Lexus LS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus LS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2003 drew the fewest (1) and the 2007 the most (45).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Structure | — | — |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Engine | — | 21–28 |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | Seats | — | 21–25 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
1 | 2 | Air bags | — | 21–25 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 18–20 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 18–20 |
| 2005 | 5 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 18–20 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 18–20 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 18–20 |
| 2021 | 5 | 1 | Engine | — | 21–28 |
| 2002 | 7 | 0 | Structure | — | — |
| 2004 | 8 | 1 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2010 | 8 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 18–21 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 18–20 |
| 2009 | 13 | 0 | Engine | — | 18–21 |
| 2018 | 14 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 21–28 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
17 | 1 | Tires | — | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
43 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 19–21 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
45 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus LS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Lexus LS: 45 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 19 (42%); Air bags 5 (11%); Electrical system 5 (11%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 100,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2008 Lexus LS: 43 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 21 (49%); Structure 5 (12%); Vehicle speed control 5 (12%).
Reports mention 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2006 Lexus LS: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Tires 5 (29%); Vehicle speed control 5 (29%); Air bags 2 (12%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,970 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Lexus LS years with the fewest complaints
2003 Lexus LS: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 1 (100%).
Reports mention 2 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Lexus LS: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 2 (67%); Engine 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus LS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2007 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 100,000 |
| 2006 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 40,970 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lexus LS recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2025 model years; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- Instrument Panel Failure (2024–2025 model years; 591,377 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2025; 25V595000)
- FUEL DELIVERY PIPE (2007–2008 model years; 214,570 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2009; 09V020000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023 model year; 18,616 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2024; 24V124000)
- Tire Sidewall Reinforcement Layer May Crack (2018 model year; 6,296 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2019; 19V134000)
All 7 Lexus LS recall campaigns · Lexus LS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lexus LS years FAQ
Which Lexus LS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2003 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lexus LS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2008 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lexus LS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (64 of 199 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus LS have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the Lexus LS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus LS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.