The Lemon Index
201820215th generation (XF50)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 5,528 in the U.S. in 2019 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Lexus ES 502019 BMW 5 Series 392019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 52
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 24V275000 (airbags), 20V682000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Lexus sent dealers 167 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2018 2023 model year LC 500, and LC 500h, 2021 2023 model year LC 500c, 2018 2023 model…”?
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 5 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 →
In owners' words
The tires wore out on the outsides edges with only 15,000 miles of use on the car.
2019 Lexus LS owner · NHTSA complaint 11412925
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 167 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2018 2023 model year LC 500, and LC 500h, 2021 2023 model year LC 500c, 2018 2023 model…
- REVISION NOTICE May 10, 2018 Rev1: * Applicability has been updated to include 2019 model year…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
" The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500,…
Show all 4 recalls
- Stability control · recall issued 2019
The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus LS 500 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS 500 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS 500H 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS 500H 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,700–$3,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lexus LS year. 2019 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-ls/?y=2019" 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/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Lexus LS reliable?
We can't score it: only 5,528 were sold in the U.S. in 2019 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2019 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system (40%), wheels (20%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Lexus LS have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Lexus LS get?
21 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2019 Lexus LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Lexus LS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,700 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Lexus LS have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2019?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2007 drew the fewest (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