Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Lexus LS VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 19 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1990–2026 cover that year.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Lexus has sold the LS in the US since the 1990 model year, and there have been five generations. The XF10 came first (1990–1994); XF20 (1995–2000), XF30 (2001–2006), XF40 (2007–2017) followed, and the XF50 took over for 2018–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 19 vehicle recall campaigns and 978 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the XF40. Its 2007 and 2008 model years alone account for 278 of them, with owners bringing up brakes most often and engine and cooling after that. EPA rates the XF10 at 18 mpg combined, while the XF50, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 21–28 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Five generations since the 1990 model year. The XF40 (2007–2017) has the most owner complaints, the XF50 (2018–2026) the most recall campaigns (10).
Photo: Enigma3542002 at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 190 NHTSA complaints.
JT8UF11E?R0······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1994 Lexus LS 400, built in Tahara, AichiMentions in 160 NHTSA complaints.
JT8BH28F?W0······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1998 Lexus LS 400, built in Tahara, AichiMentions in 197 NHTSA complaints.
JTHBN30F?10······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2001 Lexus LS 430, built in Tahara, AichiMentions in 396 NHTSA complaints.
JTHBL46F?85······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2008 Lexus LS 460, built in Tahara, AichiMentions in 35 NHTSA complaints.
JTHC51FF?J5······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2018 Lexus LS 500, built in Tahara, JapanNHTSA has 19 campaigns on file for LS model years 1990–2026, and the 2018 and 2019 show up in the most (4 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Complaints peak with the 2007 (139 of 978). Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 35 complaints, 2018–2026.
Wheels leads the XF50 list with 7 mentions, yet no earlier LS generation has it among its six most-mentioned areas. Its first model year, the 2018, drew more complaints than any other (18 of 35).
Mentions in 396 complaints, 2007–2017.
The 2007 is the outlier. On its own it has 139 of the XF40’s 396 complaints (35%), more than any other LS model year, and owners across the generation name brakes most often (157 mentions), then engine and cooling (45).
Mentions in 197 complaints, 2001–2006.
No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the XF30’s, at 43 of 197 (21.8%, against 12.5% across all LS model years). Its first model year, the 2001, drew more complaints than any other (57 of 197). Owners across the generation name structure and body most often (47 mentions), then speed control / acceleration (37).
Mentions in 160 complaints, 1995–2000.
Complaints peak with the 1998 (47 of 160). Owners across the generation name speed control / acceleration most often (41 mentions), then electrical system (39).
Mentions in 190 complaints, 1990–1994.
Electrical system owns this generation. Its 100 mentions are more than twice the next area, interior lighting (15). Of the five XF10 model years, the 1994 (72) and 1993 (65) drew the most complaints.
Complaint counts drop sharply after 2008, so the data is thin. The 2008 draws by far the most NHTSA complaints, and about half describe brake problems, including a failing brake actuator that brings warning lights, a knocking or ticking sound when braking and a pedal that sinks. CarComplaints lists melting dashboards and door panels, a knocking sound when braking and a blank navigation screen for 2008, a failed brake actuator and noisy brakes for 2009, and an ABS light with loss of control while braking for 2010. Recalls cover a fuel pressure sensor that may leak and engine valve springs on 2007–2008 models. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Hybrid LS versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 6 · fires 1 · injuries 6
Crashes 6 · fires 1 · injuries 5
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 5 · fires 1 · injuries 3
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 4
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 4 · fires 1 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 2 · injuries 3
Crashes 7 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 9 · fires 0 · injuries 103
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 12 · fires 1 · injuries 24
Crashes 8 · fires 1 · injuries 21
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 11
Crashes 5 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 9 · fires 1 · injuries 7 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 8 · fires 1 · injuries 5
Crashes 6 · fires 2 · injuries 4
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 99 LS versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 314 g/mi, for the 2021 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
18 mpg · CO₂ 494 g/mi
19 mpg · CO₂ 468 g/mi
18–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–494 g/mi
18–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–494 g/mi
21–28 mpg · CO₂ 314–434 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2001–2006. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the LS, against 9 for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 15 for the BMW 7 Series. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2001–2006
Model years 2001–2006
Model years 2001–2006
Model years 2007–2017
Model years 2007–2017
Model years 2007–2017
Model years 2018–2026
Model years 2018–2026
Model years 2018–2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
The LS flagship sedan carries its VIN on the dashboard plate, door jamb sticker, trunk lid label, and engine bay, four locations that should be cross-referenced on any used example. The XF50 generation starts with the 2018 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (J for 2018) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2007 leads with 139, ahead of the 2008 (139) and 1994 (72). Those first two alone make up 28% of the 978 LS complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 19 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, XF50 leads with 10. Then come the XF40 (5), XF30 (3), XF10 (1) and XF20 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.
NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 98V-016, 09V-020, 14V-647 and 26V-094. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the XF10 is 1990–1994 and the XF20 1995–2000. XF30 spans 2001–2006, XF40 2007–2017 and XF50 2018–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (J is 2018).
It varies. EPA rates the 2018–2026 XF50 at 21–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18 mpg for the 1990–1994 XF10 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2018–2026 models the LS has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 46, the BMW 7 Series 31. Complaints run 35, 148 and 60 in that order, with no sales adjustment.