YearToAvoid

2021 Lexus LS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

69/100

#5 most-complained of 14 LS years

The 2021 Lexus LS has 5 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and a Complaint Index of 69, ranking 5th worst out of 14 model years. Its verdict is Caution, with suspension, wheels and tires the top reported problem area at 40% of complaints.

Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
20.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2021 Lexus LS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (40%)
  2. Electrical System1 (20%)
  3. Engine1 (20%)
  4. Other1 (20%)

What owners report

  • Uneven tread wear on the inner side of all four factory-installed tires caused a loss of traction while driving.
  • OEM Bridgestone Turanza tires reportedly failed to hold recommended air pressure and later developed a rotational noise diagnosed as a slipped belt.
  • Both headlight assemblies showed exterior lens delamination and visible condensation forming inside the sealed units despite no accident damage.
  • The V6 twin turbo engine reportedly suffered an internal failure that dealership technicians and a specialist could not diagnose or repair.
2021 Lexus LS complaints: complaints filed per month1Jan 2024Nov 2024Apr 2025Apr 2026May 2026
5 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2024 to May 2026; peak Jan 2024 (1).

2021 Lexus LS recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V275000Apr 17, 2024Airbags509 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.

2021 Lexus LS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,350
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.

2021 compared with other LS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019No verdict151124.5
2020No verdict00124.5
2021Caution695124
2023No verdict311225
2024No verdict80223.5

All Lexus LS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Lexus LS reliable?
NHTSA lists 5 complaints and 1 recall for the 2021 Lexus LS, giving it a Complaint Index of 69 and a Caution verdict compared to other LS model years.
What is the top problem area for the 2021 Lexus LS?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top reported problem area, accounting for 40% of complaints, followed by Electrical System and Engine at 20% each.
Does the 2021 Lexus LS have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Lexus LS, covering an airbag issue tied to the front passenger seat assembly in vehicles with the Executive Package.
How does the 2021 Lexus LS compare to other LS model years?
With a Complaint Index of 69, the 2021 LS ranks 5th worst among 14 model years, better than 2016 (100) and 2018 (92) but worse than 2013 (46) and 2019 (15).
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Lexus LS?
The EPA rates the 2021 Lexus LS at 24 mpg combined, 20.5 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.