2021 Lexus LS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Lexus LS has a Caution verdict, ranking 9th out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 56. NHTSA lists 5 complaints and 1 recall, with Suspension, Wheels & Tires the top problem area at 40% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #9 of 19 LS years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Lexus LS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (40%)
- Electrical System1 (20%)
- Engine1 (20%)
- Other1 (20%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Uneven tire tread wear on the inner side of all four tires, reported to cause slipping.
- Original-equipment run-flat tires losing air pressure repeatedly even after dealer inspection found no defect.
- A tire developing a rotational noise later diagnosed as a slipped internal belt.
- Headlight assemblies showing outer lens delamination with condensation forming inside the sealed units despite no accident damage.
- The V6 twin-turbo engine suffering an internal failure that dealership technicians and a factory specialist could not diagnose or repair.
2021 Lexus LS recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Lexus LS reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 LS a Caution verdict among Lexus LS model years, with a complaint index of 56 and 5 complaints on file, ranking 9th out of 19 years.
- Does the 2021 Lexus LS have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 LS covering the front passenger airbag seat assembly on vehicles with the Executive Package.
- What is the most common problem on the 2021 Lexus LS?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues make up 40% of complaints, mostly involving tire wear and air pressure loss, followed by Electrical System and Engine issues at 20% each.
- How does the 2021 Lexus LS compare to other LS years?
- With a complaint index of 56, the 2021 LS ranks better than years like 2007 (index 100, Avoid) but worse than years such as 2013 (index 39, Good).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Lexus LS?
- The 2021 LS gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (20.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350.