2005 Lexus LS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Lexus LS has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 44, ranked 11th out of 19 model years. NHTSA lists only 5 complaints and 1 recall for airbags, well below later years like 2007 (complaint index 100) and 2008 (94).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 44/100
- #11 of 19 LS years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2005 Lexus LS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other2 (40%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (20%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Wheel center caps have come loose and fallen off, with one owner reporting the dealer would not honor the warranty repair, at 38,500 miles.
- The automatic door-closing system has failed on some cars, grabbing the door but then being unable to fully close it, even manually, at 79,526 miles.
- When the door-closing system fails, owners describe the rear side passenger door as impossible to securely shut.
2005 Lexus LS recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V096000Apr 3, 2006Airbags133 vehicles
Air bags
On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the SRS system is activated during a crash.
Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
2005 Lexus LS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other LS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Lexus LS reliable?
- Compared to other LS model years, 2005 rates Good, with a complaint index of 44 and only 5 NHTSA complaints, ranking 11th out of 19 years tracked.
- Does the 2005 Lexus LS have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 06V096000) covers airbag inflators that may contain an insufficient amount of propellant in the side, curtain shield, or knee airbag assemblies.
- What problems do 2005 Lexus LS owners report?
- Owners reported issues split evenly across structure and body, suspension, and transmission and powertrain, each accounting for 20% of complaints, including a malfunctioning automatic door-closing system and a loose wheel center cap.
- How does the 2005 Lexus LS compare to later LS years?
- The 2005 model has a much lower complaint index (44) than 2006 through 2009, which range from 78 to 100 and all carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Lexus LS?
- EPA rates the 2005 Lexus LS at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.