- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2021 Lexus LS Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2021 Lexus LS with NHTSA, most often about the wheels & tires (2) and the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2024 for the front passenger. For comparison, the 2020 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical LS year, for its age
#221 most complained-about 2021 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2021 Lexus LS problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2021 Lexus LS recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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5 complaints about the 2021 Lexus LS
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
My vehicle has the V6 twin turbo engine that's been recalled on other years and models and was diagnosed with an internal engine failure. The mechanic at the dealership couldn't figure out the problem so an expert TAS Lexus specialist was called in and couldn't figure out the problem either. They've had the car for 3 months and since they don't know how to fix it they are telling me to just replace the engine with a used engine at a cost of $25,000. The vehicle is just out of warranty and Toyota/Lexus is refusing...
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to cover any of the costs. The vehicle was serviced regularly so this shouldn't have happened. This is a common problem with this model of engine. I believe it's a design flaw as this model engine is assembled at different plants/locations and over long periods of time that would indicate a design flaw and not due to Toyota's official stance of debris left in engine block during assembly. Toyota should recall and replace all these engines at no charge to the owner of the vehicle.
Both headlight assemblies on a 2021 Lexus LS 500 show external lens delamination, along with visible condensation inside the sealed units. The vehicle has been garage kept, has not been involved in any accidents, and has no external damage to the headlight assemblies. The outer lens surfaces are deteriorating, and moisture is present inside components that are designed to be sealed. The condition has progressively worsened over time. These issues reduce headlight clarity and light output, negatively affecting forward visibility during nighttime driving and creating a potential safety hazard.
I was driving and my sunroof exploded sounding like a gun shot. The sunroof shattered and was blown apart on all 4 sides. Glass fell in my face and all over me
OEM Bridgestone Turanza EL440 RFT 245/45 R20 These tires have not retained recommended air pressure for more than a few weeks at a time since new. Inspection earlier this year by a Bridgestone dealer found no problem with a tire that had lost 5 psi in a week. The tire subsequently began making a rotational noise that the Lexus dealer diagnosed as a slipped belt. Having replaced the defective tire, I now have the same noise symptoms arising in another tire. The dealer can find no reason for the chronic air loss in...
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the two left side tires which, given the developing rotational noise, I expect will soon have similar belt failure. Dealer personnel admit that these tires are problematic. Bridgestone customer service has been unresponsive.
The car slipped because of tread wear on the inner side of all four tires. Car has manufacturer installed tires.
Lexus LS: every year compared
All LS years2021 Lexus LS vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lexus LS | 5 | 1 | F | |
| 2021 Lexus ES | 28 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus ES 350 | 5 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus GX 460 | 4 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus ES 300H | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus IS | 2 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus LC | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus LS 500 | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2021 Lexus LS
Does the 2021 Lexus LS have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Lexus LS: front passenger (April 2024). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lexus LS?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the wheels & tires (2), engine & cooling (1), lights (1).
How many complaints has the 2021 Lexus LS had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 14, 2024 and the latest on May 26, 2026. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2021 Lexus LS a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 21 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Lexus LS year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Lexus LS years have the most complaints?
2021 (5), 1994 (4), 1999 (3). See every Lexus LS year compared.
What should I do if my 2021 Lexus LS has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data