Toyota has announced a noncompliance safety recall for the Lexus LX, the company’s most luxurious and expensive SUV in the United States. The issue revolves around the front passenger-side airbag, which may not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury for anyone in that seat. While some airbag-related recalls can affect hundreds of thousands of models, a much smaller number of LX SUVs are affected by this one, but that doesn’t mean owners shouldn’t take it seriously. Here’s everything you need to know.
Lexus LX Airbag Recall
Lexus
The noncompliance safety recall affects 2022-2024 Lexus LX models, representing the first few model years of the existing LX generation. In total, 15,300 LX models in the U.S. are involved in this recall.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger seat may not function correctly in certain scenarios, which can affect the correct deployment of the airbag. This noncompliance with a federal safety standard has compelled Toyota to issue the recall.
Dealers will inspect affected components and replace the seat frame assembly free of charge, if necessary. Owner notification letters are due to be sent out by late May 2026, but anyone driving a 2022-2024 Lexus LX can contact the customer support line on 1-800-255-3987 before then for more information. Owners can also check if their vehicles are affected via the Toyota or National Highway Traffic Administration websites, using their Vehicle Identification Number.
Until vehicles are inspected, we recommend owners of Lexus LX vehicles seat passengers in another seat besides the front one, where possible.
Related: Lexus LX 600 Recalled Over Transmission Software That Could Cause Damage
What Is The Occupant Classification System (OCS)?
Lexus
The OCS system uses an array of sensors to detect the presence of a passenger in a specific seat. If no passenger is detected, the passenger-side airbag can be disabled. In many modern vehicles, the weight and size of an occupant can also be detected, which can dictate the deployment force of the airbag. This is important if, for instance, a smaller child is seated in front, as they’d be more vulnerable to the full force of an inflated airbag.
Toyota did not go into great detail about the precise problem, but it did mention replacing the seat frame assembly. A fault with this part has likely been found to interfere with the sensors’ ability to accurately classify the occupant, thereby leading to improper airbag deployment.
Although the Lexus LX has not been evaluated by the NHTSA or IIHS for crash safety, there’s no reason to doubt its safety credentials when all systems are functioning properly. It’s comprehensively equipped with a full suite of safety equipment, and smaller Lexus SUVs like the RX and NX have already achieved Top Safety Pick awards from the IIHS.
