AI DamageLexus LS: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Lexus LS across 10 model years: 16 owner complaints and 142 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Wheels 25% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
- Wheels: 4 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 117.
- Engine: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Tires: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.4 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2018–2026
- 4 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1990–2000
- 4.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2001–2006
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2007–2017
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl 2018–2025
- 5 L · hybrid · 8 cyl 2008–2016
- automatic, 4-speed 1990–1997
- automatic, 5-speed 1998–2003
- automatic, 6-speed 2004–2006
- automatic, 8-speed 2007–2017
- automatic, 10-speed 2018–2026
- CVT 2010–2025
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 117 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 148 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My vehicle has the V6 twin turbo engine that’s been recalled on other years and models and was diagnosed with an internal engine failure. The mechanic at the dealership couldn’t figure out the problem so an expert TAS Lexus specialist was called in and couldn’t figure out the problem either.
Both headlight assemblies on a 2021 Lexus LS 500 show external lens delamination, along with visible condensation inside the sealed units. The vehicle has been garage kept, has not been involved in any accidents, and has no external damage to the headlight assemblies.
Large lump/lumps on the lower left / bottom portion of the driver's seat, protruding from the seat bottom closest to the lower bolster. As a direct result my left leg loses its circulation, it causes numbness and muscle pain in thigh and groin due to this.
OEM Bridgestone Turanza EL440 RFT 245/45 R20 These tires have not retained recommended air pressure for more than a few weeks at a time since new. Inspection earlier this year by a Bridgestone dealer found no problem with a tire that had lost 5 psi in a week.
All 4 tires have tread wear on the inner side. Took it to lexus they said no remedy is available ended up selling the car. May cause slip and accident
The car slipped because of tread wear on the inner side of all four tires. Car has manufacturer installed tires.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2018 – 2023 model year LC 500, and LC 500h, 2021 – 2023 model year LC 500c, 2018 – 2023 model year LS…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE Month ##, 2026
- During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce…
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life
- OBSOLETE NOTICE June 18, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE June 15, 2026
- Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition
- Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 10, 2026
- The 2026 model year Lexus vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor…
- During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce…
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.