VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Lexus LS2001–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Lexus LS
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Lexus LS Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 88 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
2 recalls · 71 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
1 recall · 29 complaints
15 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the LS became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Lexus LS — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 84 | 41 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 63 | 56 | 61 | Good |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 77 | 69 | 74 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 77 | 79 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 84 | 86 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 77 | 89 | 81 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 77 | 88 | 81 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 59 | 84 | 68 | Good |
| 2018 | 4 | 13 | — | — | 59 | 78 | 66 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 84 | 71 | 79 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 8 | — | — | 71 | 64 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 77 | 57 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 59 | 51 | 56 | Good |
| 2013 | 1 | 12 | — | — | 59 | 46 | 54 | Good |
| 2012 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 84 | 42 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 77 | 39 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 1 | 21 | 4 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2009 | 1 | 18 | — | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2008 | 2 | 88 | 4 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 2 | 71 | 1 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 0 | 19 | 9 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Caution |
| 2005 | 1 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Caution |
| 2004 | 3 | 18 | — | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 13 | 7 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2002 | 1 | 27 | 14 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Caution |
| 2001 | 1 | 29 | 15 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Lexus LS Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the LS compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 85).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 79).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year LS to buy?+
The 2022 Lexus LS scores highest on our Buyer Score (85/100) — combining a reliability score of 84/100 with a value score of 86/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which LS years have the most problems?+
The 2008, 2007, 2001 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 LS leads with 2 recalls and 88 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common LS problems?+
The most frequently reported Lexus LS issues involve: SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.