Recall 19V288 affects 564 2019 Lexus Es vehicles for an improperly installed driver knee air bag. Repair is free at any franchised Lexus dealer.
Lexus is recalling 564 2019 Es vehicles because the driver knee air bag assembly on the lower instrument panel has an installation defect. In a crash, the knee air bag can deploy incorrectly and increase the risk of injury, and Lexus dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver knee air bag in the 2019 Lexus Es sits in the lower instrument panel, near the driver's knees. Its job is to deploy during a qualifying crash and help manage the driver's lower-body movement, so the main air bags and seat belt work as designed.
On affected vehicles, the outboard lower attachment tab for that knee air bag assembly was installed behind the tightening joint on the instrument panel brace. That changes how the assembly is held in place. If the air bag deploys from that position, deployment is affected because the mounting point is not where Lexus designed it to be.
There is no warning sign before failure. The installation issue is hidden behind the lower instrument panel, so an owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a symptom during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Lexus Es | air bag system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 564 |
Not every 2019 Lexus Es sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver knee air bag deploys incorrectly in a crash, the driver has a higher risk of injury. Keep normal seat belt use in place, avoid delaying the recall work, and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Lexus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Lexus Es is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lexus dealer to schedule the free driver knee air bag inspection and replacement if needed.
- Bring the recall notice if Lexus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V288 and recall code KLD or KLE when you call.
- Complete the dealer repair so the knee air bag can deploy properly in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lexus technician inspects the driver knee air bag assembly mounted in the lower instrument panel and replaces it if the inspection shows it was installed incorrectly. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Lexus has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. Ask Lexus customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documented expenses under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 10, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 10, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 11, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 29, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 8, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V288?
Recall 19V288 covers 564 2019 Lexus Es vehicles with a driver knee air bag assembly that was improperly installed in the lower instrument panel. If the knee air bag does not deploy properly in a crash, injury risk increases. Lexus dealers will inspect and replace the assembly for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2019 Lexus Es is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V288. If it is included, contact a franchised Lexus dealer to schedule the driver knee air bag inspection. Reference recall 19V288, or Lexus recall numbers KLD and KLE, when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Lexus dealer will inspect the driver knee air bag assembly and replace it if necessary, with parts and labor covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is increased injury in a crash. The driver knee air bag assembly was installed incorrectly, which affects proper deployment in a crash. The free dealer repair is an inspection and replacement of the driver knee air bag assembly if needed.
When did Lexus start this recall repair?
The recall repair began May 8, 2019. Because the repair is available, a franchised Lexus dealer can inspect the driver knee air bag assembly and replace it if necessary. Check your VIN before scheduling so the dealer can confirm recall eligibility.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V288000 |
|---|---|
| Lexus customer service | 1-800-255-3987 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V288 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V288000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →