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Lexus LS430Model year report

2005 Lexus LS430 Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
48,800miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Lexus LS430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2005 Lexus LS430. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 12 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and brakes (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,800 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 67 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “Two months ago I had a sudden acceleration event in my Lexus LS430, 2005. I was ina museum parking garage, my wife got out, I needed to reposition to not be 'on the line'. I backed up, pressed the gas very lightly and the car accelerated out of control. I slammed on the brakes and was able to halt it one-two inches from the wall. Initially, I blamed myself but then thought it might have been my floor mat and removed it. My wife remains terrified to this day. …”

NHTSA complaint #10303764, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles

Air bags: “I have owned car since new. All service performed by same dealer on time. All repairs done as suggested by dealer. Air bags recall performed in 2006. New brakes within 6 months. Driving to my wife s work (airport) on same route for 38 years (37 miles from residence). I observed red light and cars stopped 100 yards ahead 1/4 mile from destination. I applied brakes several times to no avail. I told my passengers that I could not stop and applied brakes several times again. Brakes did not go to floor. It felt as though cruise control was on - it wasn't. …”

NHTSA complaint #10566807, filed 2014-03, 142,350 miles

Brakes: “As I was driving along the road, two miles from my house in a residential area. The car suddenly and drastically began to accelerate. I remember vividly pressing the brake pedal multiple times but it failed to decelerate the car at all. Afraid as I was, I ceased to step on the brake or the gas pedal, the car continued accelerating and kept gaining momentum. At that point, I was trying to avoid hitting the cars in front and incoming cars from the other direction of the road. I drove for about a half mile on and off the right side curbside, as clipping mailboxes along the way. …”

NHTSA complaint #10423235, filed 2011-09

Other or unknown: “I am the original owner of a Lexus LS430. When I purchased the car, I noticed the back end slid (like the gx) especially on a slick or wet pavement. I was told it was my tires. Three sets later I still encounter it. It wasn't till I read the gx accounts I realized I suffer the same condition. The car won't turn over but it does slide into another lane if I'm not careful and start very slowly.”

NHTSA complaint #10325998, filed 2010-04, 50 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 70,034 miles.

25%0–1013%10–2513%25–5025%50–7519%75–1006%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 48,800 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2005201062012201420182022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Lexus LS430 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
LS 430 RWD4.3L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162318$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2005 Lexus LS430 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 67 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 67 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus LS430

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20052148,8000—18—Falling
20042875,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20032345,0000—19—Stable
20023059,1560—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20015260,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus LS430 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Lexus LS430 have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2005 Lexus LS430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Lexus LS430 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 12 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2005 Lexus LS430 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Lexus LS430 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Lexus LS430 (LS 430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Lexus LS430 reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,800 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 70,034 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.