The Lemon Index
20063rd generation (XF30)
Not enough data. Only 7 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Lexus ES 1632005 BMW 5 Series2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 82
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights) and 06V096000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lexus sent dealers 90 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission or park/neutral switch installation information”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 7 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 8K miles (3K to 13K km) on the car (6 of all 7 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Wheel center cap became loose and fell off; dealer and manufacturer refuse to honor new car warranty.
2005 Lexus LS owner · NHTSA complaint 10145403
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 90 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission or park/neutral switch installation information
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information regarding transmission and/or park neutral
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Airbags · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus LS year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-ls/?y=2005" title="Lexus LS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-ls/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Lexus LS reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (29%), wheels (29%) and speed control (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Lexus LS have?
2 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Lexus LS get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Lexus LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Lexus LS cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Lexus LS have?
4.3L 8-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works