Lexus LS problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

Lexus LS problems on record are mostly recalls. The 2007–2017 LS 460 had fuel-leak recalls 09V020 and 14V647, a VGRS steering ECU recall (10V218) and fuel pump recall 20V012. The 2018–2026 LS 500 adds fuel pump recall 20V682, run-flat tire recall 19V134 and an Executive Package seat sensor recall (24V275).

CarWhere lists 11 documented LS issues, including 11 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.

LS generations at a glance

Lexus LS generations and the known issues listed for each
Generation	Model years	Issues on this page
XF40	2007–2017	Aluminum fuel rails can corrode and leak (recall 09V020) · Fuel leak at the fuel pressure sensor (recall 14V647) · Variable Gear Ratio Steering can leave the wheel off-center (recall 10V218) · Low-pressure fuel pump can fail (recall 20V012)
XF50	2018–2026	Low-pressure fuel pump can fail (recalls 20V012, 20V682) · Run-flat tire reinforcement layer can crack (recall 19V134) · Brake booster pump can fail (recall 19V544) · Executive Package passenger seat can confuse the occupant sensor (recall 24V275) · Stability control may stay off after restart (recall 22V239) · Rearview camera image may be delayed (recall 24V124) · Instrument panel may not display warnings at startup (recall 25V595)

XF40 LS problems (2007–2017)

Aluminum fuel rails can corrode and leak (recall 09V020) (2007–2008)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF40 (2007–2017)
Years:: 2007–2008
Powertrain:: V8 (LS 460)

Low-moisture ethanol fuels can corrode the inside of aluminum fuel delivery pipes on 2007–2008 LS, 2006–2008 IS and 2006–2007 GS sedans. The check-engine light may come on first, and a pinhole leak can follow. Dealers inspect and replace the fuel rails.

Symptoms

Check-engine light
Fuel smell from the engine bay

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 09V020 (2009-01) · 214,570 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [1]

Fuel leak at the fuel pressure sensor (recall 14V647) (2007–2010)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF40 (2007–2017)
Years:: 2007–2010
Powertrain:: All

Anti-corrosion plating remnants can let fuel leak where the fuel pressure sensor attaches to the fuel delivery pipe. The recall covers 2007–2010 LS built May 9, 2006–July 20, 2010, plus 2006–2011 IS and GS. Dealers clean and reseal the sensor mounting area.

Symptoms

Fuel smell from the engine bay

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 14V647 (2014-10) · 422,509 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [2]

Variable Gear Ratio Steering can leave the wheel off-center (recall 10V218) (2009–2010)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF40 (2007–2017)
Years:: 2009–2010
Powertrain:: LS 460 and LS 600h L

On 2009–2010 LS 460 and LS 600h L built Aug. 20, 2009–May 13, 2010, a programming change in the VGRS steering ECU could trigger its protection logic after a full-lock turn, leaving the steering wheel up to 90 degrees off-center. Dealers replace the steering control ECU.

Symptoms

Steering wheel off-center after turning to full lock and back

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 10V218 (2010-05) · 3,800 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [3]

Low-pressure fuel pump can fail (recall 20V012) (2013–2015)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF40 (2007–2017)
Years:: 2013–2015
Powertrain:: V8 (LS 460)

A March 2020 expansion of the fuel-pump campaign added 2013–2015 LS 460s. The in-tank low-pressure pump can fail and stall the engine while driving; dealers replace the pump.

Symptoms

Rough running or hesitation
Check-engine light
Engine stall or no-start

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 20V012 (2020-01) · 1,830,752 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [4]

XF50 LS problems (2018–2026)

Low-pressure fuel pump can fail (recalls 20V012, 20V682) (2018–2020)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2018–2020
Powertrain:: LS 500 and LS 500h

The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank can fail and stall the engine. 20V012 covered 2018–2019 LS 500 and LS 500h; expansion 20V682 covers 2018–2020 LS 500 and 2019 LS 500h. Dealers fit an improved fuel pump assembly.

Symptoms

Rough running or hesitation
Check-engine light
Engine stall or no-start

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 20V682 (2020-11) · 1,525,742 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [5][4]

Run-flat tire reinforcement layer can crack (recall 19V134) (2018)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2018
Powertrain:: All

On some 2018 LS sedans with run-flat tires, the tire-on-wheel assembly process may have cracked the sidewall reinforcement layer, which can lead to tread separation. Lexus dealers replace the affected tires.

Symptoms

Bulge or vibration from a tire
Tread separation

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 19V134 (2019-02) · 6,296 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [6]

Brake booster pump can fail (recall 19V544) (2019)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2019
Powertrain:: LS 500 and LS 500h

On some 2019 LS 500 and LS 500h sedans the brake booster pump can fail, switching off Vehicle Stability Control and brake assist. Dealers inspect and replace the pump as needed.

Symptoms

Brake or VSC warning lights
Harder brake pedal / reduced brake assist

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 19V544 (2019-07) · 6,925 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [7]

Executive Package passenger seat can confuse the occupant sensor (recall 24V275) (2018–2021)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2018–2021
Powertrain:: LS 500 and LS 500h

On 2018–2021 LS 500 and 2018–2020 LS 500h with the Executive Package, internal parts in the front passenger seat can interfere and cause the occupant classification sensor to misread the occupant, so the airbag may not deploy correctly. Dealers inspect and repair the seat.

Symptoms

Passenger airbag indicator not matching who is seated
Airbag warning light

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 24V275 (2024-04) · 509 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [8]

Stability control may stay off after restart (recall 22V239) (2021–2022)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2021–2022
Powertrain:: Hybrid (LS 500h)

Skid Control ECU software on 2021–2022 LS 500h (and other Toyota/Lexus hybrids) may not turn Vehicle Stability Control back on after a restart if the driver had switched it off. Dealers update the ECU software.

Symptoms

VSC OFF indicator still lit after restarting

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 22V239 (2022-04) · 458,110 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [9]

Rearview camera image may be delayed (recall 24V124) (2023)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2023
Powertrain:: LS 500 and LS 500h

On 2023 LS 500 and LS 500h with the Panoramic View Monitor, parking-assist ECU software can delay the rearview camera image after shifting into reverse. Dealers update the software.

Symptoms

Camera image takes several seconds to appear in reverse

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 24V124 (2024-02) · 18,616 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [10]

Instrument panel may not display warnings at startup (recall 25V595) (2024–2025)

Safety recall

Generation:: XF50 (2018–2026)
Years:: 2024–2025
Powertrain:: All

An instrument panel software error at startup can leave the cluster without vehicle speed, brake system and tire pressure warnings. The phased recall covers 2024–2025 LS among about 591,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles; dealers update the software, over the air for non-plug-in models.

Symptoms

Blank or incomplete instrument cluster at startup

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Lexus dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 25V595 (2025-09) · 591,377 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [11]

Related LS research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how an LS was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Lexus build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Lexus build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the Lexus LS 460?

Recalls on the 2007–2017 LS 460 include corroding aluminum fuel rails (09V020, 2007–2008), fuel leaks at the pressure sensor (14V647, 2007–2010), an off-center steering wheel from the VGRS ECU (10V218, 2009–2010) and the fuel pump recall (20V012, 2013–2015).

Is there a fuel pump recall on the Lexus LS 500?

Yes. Recall 20V012 covered 2018–2019 LS 500 and LS 500h, and expansion 20V682 covers 2018–2020 LS 500 and 2019 LS 500h. Dealers install an improved low-pressure fuel pump.

What is the LS 500 Executive Package recall?

Recall 24V275 covers 2018–2021 LS 500 and 2018–2020 LS 500h with the Executive Package. Interference inside the passenger seat can make the occupant sensor misread who is seated, so dealers inspect and repair the seat.

What is the hybrid battery warranty on the LS 500h?

For model year 2020 Lexus hybrids, including the LS Hybrid, Lexus extended hybrid battery coverage to 10 years from first use or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Other hybrid system parts keep 8-year/100,000-mile coverage.

How do I check a used Lexus LS for open recalls?

Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or ask a Lexus dealer. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or owner, and the dealer can print the completed-campaign history.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

NHTSA recall 09V020: FUEL DELIVERY PIPE — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 14V647: Fuel Leak at Fuel Pressure Sensor/Fuel Pipe — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 10V218: STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 20V012: Fuel Pump May Fail — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 20V682: Fuel Pump May Fail — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 19V134: Tire Sidewall Reinforcement Layer May Crack — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 19V544: Loss of Stability Control, Brake Assist/FMVSS 126 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 24V275: Front Air Bag May Not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 208 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 22V239: Stability Control Deactivated on Startup/FMVSS 126 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 24V124: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
NHTSA recall 25V595: Instrument Panel Failure — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Lexus or Toyota Motor Corporation. Lexus, F SPORT and the model names are trademarks of their owners.