Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Lexus VIN Decoder

Decode any 17-character Lexus VIN (1981 and newer): year, model, trim, engine, plant and safety equipment from NHTSA's official decoder, plus recall campaigns and owner complaints for that model year.

0 / 17
NHTSA vPIC dataResults in secondsNothing to sign up for
Brushed metal VIN plate on a dark dashboard with a streak of blue light across it

Popular Lexus models

All Lexus models →
ES3501,451 complaints · 11 recallsRX957 complaints · 10 recallsRX350838 complaints · 13 recallsRX300722 complaints · 2 recallsIS 250719 complaints · 8 recallsES300681 complaints · 5 recallsES667 complaints · 4 recallsIS596 complaints · 8 recallsRX330526 complaints · 5 recallsES330380 complaints · 2 recallsRX Hybrid341 complaints · 14 recallsLS400338 complaints · 2 recalls

Lexus in NHTSA’s records

33Lexus models in our data
11,296owner complaints filed with NHTSA
100recall campaigns covering these models

Latest Lexus recall campaigns

All Lexus recalls →
  1. Recall26V598000Sep 17, 2026 Loss of Steering Control from Cracked Steering KnuckleLexus RX, RX Hybrid, TX; Toyota Grand Highlander 617 vehicles
  2. Recall26V437000Jul 8, 2026 Rear Axle Carrier May BreakToyota Grand Highlander; Lexus TX 5,408 vehicles
  3. Recall26V341000May 27, 2026 Instrument Panel Display Failure/FMVSS 101, 305Lexus GX; Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid 81,893 vehicles

Reading a Lexus VIN

A Lexus VIN follows the same federal 17-character format as every vehicle sold in the US since the 1981 model year. The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier, positions 4–8 are Lexus's own codes for the model line, body, engine and restraints, position 9 is the check digit, position 10 is the model year and position 11 is the assembly plant.

Because positions 4–8 are maker-specific, the decoder above asks NHTSA's vPIC catalog to translate them, then matches the year, make and model to Lexus's recall campaigns and owner complaints. For a position-by-position walkthrough see how to read a VIN; for the year letter, use the model-year code chart.

Lexus VIN decoder FAQ

Where is the VIN on a Lexus?

On a Lexus car, SUV or light truck, look through the windshield at the driver's-side corner of the dashboard, or read the label on the driver's door jamb. It is also on the title, registration and insurance card. Our guide shows where to find the VIN on each body type.

How do I find the model year from a Lexus VIN?

Look at the 10th character. For cars, SUVs and light trucks, a letter in position 7 means the 2010–2039 cycle and a number means 1980–2009, so the same letter can point to two years 30 years apart.

Does a Lexus VIN decoder show recalls?

It shows the recall campaigns NHTSA lists for that Lexus model year (100 campaigns across the Lexus models in our data). Whether your specific vehicle still needs a repair is only shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup or a Lexus dealer.

Which Lexus models have the most complaints filed with NHTSA?

In our data: ES350 (1,451), RX (957), RX350 (838). Counts are owner reports across all model years, not failure rates; popular models draw more reports.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Data sources

Processing

  • We send your VIN to NHTSA vPIC and show the fields it returns; empty fields are hidden by default.
  • Recalls and complaints are matched by the decoded year, make and model, not by your VIN.

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

Reference text reviewed by the Vehicle Data Desk.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI