2021 Lexus LS Passenger Air Bag Recall (24V275)

Recall 24V275 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Lexus LS in recall 24V275?

" The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Is it safe to drive a 2021 LS with recall 24V275?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the front passenger.

Which vehicles are included in recall 24V275?

Recall 24V275 covers 509 vehicles: 2021 Lexus LS.

NHTSA lists 509 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the LS passenger air bag recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.

When was recall 24V275 announced?

Toyota Motor Corporation reported recall 24V275 to NHTSA on April 17, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 7, 2024.

This recall was filed 29 months ago. If your LS was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my LS is part of recall 24V275?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V275 is open on your LS, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 24V275000 is open on your LS, it will be listed there, along with Lexus recall number 24LA03. You can also ask any Lexus dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.

What should LS owners do about recall 24V275?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 24V275000 applies to your LS.
2. Call a Lexus dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any front passenger symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are LS owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the air bags.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the air bags have been filed since recall 24V275 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 5 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Lexus LS: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags

Can recall 24V275 make my LS a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this front passenger recall means their LS qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

An air bag warning light that keeps coming back after a recall repair is worth documenting. Air bag defects are safety defects, and California law can require fewer repair attempts for them.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the LS went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 24V275