At 55,310 miles the car stalled without warning while driving at low speed. The car was towed to a Lexus dealership and it was reported by the dealer after inspection that the engine had seized. The vehicle is available for inspection. The motor failed while driving the vehicle. The V35A-FTS engine has numerous reports of main bearing failure and is subject to a recall for other models that have this engine, however, the Lexus LS500 model is not included in the recall despite having the same/similar catastrophic engine failure with low miles. Lexus corporate has been notified and has contacted the dealer directly regarding the failure. There were no warning lights, no engine sounds, and no indications that there were any issues with the engine.
NHTSA complaint #11751587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle has the V6 twin turbo engine that’s been recalled on other years and models and was diagnosed with an internal engine failure. The mechanic at the dealership couldn’t figure out the problem so an expert TAS Lexus specialist was called in and couldn’t figure out the problem either. They’ve had the car for 3 months and since they don’t know how to fix it they are telling me to just replace the engine with a used engine at a cost of $25,000. The vehicle is just out of warranty and Toyota/Lexus is refusing to cover any of the costs. The vehicle was serviced regularly so this shouldn’t have happened. This is a common problem with this model of engine. I believe it’s a design flaw as this model engine is assembled at different plants/locations and over long periods of time that would indicate a design flaw and not due to Toyota’s official stance of debris left in engine block during assembly. Toyota should recall and replace all these engines at no charge to the owner of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11740217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
this vehicle stalled while driving on a highway without any sign or warning. on some occasions the vehicle will not stop. I reported this to Lexus company / Manufacturer
NHTSA complaint #11735714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS 500. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle coasted and was steered over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the oil was drained and the cap and filter were removed. The contact stated that there were metal shavings inside the oil. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine and that the oil filter was not the correct oil filter. Additionally, the contact was informed that the engine had seized, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #11732331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: 70,440 Vehicle: 2018 Lexus LS500 In November 2021, I purchased this vehicle with approximately 19,000 miles. Routine maintenance was performed every 7,500 miles. At approximately 44,000 miles (in 2023), the vehicle experienced severe engine failure following warning lights for Parking Support Brake Malfunction, Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction, Check Engine, Reduced Engine Power, and Traction Control Off. The vehicle lost power and stalled. The engine began emitting smoke and was replaced under manufacturer warranty in March 2024 at a Lexus dealership. The repair exceeded $50,000 and included a new engine block and related components. Shortly after receiving the vehicle back, additional major failures occurred: Fuel pump failure resulting in “Reduced Engine Power” and restricted speed (~20 mph). The pump was replaced under warranty (approx. $4,600 cost). Brake system failure occurring three days after that repair (January 2024). As of October 28, 2025, the vehicle has again failed and is currently at Christian Brothers Automotive with the following findings: “Fuel pressure sensor located under the intake manifold is actively leaking fuel when the engine is running. This creates a fire hazard and can affect engine performance and fuel pressure regulation. Immediate attention required.” This repeated pattern of engine and fuel-system failures within a short period after a full engine replacement raises serious concerns about component reliability, workmanship, and safety. Fuel leakage near the intake manifold poses a significant fire risk. There are currently no open recalls addressing this defect. I request that NHTSA investigate potential defects or systemic issues in the engine or fuel-delivery systems of the 2018 Lexus LS500, as these failures appear premature, hazardous, and recurrent despite dealer and manufacturer repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11696175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved; however, the contact was informed that the failure was related to the knock sensors. The contact related the failure to TSB: L-SB-0122-17, which the contact stated was to be performed after the completion of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V309000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) to prevent the engine hesitation while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #11695384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Component is a sealant on the valley plate that covers a coolant passage, discovered when cabin heat not providing heat. 2. Coolant valley leak can lead to severe engine damage and mechanical failure, potentially causing the vehicle to stop working and increasing the risk of accidents. 3. Open sources appear a coolant valley leak is common with Lexus LS & GX 460, LX 570, "F" series cars and LC 500 models, and is an expensive repair from being labor intensive. 4. The vehicle has been inspected by the Lexus dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11693437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
losing 2qts of oil every 2000 miles. manufacture say this is normal. I have low engine oil level warning light and have to put 2 quarts of oil in the engine
NHTSA complaint #11638906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, there was a knocking and ticking sound coming from the brakes. Additionally, the brake light, traction control light, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The ABS, Brakes, and VSC messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the brake actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #11595461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Lexus LS500. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH and made a knocking sound. The contact was able to drive 15 MPH and pulled over off the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle, and the contact was informed that the engine was blown. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #11561359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sometimes, the car's RPM goes up to 4 and stays there as the car is unable to shift into the next gear. So, the car is not really accelerating at times when this happens. I have to pull over and turn off the car and start it again and sometimes it works correctly and at other times it doesn't. I've started to get check engine lights from time to time that point to solenoid issues. This makes driving this car very dangerous as this issue happens randomly. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11533848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I brought my car to Kendall Lexus for repairs as well as a recall on the starter solenoid. They charged me about $1,200 for these repairs, including the installation of a new starter. Unfortunately, the newly installed starter failed within a month of its replacement, causing significant inconvenience and safety concerns. Upon discovering the issue, I immediately contacted Kendall Lexus to report the problem. They agreed to have the car towed back to their dealership for further inspection and resolution. However, instead of taking responsibility for the faulty part they had installed, they had someone from Toyota contact me, stating that they wouldn’t address the problem due to my car’s age and referencing “loose wires” as the potential cause despite the fact that they were the last ones under the hood and had no problem with wiring or the age of the vehicle until they were asked to repair a faulty part they installed. I was shocked by this response, as my vehicle was in good running condition when I initially brought it to Kendall Lexus. It is evident that the dealership is unwilling to rectify their mistake and provide the necessary repairs. Furthermore, their customer service has severely deteriorated since I made the initial payment. Despite numerous attempts to contact Kendall Lexus and seek clarification on their refusal to honor their warranty on the faulty part, I have received no response. This lack of communication is not only frustrating but raises doubts about their commitment to customer satisfaction and fair business practices. I believe that I deserve a fair resolution to this matter, which includes rectifying the defective starter and providing the necessary repairs without additional charges. Moreover, Kendall Lexus must improve
NHTSA complaint #11533571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We were driving to Fort Bragg, CA on Hwy 20 W of Willits, CA in the mountains out of cell service, and the car was surging like it was out of gas, would not respond to throttle input, then just died. This put us in danger because we were heading down a steep hill on a narrow 2 lane road, and could easily have lost control from loss of braking and handling due to loss of power steering & power brakes. I was able to coast a few yards and immediately pull off into a small cut out on a corner and stop. I have no idea if the recall to fix the defective valve springs was completed on this car because I purchased it used in 2015. I had previously mentioned it to the Roseville CA Lexus Service department, and he dismissed it as the "car recalibrating itself" after every oil change. There were no warning lights or messages until the engine died, then all the lights came on immediately. Once we pulled over, I tried to restart and it would not start. We had over 1/2 a tank of gas, and the engine temp was normal. In fact, there was no warning prior to the engine dying - it just stopped and never started back up. I had the car towed to Freeman Lexus in Santa Rosa, CA and they finally determined that a valve spring had "let go", causing the engine to fail. I am convinced that the valve spring was defective per the recall in 2010 that addressed this very issue.
NHTSA complaint #11478035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello, For over 2 years now, I have had to get oil added to my vehicle multiple times (estimated 2-3 times after my regular interval oil change of 5,000 miles. I get the warning message from the engine stating low oil. I have taken my vehicle to a Lexus dealership, Lexus of Huntsville, AL to try and see what the problem is as this keeps happening and is an ongoing problem. I was informed no oil leak, but there is an internal problem in my opinion. I believe this is a safety defect as my engine could have major problems and possibly cause a fire, or harm to anyone in the vehicle. Also, I have spent additional money (estimated over $500.00 to get oil added in the amount of 2-3 quarts multiple times per every 5,000 mile oil change. I have recently called Lexus corporate (est 10 Jan 2022) and I getting no where as they asked me to go to the Lexus dealer and have it checked, but I have already done this a few times already with no success in fixing the problem. I believe the lack of oil is causing internal damage to my engine or some other possible major problem. The action I would like completed by Lexus would be to repair this problem at their own cost. I have over 179,915 miles on my vehicle now and want to continue to keep for a longer period of time. See some of my previous attached service history to see when the problem started. Thank you for your assistance on this matter.
NHTSA complaint #11447659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2004 LEXUS LS430 VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY ON THE ROAD PRESENTING DANGEROUS CONDITION. ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WOULD RESTART THE NEXT DAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE PUMP FAILED COMPLETELY. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO THAT IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID O4V295000.BUILD DATES 2003-07-29 UNTIL 2004-01-23. LEXUS CAMPAIGN 4LB 2004 LS 430. THIS VEHICLE HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NO PREVIOUS ENGINE REPAIR HISTORY DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE IMPELLER INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR. ALCOHOL IN SOME FUELS MAY DEFORM THE IMPELLER AND CAUSE IT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE PUMP HOUSING. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE ROTATIONAL RESISTANCE OF THE IMPELLER AND, IN THE WORST CASE, MAY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. OWNER REPLACED ORIGINAL FAILED FUEL PUMP WITH PUMP SUPPLIED BY LEXUS DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER AT WALCHER LEXUS IN WICHITA, KS INDICATES VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN FEBRUARY, 2004 OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF THE RECALL VEHICLES.LEXUS TECHNICAL SUPPORT WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED ME BACK TO MY LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER. NO ONE SEEMS CONCERNED THAT DEFECTIVE CARS CONTINUED TO EXIST OUTSIDE OF THE RANGE OF VEHICLES IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11404435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON VSC(VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL), TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE; WARNING TEXT TO TAKE TO DEALER. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MOTOR DECLINED, LOSS OF POWER AND EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE. WHEN STATIONARY UPON INSPECTION BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS THAT RESIDE IN THE REAR TOP OF THE VALVE COVERS SHOWED SIGNS OF LEAKING GASOLINE AND OIL. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS SO BAD THAT THE CHANCE OF IGNITING WAS IMMINENT, AS IT LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST BELOW AND CAME IN CONTACT WITH AN O2 SENSOR DIRECTLY BELOW ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, THAT HAS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 170K MILES. AT 85K MILES THE RECALL #10V30900 (VALVE SPRINGS) WAS PERFORMED. UPON INVESTIGATION THIS RECALL WAS INCOMPLETE AS IT DID NOT INCLUDE A SERVICEABLE PART GASKET #2322438010 THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE "VALVE SPRING KIT"#0400037338. THIS GASKET IS ALWAYS REPLACED WHEN THE FUEL PUMPS ARE REMOVED. IT RESIDES IN THE VALVE COVER UNDER THE REMOVABLE FUEL PUMP PLATE. ALL OTHER SERVICEABLE GASKETS IN THE FUEL PUMP WERE INCLUDED: 2 O-RINGS FOR MOUNT BOLTS, 2 RING GASKETS FOR FUEL DAMPENER, 1PUMP TO PLATE GASKET BUT NOT THE PLATE TO VALVE COVER GADKET. THIS IS A KNOWN LEAKING PROBLEM FOR 2007-2008 LS460 (YEARS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL), MOST COMMONLY SEEN AS OIL LEAKS AT THE VALVE COVER BUT MINE AND OTHERS SHOW DEGRADATION TO WHERE GAS LEAKS FROM THE PUMP TO PLATE GASKET AS WELL. THE POSSIBILITY OF A SEVERELY DETERIATED GASKET AT THE VALVE COVER #2322438010 HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF PIECES FALLING INTO THE MOVEABLE PARTS AREA THAT WERE THE REASON FOR THE RECALL. THIS NON REPLACED GASKET SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND IT HAS CREATED A FIRE HAZARD. I CURRENTLY SHOW DTC P0455, P0441, P0455, P0441. THE P0012 VSC ERROR HAS RESOLVED RECENTLY AFTER CLEARING THE MEMORY.
NHTSA complaint #11386326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING, SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN, PUTTING FOOT BACK ON GAS....FEELS EITHER LIKE GEAR SLIPPING OR FUEL INJECTION SLIP. MAKES QUICK CATCH AND JUMPS. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO STOP, FEELS LIKE STALLING. VERY SCARY.
NHTSA complaint #11364249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED MY 2009 LS460 IN 2017 AT LEXUS OF HUNTSVILLE, AL WITH 115K MILES. IT BEGAN HAVING POOR ACCELERATION 1 MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERN. THEY ASKED ME TO START USING PREMIUM GAS FORM THE SAME STATION. NOTHING CHANGED AND 3MO LATTER I MOVED TO INDIANAPOLIS AND HAD MY LEXUS SERVICED AT TOM WOOD LEXUS OF INDIANAPOLIS. I ASKED THEM TO DO A FULL DIAGNOSTIC FOR REPAIRING THE NOW DANGEROUSLY LOW ACCELERATION. TOM WOOD CHANGED AND CHECKED FUEL FILTER FUEL LINES FUEL INJECTORS AIR INTAKE MASS AIRFLOW AIR FILTER REFLASHED ECM COST ME 2 SEPARATE VISITS, 10+ DAYS IN A LOANER VEHICLE AND $800+ AND THE ISSUE BEHIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LOW ACCELERATION WAS NEVER FOUND. SO I FILED MY FIRST COMPLAINT CASE WITH LEXUS CORPORATE AND THEY DENIED MY CLAIM IN THAT IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER THEIR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. DESPITE MY EFFORT TO SIMPLY REQUEST AND STATE THAT I PURCHASED MY LEXUS AT A LEXUS DEALER AND IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY A LEXUS DEALER. I OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO RELY ON LEXUS (ESPECIALLY AN LS ON OF THEIR HIGH END DESIGNS) TO BE OF REASONABLE QUALITY, FIT FOR SAFE USE AS AN AUTOMOBILE. THE LIABILITY FOR DEFECTS OF THE ENGINEERING OF THE INTERNAL MECHANICS AND ANY FUTURE WRECKS OR INJURIES CAUSED BY THE ENGINEERING DEFECT IS LEXUS' LIABILITY. JUST TRYING TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. WELL THAT GOT ME NOWHERE WITH LEXUS. NOW MY JOB HAS ME LINING IN LOUISIANA AND I TRIED A SECOND TIME AND TOOK MY LS460 TO PRICE LEBLANC LEXUS OF BATON ROUGE. THEIR SERVICE TEAM WAS FANTASTIC AND THEIR TECH LET ME KNOW THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH LEXUS AND THAT I'D NEED TO REPLACE ALL CYLINDER HEADS AND VALUES. TOTAL COST BEING $13-15K. THAT IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FILED A SECOND COMPLAINT AND REPAIR REQUEST WITH LEXUS CORPORATE AND AM BEING TOLD THE SAME LINE AS BEFORE. NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11322245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.