Lexus Years to Avoid by Model
Lexus years to avoid: the 2008 ES350 (323 complaints) and 2023 RX350 (57 complaints). 4 of the 8 Lexus models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2014 RX350 and 2015 ES350. Based on 2,583 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Lexus years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus RX Hybrid | None rated avoid | — | 117 (2020–2025) |
| Lexus RX350 | 200820102017201920232024 | 201120122014 | 1,327 (2008–2025) |
| Lexus IS 350 | None rated avoid | — | 10 (2008–2025) |
| Lexus ES350 | 2008200920102011 | 2014201520162017 | 1,128 (2008–2025) |
| Lexus GS 350 | None rated avoid | — | 0 (2008–2025) |
| Lexus IS 250 | None rated avoid | — | 1 (2008–2025) |
| Lexus LS460 | 201320142015 | 20162017 | 0 (2007–2017) |
| Lexus GX460 | 201220132014 | 20222023 | 0 (2012–2023) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Lexus model
2008 Lexus ES350: 323 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 · Full ES350 breakdown →
2023 Lexus RX350: 57 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2024 · Full RX350 breakdown →
2013 Lexus LS460: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2013, 2014 and 2015 · Full LS460 breakdown →
2014 Lexus GX460: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2012, 2013 and 2014 · Full GX460 breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Lexus years should you avoid?
By model: RX350 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2024; ES350 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; LS460 2013, 2014 and 2015; GX460 2012, 2013 and 2014. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Lexus years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: RX350 2011, 2012 and 2014; ES350 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; LS460 2016 and 2017; GX460 2022 and 2023.
Which Lexus model has the most years to avoid?
The Lexus RX350, with 6 avoid-rated model years (2008, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2024) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Lexus years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Models not yet scored that way are ranked by combined NHTSA complaint and manufacturer service-bulletin volume. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Lexus data come from?
Federal records: 2,583 NHTSA owner complaints across 8 Lexus models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.