | See problems section |
What are the best Lexus ES 250 years to buy?
The best Lexus ES 250 years to buy are 2023, 2024. Those years sit after the worst complaint clusters and still leave you the same core vehicle.
Most reliable Lexus ES 250 years: 2023, 2024
Lexus ES 250 pre-purchase checklist
Before signing on any used Lexus ES 250, work through these model-specific checks.
- Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker and confirm every open campaign is closed.
- VIN recalls, AWD service history, and a thorough ADAS/camera test on any 2021.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist who sees this model weekly, not a generalist who sees one a year.
- Ask for complete service records. A missing folder on a Land Rover or a first-year Lexus is not a bargain; it is a risk.
- Test every camera, sensor, and infotainment function on a long drive.
Better alternatives to consider
If the Lexus ES 250 years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:
- Lexus ES 350
- Toyota Camry AWD
- Genesis G80
Is the Lexus ES 250 worth buying?
Yes. The ES 250 is one of the lower-risk Lexus sedans if you skip the first AWD year or buy a 2021 that has already had its campaigns done. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall database and verify the full service history before any offer.