Verdict
2021 Lexus LS: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Lexus LS — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 6 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 76% of 2021 sedans. Unknown Or Other leads the reports (33%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
6
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
24
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 76% of 2021 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Unknown Or Other issues lead owner complaints (33% of 6 reports), followed by engine (17%).
Share of all 6 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11478050, ODI 11654618.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air Bags · 24V275000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS 500h | 3.5L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S10) | 25 | 33 | 28 |
| LS 500h AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S10) | 23 | 29 | 26 |
| LS 500 | 3.4L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 | 29 | 22 |
| LS 500 AWD | 3.4L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 | 27 | 21 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Lexus LS: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Lexus LS?
Owners filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Lexus LS — fewer complaints than 76% of comparable 2021 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Lexus LS?
The most-reported problem areas are Unknown Or Other (33% of complaints) and engine (17%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus LS have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2021 Lexus LS, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus LS get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Lexus LS between 21 and 28 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.