Lexus LS Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 191 consumer complaints across the 14 model years of the Lexus LS (2002–2021) that have at least 5 complaints. 2007 has the most, with 45. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (60 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All LS model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | — | 1 | 35 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 15 | 8,300 | 2 | 60 | — | Rising |
| 2016 | 5 | 122,000 | 0 | 57 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 6 | — | 0 | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 5 | 32,500 | 0 | 79 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 9 | 135,000 | 0 | 49 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 8 | 40,000 | 0 | 69 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 13 | 58,000 | 0 | 60 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 43 | 75,000 | 1 | 62 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 45 | 99,090 | 1 | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 17 | 37,985 | 1 | 48 | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 5 | 20,175 | 1 | 44 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 8 | 37,919 | 1 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 7 | 78,670 | 0 | 31 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes60 32%
- Other or unknown32 17%
- Engine21 11%
- Electrical system19 10%
- Body and structure16 8.5%
- Vehicle speed control14 7.4%
- Fuel system14 7.4%
- Air bags12 6.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “A warning light indicated urgent - take your vehicle to the Lexus dealer - we took it to the toyota dealer - said airbag problem) charged us $175. And said it had to go to the Lexus dealer so we took it to santa barbara 75 miles away - they charged another $75. To say repair bill for air bag was over $7,000. (our Lexus 460 has only 145,000 miles on it).”
NHTSA complaint #11385704, filed 2020-12, 145,000 miles2010: “My sunroof glass exploded while driving on highway this morning. It is a single panel glass. The remaining of the glass curved upward and it makes me think that this is a spontaneous explosion . There are no other damages on the car. Outside temperature was 29 f this morning when it happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11150269, filed 2018-11, 43,475 miles2009: “I was driving and my steering locked up and my check VSC light came on, and check power steering system came on and told me to check with dealer.If someone can please contact me ASAP would be wonderful and appreciated..Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11445540, filed 2021-12, 16,000 milesOther Lexus models
1,448 complaintsLexus RX
962 complaintsLexus RX350
833 complaintsLexus RX300
719 complaintsLexus IS 250
718 complaintsLexus ES300
677 complaintsLexus ES
658 complaintsLexus IS
579 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology