2009 Lexus Ls460: Problems & Reliability
NOT FLAGGED2009 Lexus LS460: NOT FLAGGED — 24 owner complaints, outside the three heaviest complaint-and-bulletin records for this model; top issue: service brakes (11 complaints).
The Lexus LS460 isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2009 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 6th of 11 model years from 2007 to 2017.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2007–2017 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
24
NHTSA complaints
11
Model years compared
167
Service bulletins
2
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2009 Lexus LS460 problems
Service brakes is the clear leader, named in 46% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2009 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 11 | 46% |
| Engine | 5 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 13% |
| Speed control / throttle | 3 | 13% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 3 | 13% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2009 Lexus LS460 recalls
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2009, reported between May 21, 2010 and Oct 15, 2014.
2009 Lexus LS460 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 167 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2009 — close to the 191 of the median LS460 year from 2007 to 2017. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (40), visibility (15), powertrain / transmission (14). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2009 vs. the year before and after
From the 2008 to the 2009, owner complaints fell by more than half (133 → 24) — an improvement. The 2010 that followed rose 38% (24 → 33), so the 2009 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 LS460 | AVOID | 133 | 163 | 2 | — |
| 2009 (this page) | — | 24 | 167 | 2 | — |
| 2010 LS460 | — | 33 | 203 | 2 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Lexus LS460 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2009 Lexus LS460
Service brakes (11 complaints on the 2009): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Engine (5 complaints on the 2009): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Electrical system (3 complaints on the 2009): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Speed control / throttle (3 complaints on the 2009): check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
Fuel / propulsion system (3 complaints on the 2009): smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
Recalls: confirm all 2 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2009 Lexus Ls460 — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
- DealDrive AI negotiator reads any dealer quote and writes your counteroffer
- Comparable real deals near you, from verified transactions
Found a 2009 Lexus Ls460 for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
The CarWhere Used Car Report checks salvage records, salvage-auction listings, stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail, and full market history for one VIN — $16.99, one time.
FAQ
Is the 2009 Lexus LS460 reliable?
2009 Lexus LS460: NOT FLAGGED — 24 owner complaints, outside the three heaviest complaint-and-bulletin records for this model; top issue: service brakes (11 complaints). The Lexus LS460 isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2009 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 6th of 11 model years from 2007 to 2017.
What are the most common 2009 Lexus LS460 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2009 Lexus LS460 are service brakes (11, 46%), engine (5, 21%), electrical system (3, 13%). The manufacturer has 167 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus LS460 have?
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2009 Lexus LS460, most recently 14V647000 (Oct 15, 2014, fuel system, gasoline); 10V218000 (May 21, 2010, steering). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2009 Lexus Ls460 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2009 Lexus LS460 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the model is ranked on complaint and bulletin volume until the verdict engine scores it. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.