The Lexus LFA spans 2012–2013 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 13 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Lexus LFA is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2012 to 2013 across multiple generations.
How to read a Lexus LFA VIN — every digit explained
Every Lexus LFA carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Lexus and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this LFA.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your LFA, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Lexus LFA have?
The Lexus LFA has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2012–2013. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2012 Lexus LFA recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Best and worst years for the Lexus LFA
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Lexus LFA — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Lexus LFA problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Lexus LFA — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Lexus LFA specifications & dimensions
The 2012 Lexus LFA measures 178″ long on a 103″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,263 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Lexus LFA window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 178″ | 75″ | 48″ | 103″ | 3,263 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Lexus LFA cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the LFA holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 86 cu ft of passenger volume and 14 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Lexus LFA tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Lexus LFA get?
The Lexus LFA returns up to 13 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $5,950/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2012 Lexus LFA (4.8L 10-cyl) gets 13 mpg combined and costs about $5,950/yr to fuel, emitting 684 g/mi CO₂ (smog 5/10) — about $18,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 LFA | 11 | 16 | $5,950 | 684 | 5/10 | 4.8L 10-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the LFA stacks up against the most fuel-efficient two-seaters, or calculate this LFA's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Lexus LFA have? Power & range
The Lexus LFA is offered with 1 powertrain — 4.8L 10-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.8L · 10-cyl | Automatic (S6) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Lexus LFA cost to own?
A Lexus LFA holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used LFA is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this LFA loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $29,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the LFA ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Lexus LFA safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the LFA yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Lexus LFA last?
A well-maintained Lexus LFA typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Lexus LFA’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this LFA’s VIN free →All Lexus LFA model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Lexus LFA — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 LFA | 0 | — | |
| 2012 LFA | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the LFA?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Lexus LFA.
How many recalls does the LFA have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2012–2013. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Lexus recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the LFA get?
Up to 13 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a LFA last?
A well-maintained LFA typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the LFA reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the LFA is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Lexus LFA warranty?
New Lexus models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 6 years / 70,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Lexus dealer.
Where is the Lexus LFA made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your LFA's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Lexus may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the LFA have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.