Lexus LX years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Lexus LX years

Most generations of the Lexus LX are highly reliable, but the fourth-generation LX 600 has been hit by a widespread engine defect in its 2022-2024 models due to manufacturing debris contaminating the engine. That single issue, combined with the older third-generation’s air suspension exposure and the second-generation’s higher CarComplaints complaint volume, shapes this ranking. Data sources used here are: NHTSA complaints and recalls (raw complaint volume and recall campaigns), CarComplaints (PainRank, which weights repair cost and mileage-at-failure - a different metric from NHTSA volume), RepairPal (owner-reported problems and repair cost data), Consumer Reports, and owner threads on ClubLexus and IH8MUD. CarComplaints ranks its worst year by repair cost and mileage-at-failure (PainRank), while NHTSA shows raw complaint volume - the two measures often point to different model years, and each claim below is attributed to its correct source. Our years-to-avoid methodology combines these sources to assign each model year a single verdict.

Every Lexus LX model year ranked

The LX 450 era (1996-1997) is a separate collector segment not realistically shopped alongside modern used LX inventory; those two years are shown below for completeness but are not included in the best/worst sets. Every model year from 1998 onward is ranked.

Note: No 2012 LX 570 was produced as a US model year.

Most common Lexus LX problems

The single biggest documented failure across all LX generations is the V35A engine bearing defect in the 2022-2024 LX 600, which can cause a complete engine stall while driving and requires a full engine replacement under recall. Below are the recurring failure categories you need to know.

1. V35A engine bearing failure (2022-2024 LX 600)

In May 2024, Toyota issued a recall for certain 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX 600 vehicles under NHTSA Campaign Number 24V-381, affecting approximately 102,092 units. The issue stems from machining debris left in the engine during manufacturing, which can lead to main bearing failure and engine stall. Symptoms include severe engine knocking, rough running, stalling, and a complete loss of power. A subsequent expansion (NHTSA recall 25V-767) broadened coverage to LX 600 models built through April 2024, bringing 2024 model-year vehicles into scope. Owners filing NHTSA complaints have reported “pulsing/mechanical noises” and engine shutdowns, including one failure on a highway exit ramp where the engine could not be restarted, often preceded by the check-engine light illuminating. The fix - a full engine replacement - is performed at no charge by Lexus and Toyota dealerships, with labor estimated at 13-21 hours, and owners are provided a loaner or rental while work is underway. The Lexus manufacturer recall number for this campaign is 24LA04. If you are looking at a 2022, 2023, or 2024 LX 600, confirm via VIN check that the engine-replacement remedy has been completed before you buy.

2. Active Height Control (AHC) suspension failure (2008-2021 LX 570)

One of the most frequently cited issues with the LX 570 is related to its air suspension system. The LX 570 uses a hydraulic Active Height Control system that raises and lowers the body; when its lines corrode or a pump fails, the vehicle can drop to its lowest setting and become undriveable. An LX 570 owner on the IH8MUD forum reported that a hydraulic AHC line burst at just 86,500 miles on a 2013 model, attributed to rust and corrosion, and that the body must come off the frame to replace it. Repair quotes for full AHC system replacement can reach as high as $36,545. No NHTSA recall covers this failure; it is a wear item. Buyers should inspect AHC lines carefully on any LX 570 with over 80,000 miles, or budget for a conversion to a conventional spring suspension as an alternative.

3. Heated seat malfunction (2008-2010 LX 570)

The most commonly reported problem among owners of early LX 570 SUVs relates to the heated seats, which can stop working after 5-10 minutes of use, with this problem impacting LX 570 models from 2008, 2009, and 2010. An updated seat controller corrects the issue, so if you buy a 2008-2010, confirm that the controller has been updated. RepairPal documents the heated-seat failure as one of the top three most-reported complaints on the LX 570.

4. Accelerator pedal entrapment / floor mat recall (2008-2011 LX 570)

Toyota recalled 2008-2011 LX 570 vehicles because the accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide-open position when trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat, which can result in very high vehicle speeds and make the vehicle difficult to stop, potentially causing a crash, serious injury, or death. The remedy involved modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor mat. This recall is listed as an expansion of safety recalls 09V-388 and 10V-023. Any 2008-2011 LX 570 on the used market should have this repair documented; verify via VIN lookup at NHTSA.

5. Airbag sensor / seat-belt tension sensor recall (2008-2019 LX 570)

Toyota recalled 89,740 SUVs because a faulty sensor in certain 2008-2019 Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus LX 570s may keep the airbags from inflating in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 18V-887. Over time, the seat belt tension sensor wire harness may break and deactivate the front passenger air bag, knee air bag, and passenger seat-mounted side airbag. Toyota notified owners with dealers modifying or replacing the front passenger seat belt assembly free of charge, with the recall beginning February 11, 2019. Confirm this was completed on any 2008-2019 LX 570 before purchase using the NHTSA VIN checker.

6. Occupant Classification System (OCS) / airbag deployment recall (2022-2024 LX 600)

Toyota recalled certain 2022-2024 Lexus LX vehicles because the front passenger seat may have insufficient clearance between the seat frame and the stopper, causing the Occupant Classification System sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant, meaning these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. This is a separate recall from the engine-bearing issue and applies to the same 2022-2024 model years - meaning those vehicles carry two distinct safety recalls that both require verification.

Which Lexus LX years should you avoid?

The Lexus LX years to avoid are 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023, and 2024. On CarComplaints, the 2003 LX 470 carries the highest complaint count of any second-generation year at 30 reported defects, with interior and electrical problems heading the list. For NHTSA complaint volume, the 2008-2021 generation accumulated 33 total NHTSA complaints, with the most frequently reported problem areas being safety systems, interior, and engine - concentrated in the 2008-2010 launch years when the accelerator and heated-seat issues were unresolved. For the newest generation, the 2022 Lexus LX has been recalled 6 times by NHTSA, driven primarily by the V35A engine-bearing campaign and the OCS airbag sensor defect.

Worst Lexus LX years: 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2024

Second-generation Lexus LX 470 (1998-2007)

The 2003 LX 470 has 30 problems and defects reported by owners on CarComplaints, with the worst complaints covering accessories, interior, and electrical problems. The 2004 LX 470 follows with 22 CarComplaints complaints. The 2003 is the year to specifically avoid within this generation; the rest of the LX 470 run is more manageable, with 2006 standing out as the cleanest final year.

Third-generation Lexus LX 570 (2008-2021)

The 2008-2010 years are the ones to skip within the LX 570 run. The 2008-2011 LX 570 was recalled for accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat, with the pedal able to get stuck in the wide-open position, a life-safety issue that should be confirmed closed on any example. RepairPal shows 4 documented problems for the 2008 LX 570, the highest of any LX 570 model year, with 2009 and 2010 each carrying 2. The AHC suspension risk exists across the full 2008-2021 span but compounds with age, making pre-2013 examples higher-exposure.

Fourth-generation Lexus LX 600 (2022-present)

In June 2024, Toyota announced the recall of approximately 102,000 Tundra and Lexus LX units from the 2022 and 2023 model years due to engine debris, with no fix initially available; the company has since developed the solution of replacing the engines in affected vehicles. The expanded recall further covers LX 600 models built through April 2024, bringing 2024 model-year vehicles into scope as well. Until you can verify via VIN that the engine-replacement remedy under recall 24V-381 has been completed, treat all 2022-2024 LX 600s as conditional buys at best.

What are the best Lexus LX years to buy?

The best Lexus LX years to buy are 2006, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2025. Each of these sits in a sweet spot of low complaint counts, resolved recalls from its era, and mature mid- or late-generation engineering.

Most reliable Lexus LX years: 2006, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2025

2006 Lexus LX 470

The 2006 is the pick of the second-generation LX 470 lineup. It carries the lowest complaint count of the late LX 470 years, with none of the interior or electrical problems that cluster around 2003-2004. The 2007 LX 470 received revised horsepower and torque numbers, but the 2006 predates any first-year changes and benefits from years of engineering maturity on the proven 4.7-liter V8. Shoppers who want a similar luxury SUV with a comparably clean mid-generation record may also find the Lexus GX 460 model years to avoid worth reviewing before making a final decision.

2020-2021 Lexus LX 570

RepairPal records zero problems for the 2020 LX 570, and the 2021 carries the same clean sheet. Both years sit at the end of a long-running generation where every major recall - including the accelerator and airbag sensor campaigns - was resolved years earlier. The probability of severe repairs for the LX 570 is 9%, compared to 14% for luxury full-size SUVs generally, and the 2020-2021 examples represent that stat at its best. The one check still worth making: verify the airbag sensor recall (18V-887) is closed on the specific VIN.

2014-2015 Lexus LX 570

The LX 570 received a significant update for 2013, adding Lexus’s spindle grille and a new front design, and by 2014 those changes were settled. Lexus Safety System+ was introduced in 2015, making the 2015 the first year that bundles pre-collision warning, lane departure alert, and radar cruise control as standard - a meaningful safety upgrade for a used-market buy. Buyers cross-shopping luxury sedans alongside an LX should also weigh the Lexus ES 350 model years to avoid, since the two nameplates occupy very different ends of the Lexus lineup in terms of capability and running costs.

Lexus LX submodel years to avoid

The Lexus LX has been sold in four distinct badge variants across its four generations: the LX 450, LX 470, LX 570, and LX 600. Each is assessed on its own engine, model-year span, and complaint record.

Lexus LX 450 years to avoid

The LX 450 served as Lexus’s maiden SUV, launched for the 1996 model year and mechanically equivalent to a well-equipped Toyota Land Cruiser, sharing its inline-six engine. The LX 450 was powered by a 4.5-liter, twin-cam four-valve inline-six engine producing 215 hp. It was produced for only two US model years: 1996 and 1997. The LX 450 is now a collector-segment vehicle rather than a practical used-market buy. Its NHTSA and CarComplaints complaint counts are minimal at this age, and what little data exists reflects vehicles approaching or past 30 years old. No LX 450 model year has accumulated enough modern complaint data to flag a clear “avoid” verdict. Buyers considering one should treat it as a classic-market purchase, with a pre-buy inspection focused on:

• Inline-six engine (1FZ-FE) cooling system health and head gasket condition - a known Toyota I6 vulnerability on high-mileage examples

• Rear differential and transfer case fluid condition

• Full service history confirming timing belt intervals

Lexus LX 470 years to avoid

The LX 470 premiered in 1998 and was manufactured until 2007, powered by a 4.7-liter V8 (2UZ-FE) paired with a 4-speed automatic. This nine-year run is the longest of any pre-570 generation and has the most complete complaint record. The 2003 LX 470 has the most CarComplaints reports of any LX 470 year at 30, with the worst complaints covering accessories, interior, and electrical problems. The 2004 follows at 22 CarComplaints complaints. The 2005 LX 470 has 12 CarComplaints complaints, with brake problems as the worst category. These three years (2003-2005) represent the elevated-complaint window within the LX 470 run, while 2006 stands as the cleanest pick. For any LX 470 purchase, check:

• Automatic transmission fluid condition (dark, burnt fluid points to neglect)

• AHC hydraulic lines for corrosion - the same system used in the LX 570 is present here

• VIN recall status at NHTSA, which covers a 2006 LX 470 airbag recall per the NHTSA 2008-2021 LX complaint data

Lexus LX 570 years to avoid

The third-generation LX debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007 and ran from the 2008 through 2021 model years, powered by a 5.7-liter V8 (3UR-FE) mated to an 8-speed automatic. The 2008-2021 LX was offered with two engine options, and based on NHTSA complaint data, the 5.7-liter V8 has the lowest complaint density and is the most reliable choice for buyers. Years to avoid within the LX 570 range are 2008, 2009, and 2010. RepairPal records 4 problems for the 2008 LX 570 - the highest of any year in this generation - with 2009 at 2 and 2010 at 2. All three sit inside the accelerator pedal recall window (2008-2011) and the heated-seat malfunction window (2008-2010). The AHC suspension risk, covered in full earlier in this article, spans the full 2008-2021 run; that risk does not single out a specific model year so much as it grows with mileage. The probability of severe repairs for the LX 570 overall is 9%, compared to 14% for luxury full-size SUVs - a genuinely favorable figure that holds for the 2013-2021 years once the early-gen issues are past.

Lexus LX 600 years to avoid

The LX 600 launched for the 2022 model year, with the V8 replaced by a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This new powertrain brought substantially more technology but also introduced the generation’s defining reliability problem. Lexus’s Safety Recall 24LA04, tied to NHTSA Recall 24V-381, covers certain 2022-2023 model year LX 600 vehicles built from early November 2021 through mid-February 2023 - approximately 3,500 units - because machining debris may not have been cleared from the engine when it was produced, potentially leading to engine knocking, rough running, engine no-start, and loss of motive power. The expanded recall (25V-767) adds 2024-year LX 600 models. Consumer Reports notes the 2023 LX is less reliable than other cars from the same model year, and the 2023 LX has been recalled 5 times by NHTSA. The 2025 LX 600 (including the new 700h hybrid) is built after the corrected manufacturing process was put in place and is the safest pick in this generation. Before buying any 2022-2024 LX 600, confirm:

• Recall 24V-381 / 25V-767 engine replacement is completed (use the NHTSA VIN checker)

• The OCS airbag sensor recall (separate campaign) is also closed

• Ask the dealer or seller for the Lexus recall completion paperwork

Lexus LX pre-purchase checklist

Run through these checks on any used Lexus LX before signing anything.

• Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker: Confirm every open recall is resolved. For 2022-2024 LX 600s, specifically verify NHTSA recall 24V-381 (and its expansion 25V-767) - the engine-replacement campaign - is listed as completed.

• 2022-2024 LX 600: demand engine-replacement paperwork: The fix is a full engine swap. Ask to see the Lexus dealer recall-completion documentation (Lexus recall 24LA04) before purchase. A 2022-2024 without confirmed engine replacement is a known-defect vehicle.

• 2022-2024 LX 600: verify OCS airbag recall closed: The passenger seat frame / OCS sensor recall is a separate campaign from the engine recall. Both need to be confirmed, not just one. Incorrect occupant detection may result in improper airbag deployment in a crash.

• 2008-2019 LX 570: confirm airbag sensor recall 18V-887 is done: The seat belt tension sensor wire harness can break and deactivate the front passenger air bag, knee air bag, and passenger seat-mounted side airbag. This is a safety-critical item on every 2008-2019 LX 570.

• 2008-2021 LX 570: inspect the AHC hydraulic suspension lines: Look for corrosion, weeping fluid, or the vehicle sitting noticeably low at one corner. Repair costs for a failed system can reach five figures - a transmission fluid leak when parked is a warning sign worth taking seriously on any high-mileage LX 570.

• 2008-2010 LX 570: test the heated seats: Run both front heated seats for at least 10 minutes during the test drive to confirm the seat controller has been updated or the fault has not returned.

• Request full service records: The LX’s V8 and V6 engines reward consistent oil-change intervals. Look for documented oil changes at 5,000-7,500 mile intervals and any AHC fluid service history.

• Independent pre-purchase inspection: Have any used LX inspected by a Lexus-familiar independent mechanic, focusing on suspension components, transfer case, and differential fluid condition.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Lexus LX years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Toyota Land Cruiser - the mechanical twin of the LX with a longer continuous US production record and a well-documented reliability history

• GMC Acadia - a more affordable three-row SUV with a clear year-by-year reliability record and lower running costs

• Ford F-150 - if capability is the priority over luxury, the F-150 offers similar towing and a broader range of price points with a well-tracked reliability record