The Lemon Index
201920235th generation (XF50)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 3,739 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Lexus ES 462021 BMW 5 Series 652021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 81
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 recall 24V275000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Lexus sent dealers 95 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…”?
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 3 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 car slipped because of tread wear on the inner side of all four tires. Car has manufacturer installed tires.
2021 Lexus LS owner · NHTSA complaint 11565488
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 95 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- 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.
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 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 RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS 500h 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS 500h 4 DR RWD | 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. 2021 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-ls/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Lexus LS reliable?
We can't score it: only 3,739 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wheels (33%) and tires (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus LS have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus LS get?
21 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2021 Lexus LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 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 2021 Lexus LS have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2021?
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