RoadVitals

2009 Lexus LS Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Sep 26, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Lexus LS, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine419.0%
  • Brakes314.3%
  • Electrical314.3%
  • Powertrain (other)314.3%
  • Fuel system29.5%
  • Driver assistance29.5%
  • Other / unspecified29.5%
  • Steering14.8%
  • Visibility14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11364249 · filed Oct 14, 2020

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 ID 11322245 · filed Apr 25, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This particular model 2009 Lexus LS460 apparently has an issue with the ABS system module (ABS Brake pump actuator) and when it fails it is like a domino effect not to mention having to reprogram the cars whole computer system all over again, I researched this issue and found that the issue is rampant with this year and model, not only is it expensive to fix (4k) the part alone is over 1k. If the system was to fail while driving it would pose a significant danger to myself and others as I would not be able to brake, or if I drive in wet weather the system could fail on me again. Everyone that owns this model has the same issue. once it happens it is said that it will happen every 30000 miles or so. I bought the car in 2024; I hadn't even had it a year before the system failed and I have not been able to drive the car since March 2025. I think issues involving the cars ABS should automatically be a recall. Now I feel like I am stuck with a car payment for a car I can't even drive because the brake system failed, and will continue to fail over and over, even if I could drive it I would be scared to. If the car senses and accident or spinout and the abs fails and locks up that's dangerous. I can't afford to fix this issue multiple times no one should have to go through this when buying a car as luxury and expensive as Lexus is. The car is too old for the lemon law but I bought a lemon, as big as this issue is this should have been a recall. Please help...

NHTSA ID 11690008 · filed Sep 26, 2025

My wife was driving, we got check engine & VSC sign, we checked with car mechanic, who asked us to take to dealer, they diagnosed & fixed some parts & charged us around 1000.00 $, Next day she drove around 6 miles, she was ready to enter highway sign came, stop car immediately at safe place, she called dealer who advised to bring car back, she took car back ,they diagnosed again & told us it will cost 4042.11 to replace brake actuator & brake pump,we searched that this was manufacturing defect, we contacted Lexus corporate office, they said that it factory defect only till 2018 & declined to fix,they said they send us letter,we never received any letter.Car mileage is around 120,000 only,my wife narrowly escaped accident, Is not dealer responsible to contact customers by phone or E mail for safety issues ,moreover we took car to dealer multiple times for not staring ,they fixed battery all the time , we also got car maintainece service from the dealer many times ,was not it their responsibility to make us aware for this defect & fix? they should have diagnosed this problem when we took car for VSC & engine check sign? Pleas investigate so no body else suffers or dies in an accident, Thanks

NHTSA ID 11464119 · filed May 10, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This particular model 2009 Lexus LS460 apparently has an issue with the ABS system module (ABS Brake pump actuator) and when it fails it is like a domino effect not to mention having to reprogram the cars whole computer system all over again, I researched this issue and found that the issue is rampant with this year and model, not only is it expensive to fix (4k) the part alone is over 1k. If the system was to fail while driving it would pose a significant danger to myself and others as I would not be able to brake, or if I drive in wet weather the system could fail on me again. Everyone that owns this model has the same issue. once it happens it is said that it will happen every 30000 miles or so. I bought the car in 2024; I hadn't even had it a year before the system failed and I have not been able to drive the car since March 2025. I think issues involving the cars ABS should automatically be a recall. Now I feel like I am stuck with a car payment for a car I can't even drive because the brake system failed, and will continue to fail over and over, even if I could drive it I would be scared to. If the car senses and accident or spinout and the abs fails and locks up that's dangerous. I can't afford to fix this issue multiple times no one should have to go through this when buying a car as luxury and expensive as Lexus is. The car is too old for the lemon law but I bought a lemon, as big as this issue is this should have been a recall. Please help...

NHTSA ID 11690008 · filed Sep 26, 2025

The battery died and we have replaced it with 3 new batteries and something keeps draining the battery. We have had multiple mechanics come and try to figure out what is going on with it, checked the alternator, checked every fuse, checked everything and no one can figure it out

NHTSA ID 11661206 · filed May 15, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11322245 · filed Apr 25, 2020

AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, USING FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL PER STERLING MCCALL LEXUS OF HOUSTON, THE LEXUS LS460 SHOWS HESITATION IN ACCELERATION. AT LOCAL ROAD AND AT SPEED OF 15 MPH, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND PUSHED GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR, THE ENGINE RPM REACHED MORE THAN 5000 BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. WHILE IN THEORY THE ENGINE POWER REACHES PEAK OF 386 HORSE POWER AT 4200 RPM. IN ONE WORD, THE ACCELERATION IS NOT LINEAR TO THE PUSH ON GAS PEDAL AT ALL. FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE POWER DOES NOT CORRESPONDS TO THE GAS PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE, AS IT SHOULD. AND IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS, THIS FAILURE TO ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD COULD CAUSE PROBLEM OR ACCIDENTS. A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE. MAYBE LEXUS SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND HELP FIX THE PROBLEM. THANKS, *TR

NHTSA ID 10547734 · filed Oct 13, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11364249 · filed Oct 14, 2020

AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, USING FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL PER STERLING MCCALL LEXUS OF HOUSTON, THE LEXUS LS460 SHOWS HESITATION IN ACCELERATION. AT LOCAL ROAD AND AT SPEED OF 15 MPH, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND PUSHED GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR, THE ENGINE RPM REACHED MORE THAN 5000 BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. WHILE IN THEORY THE ENGINE POWER REACHES PEAK OF 386 HORSE POWER AT 4200 RPM. IN ONE WORD, THE ACCELERATION IS NOT LINEAR TO THE PUSH ON GAS PEDAL AT ALL. FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE POWER DOES NOT CORRESPONDS TO THE GAS PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE, AS IT SHOULD. AND IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS, THIS FAILURE TO ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD COULD CAUSE PROBLEM OR ACCIDENTS. A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE. MAYBE LEXUS SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND HELP FIX THE PROBLEM. THANKS, *TR

NHTSA ID 10547734 · filed Oct 13, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11364249 · filed Oct 14, 2020

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 ID 11322245 · filed Apr 25, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This particular model 2009 Lexus LS460 apparently has an issue with the ABS system module (ABS Brake pump actuator) and when it fails it is like a domino effect not to mention having to reprogram the cars whole computer system all over again, I researched this issue and found that the issue is rampant with this year and model, not only is it expensive to fix (4k) the part alone is over 1k. If the system was to fail while driving it would pose a significant danger to myself and others as I would not be able to brake, or if I drive in wet weather the system could fail on me again. Everyone that owns this model has the same issue. once it happens it is said that it will happen every 30000 miles or so. I bought the car in 2024; I hadn't even had it a year before the system failed and I have not been able to drive the car since March 2025. I think issues involving the cars ABS should automatically be a recall. Now I feel like I am stuck with a car payment for a car I can't even drive because the brake system failed, and will continue to fail over and over, even if I could drive it I would be scared to. If the car senses and accident or spinout and the abs fails and locks up that's dangerous. I can't afford to fix this issue multiple times no one should have to go through this when buying a car as luxury and expensive as Lexus is. The car is too old for the lemon law but I bought a lemon, as big as this issue is this should have been a recall. Please help...

NHTSA ID 11690008 · filed Sep 26, 2025

I was driving and my steering locked up and my check VSC light came on, and check power steering system came on and told me to check with dealer.If someone can please contact me ASAP would be wonderful and appreciated..Thank you

NHTSA ID 11445540 · filed Dec 30, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving and my steering locked up and my check VSC light came on, and check power steering system came on and told me to check with dealer.If someone can please contact me ASAP would be wonderful and appreciated..Thank you

NHTSA ID 11445540 · filed Dec 30, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DASHBOARD IS STICKY/TACKY. DASHBOARD IS ALSO VERY SHINY AND MAKE IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN SUNLIGHT. WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE

NHTSA ID 11415623 · filed May 8, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .