The Lemon Index
200820104th generation (XF40)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,334 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Lexus ES 992009 BMW 5 Series2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V647000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 10V218000 (steering) 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.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Lexus sent dealers 199 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…”?
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 2 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 →
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 199 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
- Information on an improved transmission fluid
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
- Steering · recall issued 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 LEXUS LS460 AND LS600 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 20, 2009 THROUGH MAY 13, 2010.
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 $3,600–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus LS year. 2009 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=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Lexus LS reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,334 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (50%) and brakes (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus LS have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Lexus LS get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Lexus LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 50% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Lexus LS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Lexus LS have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2009?
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