YearToAvoid

2009 Lexus LS460 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#6 most-complained of 11 LS460 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Lexus LS460 has 10 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 50 out of 100 — #6 highest of 11 LS460 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (8 complaints, 80% of the total).

Complaints
10
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18.5
16 city / 23.5 hwy

Top 2009 Lexus LS460 problems

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

  1. Brakes8 (80%)
  2. Engine2 (20%)
  3. Fuel System1 (10%)
  4. Other1 (10%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (10%)
2009 Lexus LS460 complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2012Nov 2015Apr 2018Jul 2018Jan 2019
13 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2012 to Oct 2021; peak Nov 2018 (3).

2009 Lexus LS460 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V647000Oct 15, 2014Fuel System422,509 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

  2. NHTSA 10V218000May 21, 2010Steering3,800 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 lexus ls460 and ls600 vehicles manufactured from august 20, 2009 through may 13, 2010. A programming change of the steering control ecu for the variable gear ratio steering (vgrs) system can cause improper activation of the steering system protection logic designed to protect the system when larger than normal steering inputs are applied at a fully turned position.

    Risk: Improper activation of the steering system protection logic can cause the steering wheel to become off-centered up to 90 degrees. This may occur after the driver has fully turned the steering wheel in one direction then quickly attempts to turn it back to the center position. Should this occur while driving, the risk of a crash is increased.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and lexus dealers will replace the steering control ecu free of charge. The safety recall began on july 12, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2009 Lexus LS460 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
18.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,325
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.

2009 compared with other LS460 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020072008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid9074219.5
2008Avoid10079219
2009Caution5010218.5
2010Avoid8017218.5
2011Good305018.5

All Lexus LS460 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Lexus LS460 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Lexus LS460 ranks #6 of 11 among LS460 model years (Complaint Index 50/100, verdict: Caution). It has 10 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lexus LS460?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (8 complaints), engine (2 complaints), and fuel system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 81,223 miles.
Does the 2009 Lexus LS460 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2009 Lexus LS460, most recently reported 2014, covering fuel system and steering.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Lexus LS460?
EPA rates the 2009 Lexus LS460 at 18.5 MPG combined (16 city / 23.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,325. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.