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Lexus LS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 41 owner complaints on the Lexus LS from 38 production runs; the worst run has 2, the typical one 1.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 41 complaints · 38 runs · 1994–2021 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported LS run is JT8UF11E2R0 (1994 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 26% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for LS model years 1990–2025.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lexus LS has 38 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 20% of every LS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Lexus LS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JT8UF11E2R0••••••19942——
JTHC5LFF6J5••••••20182——
JTHBL5EF6D5••••••20132——
JT8UF11E9R0••••••19941——
JT8UF22E6S0••••••19951——
JT8UF22E0S0••••••19951——
JT8BH22F2T0••••••19961——
JT8BH28F1V0••••••19971—1
JTHF51GF9M5••••••20211——
JT8BH28FXW0••••••19981——
JT8BH28F2X0••••••199911—
JT8UF11E1P0••••••20001——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 26 LS runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 142 LS VINs so far, most often 2004, 2018, 2008 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lexus LS the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 2013 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 2014 one 1.

FIG.02·Lexus LS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2021155—
20181.1109—
2015133—
2014133—
20131.354—
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 26% of everything Lexus LS owners report: Electrical System, 11 of 41 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Lexus LS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System11—1
Service Brakes9——
Engine5——
Forward Collision Avoidance4——
Unknown Or Other4——
Wheels4——
Vehicle Speed Control31—
Seat Belts2——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 18 recall campaigns on the Lexus LS; the 6 below cover build years 2004 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Lexus LS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
20V012000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2013–2019
24V275000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger2018–2021
14V647000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2007–2010
25V744000Back Over Prevention:display Function2023–2025
20V682000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2018–2020
06V096000Air Bags2004–2006
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

20V012000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2013: 7 years on the road before the recall.

The LS against its rivals

The LS draws 1.1 complaints per production run; the Acura RLX 1.8. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Lexus LS VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Lexus LS41381.12.4%
Acura RLX110601.81.8%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 41 reports on the Lexus LS, 2.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Lexus LS — complaint severity
OutcomeLexus LSAll vehicles
Complaints filed411,115,966
Involved a crash1 (2.4%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire1 (2.4%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported058,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 59% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lexus LS share of that is 41 complaints over 38 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Lexus LS
Recalls48 campaignsFuel economy28 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems44 complaintsCargo space16 cu ftUsed prices1,106 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1990–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Lexus LS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 41 NHTSA complaints from 38 LS runs and 18 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which LS production run has the most complaints?

JT8UF11E2R0, a 1994 build, with 2 complaints. The typical LS run has 1.1.

Which LS years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 2014 lightest at 1.

Does the LS get more complaints than the Acura RLX?

No: 1.1 complaints per production run for the LS against 1.8 for the Acura RLX.

How many LS complaints involve a crash?

2.4% of 41 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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