Short answer
Among Lexus LS model years through 2024, 2002, 2003, 2011 and 3 more years have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2018 and 2019 have the most (4). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Lexus LS: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 25 (2002–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 17
- Fewest recalls
- 2002, 2003, 2011 and 3 more years (0)
- Most recalls
- 2018 and 2019 (4)
- Most recalled system
- Fuel system, gasoline (13)
Lexus LS Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 3 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Electrical system, Power train |
| 2024 | 2 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Electrical system |
| 2023 | 2 | Not rated | Back over prevention |
| 2022 | 1 | Not rated | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2021 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2020 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2019 | 4 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags, Service brakes |
| 2018 | 4 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags, Tires |
| 2017 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2016 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2015 | 1 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2014 | 1 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2013 | 1 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2012 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2011 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2010 | 2 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Steering |
| 2009 | 2 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Steering |
| 2008 | 3 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2007 | 3 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2006 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2005 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2004 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train |
| 2003 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2002 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20260 recalls
- 20253 recalls
- 20242 recalls
- 20232 recalls
- 20221 recall
- 20212 recalls
- 20202 recalls
- 20194 recalls
- 20184 recalls
- 20170 recalls
- 20160 recalls
- 20151 recall
- 20141 recall
- 20131 recall
- 20120 recalls
- 20110 recalls
- 20102 recalls
- 20092 recalls
- 20083 recalls
- 20073 recalls
- 20061 recall
- 20051 recall
- 20043 recalls
- 20030 recalls
- 20020 recalls
Lexus LS: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Lexus LS recalls are fuel system, gasoline (13), air bags (7), back over prevention (4), engine and engine cooling (4) and electrical system (2). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: Lexus LS Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Lexus LS?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2002, 2003, 2011 and 3 more years are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Lexus LS model years have the most recalls?
2018 and 2019 have the most, with 4 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "LS", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy