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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.

TOP PICK
2020
Buyer Score 92/100
26
Years Analyzed
32
Total Recalls
379
Total Complaints
61
Reported Injuries
1
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Lexus LS

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK6yr old
2020
Strong Buy · 92/100
Reliability95/100
Value window87/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK5yr old
2021
Strong Buy · 91/100
Reliability93/100
Value window88/100
Recalls1
Complaints2
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
#3 PICK3yr old
2023
Strong Buy · 89/100
Reliability95/100
Value window78/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Lexus LS Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2008

3 recalls · 88 complaints

4 reported injuries

Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES

#2 WORST
2007

3 recalls · 71 complaints

1 reported injury

Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES

#3 WORST
2001

1 recall · 29 complaints

15 reported injuries

Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

Lexus LS — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600——
100
40
79
Excellent
202510——
95
55
81
Excellent
202420——
90
68
82
Excellent
202310——
95
78
89
Excellent
202200——
100
85
95
Excellent
202112——
93
88
91
Excellent
202010——
95
87
92
Excellent
2019321—
83
83
83
Good
2018312——
73
77
74
Good
201700——
100
70
90
Excellent
201608——
92
63
82
Excellent
201503——
97
56
83
Excellent
2014010——
90
50
76
Excellent
2013012——
88
45
73
Good
201203——
97
41
77
Excellent
201106——
94
38
74
Excellent
20102204—
68
38
58
Good
2009218——
72
38
60
Good
20083884—
53
38
48
Avoid
20073711—
55
38
49
Avoid
20061199—
72
38
60
Caution
200521861
61
38
53
Caution
2004418——
62
38
54
Good
20031137—
79
38
65
Good
200212714—
61
38
53
Caution
200112915—
59
38
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.

SERVICE BRAKES
70
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
35
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
34
ENGINE
19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
17
STRUCTURE:BODY
15
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
12

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 95).

Best: 2022
2022 · 952020 · 922021 · 912023 · 892019 · 832024 · 822025 · 812026 · 792018 · 74

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 90).

Best: 2017
2017 · 902015 · 832016 · 822014 · 762013 · 73

Pre-2013

Older LS models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2012 · 772011 · 742003 · 652006 · 602009 · 602010 · 582004 · 542002 · 53

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year LS to buy?+

The 2020 Lexus LS scores highest on our Buyer Score (92/100) — combining a reliability score of 95/100 with a value score of 87/100. 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 3 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

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Lexus LS.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar luxury vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every LS year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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