Lexus LS 500: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy

The Lexus LS 500 has 8 model year(s) in the federal index and no scored complaint record yet, so this page carries the catalogue entry and the years we hold rather than a verdict.

Computed by MotorJury from NHTSA and EPA public records · method · updated 2026-10-04

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Year-by-year data table

YearScoreVerdict Running cost / yrNHTSA complaintsRecalls
202590BUY$3,99910
2024—DATA PENDING$4,12000
2023—DATA PENDING$4,26000
2022—DATA PENDING$4,40000
202193BUY$4,54410
2020—DATA PENDING$4,53000
201992BUY$4,67830
2018—DATA PENDING$4,81000

Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.

What goes wrong on the Lexus LS 500

Across every LS 500 model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.

  • Unknown Or Other1 complaints across all LS 500 years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
  • Service Brakes1 complaints across all LS 500 years · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles$580–$1,140
  • Seats1 complaints across all LS 500 years · typical job: Seat frame, track or occupancy-sensor repair$500–$1,200
  • Seat Belts1 complaints across all LS 500 years · typical job: Pretensioner or retractor replacement$360–$800
  • Power Train1 complaints across all LS 500 years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
  • Fuel/Propulsion System1 complaints across all LS 500 years · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement$680–$1,620

Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.

FAQ

What is the most common Lexus LS 500 problem?

1 of the complaints filed against the LS 500 across all its model years sit in the Unknown Or Other group — more than any other component.

Compare with

2025 Volvo XC60 B5BUY2024 Land Rover Range Rover VelarBUY2024 Porsche CayenneBUY2024 Acura IntegraBUY

Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04