10 Most Reliable Lexus Models Of The Last Decade

Toyota decided in the early 1990s that it needed a brand that would compete with the inimitable German auto giant, Mercedes-Benz. Thus, the LS, and then subsequently, the smaller but still luxurious, ES models were born. The LS400 will go down in history as one of Lexus’ most reliable vehicles they ever sold. Some people have even driven one for over one million miles.

While it may not have been Lexus’ original intention to be one of the most reliable vehicles on the modern market, that’s what ended up happening. For the past two years, Lexus has dominated the J.D. Power reliability score charts, winning the distinction as the most reliable car brand on the market. To back that up, the average cost of annual maintenance for a Lexus is $551 according to RepairPal.

In this list, we’re going to go over the past ten years worth of Lexus and see which one is the most reliable on the market.

How we made our model selection:
HotCars looked at Lexus models produced in the last 10 years and examined their J.D. Power quality and reliability scores. We also investigated the model’s maintenance and repair costs using RepairPal as well as any recalls and reported issues as per NHTSA. To make sure these models can hold up long-term, we check Cars.com to find the highest-mileage examples for each model currently listed on the site.

10 2017 Lexus CT200h: 78/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 3
• Recalls: 1
• Investigations: 1

Maintenance And Mileage

Kicking off the list is a Prius with a Lexus badge, the CT200h. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued at this point, but that’s because most of Lexus’ products are hybrids now. It had an IS-style cabin and a Prius-style gear selector. Most of the scant complaints can be had in exterior lighting, but an overall score of right below 80 is a good way to start this list off.

The highest-mileage one we could find has close to 300,000 miles on it. At that high mileage, if the hybrid electric battery hasn’t been changed already, it might be time to replace it.

9 2015 Lexus LS460: 81/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 4
• Recalls: 1
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

The Lexus LS is the flagship sedan of the Lexus lineup and the 400 was the king of this category for years. While we couldn’t find one from this generation that had one million miles on it, we did find one that had close to 300,000 miles, which is still incredibly high for a nearly 10-year-old vehicle.

An 81 out of 100 J.D. Power reliability score puts it among the most reliable cars on the planet, but among Lexus models, it’s just number 9. A lot of the complaints customers made had to do with the powertrain, which could have been a contributing factor. It’s hard to deny though that this limo-like sedan is comfort and style wrapped into one.

8 2021 Lexus LX570: 82/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 0
• Recalls: 0
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

Next to the GX, the LX570 is the biggest vehicle on the list. It actually got away with 0 complaints and 0 recalls, which is par for the course for most of these Japanese luxury cars. As expected, the LX570 is packed with luxury and infotainment features, including rear entertainment for second-row passengers.

A reliability score of 82/100 is quite impressive considering the LX570 is powered by a 383-hp 5.7-liter V8. In fact, it’s one of the last Lexus SUVs to come with a naturally aspirated V8.

7 2024 Lexus RX350: 84/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 5
• Recalls: 0
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

Redesigned for the 2023 model year, the RX350 is Lexus’ staple mid-size crossover luxury SUV. It’s powered by a few turbo 4-cylinder and hybrid options and comes with a very nicely outfitted interior. It also set the bar for the newest line of Lexus’ design language. Most of the five complaints pertained to forward collision avoidance malfunctioning and airbags deploying improperly.

6 2021 Lexus LC500: 84/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 1
• Recalls: 0
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

Easily one of the most underrated sports cars on the market today, the Lexus LC500 is a thing of wonder. It’s a plush grand tourer powered by a 477-hp 5.0-liter V8. There’s also a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid option that makes 354 hp on offer.

If the only complaint is that the exterior lighting wasn’t working properly, we think you’re in the clear to buy yourself one. Any gearhead would be lucky to own one. The interior has supple appointments, and, next to the LFA, is one of the best looking from an exterior design standpoint that they’ve made in a long time (don’t tell the SC we said that).

5 2024 Lexus GX550: 84/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 0
• Recalls: 0
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

The newest entry into the GX lineup is the full-size, body on frame. GX550. We also got to drive one. It hasn’t been on the market long enough for it to garner any recalls, customer complaints, or investigations, but because everything else on this list is pretty doable, so should the GX550.

It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 and has an all-time four-wheel drive with low-end speeds as well. The third row is optional but is laughably small. Being that it’s the brand-new iteration for the GX, there aren’t going to be any accurate depictions of high miles, but we’re sure it’ll meet Lexus’ longstanding expectations.

4 2015 Lexus GS350: 86/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 15
• Recalls: 1
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

Gone but not forgotten, not by a long shot, the 2015 Lexus GS350 was the more sporty version of the ES. It was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that got 306 horsepower and was either rear or all-wheel drive. Yes, there were a lot of complaints made and most of them had to do with the steering and electrical systems bugging out.

3 2016 Lexus RC300: 86/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 1
• Recalls: 0
• Investigations: 1

Maintenance And Mileage

Surprised to see the RC on the list? We’re not. It’s based on the same platform that the IS is on and comes with either a 4-banger or a high-powered 6-cylinder. It also had a very IS-adjacent interior with the same center console set up and bezzel-style gauge cluster. With a reliability rating of 86 out of 100, that’s a surefire way to get yourself a reliable two-door sports coupe. The new RC300 also hasn’t changed much since 2016.

2 2017 Lexus ES: 89/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 22
• Recalls: 1
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

The ES has been known for its reliability for decades at this point. It was the in tandem model to the equally longstanding LS. Out of all the last ten years that were made available on J.D. Power, 2017 stood out as the most reliable. Yes there were 22 complaints and yes there was 1 recall, but with so many of these puppies sold and an unshakable 6 and turbo 4-cylinder, the ES is one of the most reliable Lexus’, not only ever made, but also on the road today. We weighed the pros and cons of the Lexus GS versus the ES here.

1 2022 Lexus IS: 90/100

NHTSA Reliability Breakdown

• Customer Complaints: 0
• Recalls: 0
• Investigations: 0

Maintenance And Mileage

This pint-sized Lexus IS takes the cake as our number one most reliable Lexus in the past ten years. Redesigned in 2021, the newest iteration of the most iconic compact sedan sets the bar for Lexus and its reliability. Not only does it have one of the highest reliability scores out there, but it also has zero NHTSA problems to speak of. It’s also the most shape-shifting vehicle Lexus offers, with three powertrains to choose from, one of them being a naturally aspirated V8.

Sources: J.D. Power, NHTSA