FaultScore

Lexus GS400 vs BMW 545I

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Lexus GS400 BMW 545I
Complaints on file 80 198
Model years covered 1994–2000 2004–2005
Worst model year
Best model year
Crashes reported 33 4
Fires reported 0 3
Injuries reported 20 6
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Acceleration & Cruise Control Airbags
Share of complaints involving harm 66.3% 6.6%

Lexus GS400 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Acceleration & Cruise Control 14 17.5%
Brakes 12 15.0%
Airbags 10 12.5%
Suspension 9 11.3%
Electrical System 8 10.0%
Seat Belts 6 7.5%
Engine & Cooling 5 6.3%
Tires 4 5.0%

BMW 545I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 56 28.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 23 11.6%
Engine & Cooling 17 8.6%
Brakes 15 7.6%
Seat Belts 14 7.1%
Steering 9 4.5%
Seats 7 3.5%