A car is one of the most expensive investments a person will make during their lifetime, which is why it comes as no surprise that people want to make sure that their purchase is going to last. If you are in the market for a luxury vehicle, there is a good chance that you might be considering a Lexus, but you might be wondering, how long will a Lexus last?
When properly maintained, a Toyota Lexus can last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles, and if it is driven around 20,000 miles a year, it should last between 10 and 15 years.
Continue reading to learn more about this car’s lifespan along with the most common problems you might face as a Lexus owner.
What Is a Lexus?
Most car manufacturers have a luxury vehicle division, and Lexus is Toyota’s luxury car. With sales in the 500,000 range most years, it is one of the best-selling luxury cars in the world. This could be due to the fact that each vehicle is created using the “IDEAL” (Impressive, Dynamic, Elegant, Advanced, and Lasting) acronym and around 500 product standards known as “Lexus Musts”.
The vehicle has changed quite a lot over the years, and today buyers can choose from several models and trims. These cars are designed to be comfortable, quiet, and relentless. However, they do not sacrifice speed to get there, and with a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds, they are just as much fun to drive as they are comfortable.
Are Lexus Reliable?
According to RepairPal, whose reliability ratings are measured based on the cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled maintenance and repairs, the Lexus is rated 4.0 out of 5.0. This ranks the vehicle 7th out of 32 for all car brands.
Additionally, you can find J.D. Power’s reliability ratings, which are based on the unbiased reviews of real-life customers, below.
Sedans
| Vehicle | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| IS | #1 in Compact Premium Car 86/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 83/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 81/100 | #4 in Compact Premium Car 84/100 | #2 in Compact Premium Car 86/100 | N/A | #2 in Compact Premium Car 85/100 | #2 in Compact Premium Car 84/100 | #4 in Compact Premium Car 82/100 |
| ES | #1 in Midsized Premium Car 81/100 | # 2 in Midsized Premium Car 80/100 | #4 in Compact Premium Car 81/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 85/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 91/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 86/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 87/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 87/100 | #1 in Compact Premium Car 87/100 |
| LS | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | #1 in Large Premium Car 83/100 | #2 in Large Premium Car 84/100 | #1 #1 in Large Premium Car 86/100 | #2 #1 in Large Premium Car 84/100 | #1 #1 in Large Premium Car 86/100 |
SUVs
| Vehicle | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| UX | #1 in Small Premium SUV 81/100 | #2 in Small Premium SUV 75/100 | #1 in Small Premium SUV 81/100 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NX | #3 in Compact Premium SUV 82/100 | #1 in Compact Premium SUV 82/100 | #2 in Compact Premium SUV 82/100 | #2 in Compact Premium SUV 84/100 | #3 in Compact Premium SUV 82/100 | #3 in Compact Premium SUV 81/100 | #2 in Compact Premium SUV 82/100 | N/A | N/A |
| RX | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 83/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 83/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 84/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 85/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 83/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 83/100 | #2 in Midsize Premium SUV 84/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 86/100 | #2 in Midsize Premium SUV 85/100 |
| GX | #2 in Midsize Premium SUV 80/100 | #1 in Midsize Premium SUV 83/100 | #6 in Midsize Premium SUV 77/100 | #2 in Midsize Premium SUV 84/100 | #3 in Midsize Premium SUV 81/100 | #3 in Midsize Premium SUV 81/100 | #3 in Midsize Premium SUV 83/100 | #3 in Midsize Premium SUV 84/100 | #3 in Midsize Premium SUV 84/100 |
| LX | #1 in Large Premium SUV 82/100 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | #4 in Large Premium SUV 70/100 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Coupes
| Vehicle | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| RC | #3 in Compact Premium Car 83/100 | N/A | N/A | N/A | #4 in Compact Premium Car 83/100 | #2 in Compact Premium Car 83/100 | #3 in Compact Premium Car 84/100 | N/A | N/A |
| LC | #2 in Premium Sporty Car 84/100 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Are Lexus Expensive to Maintain?
According to CAREDGE, Lexus owners can expect to spend an average of $7,786 for maintenance during the first ten years of owning a Lexus. This is $4,004 less than the industry average for other luxury vehicles.
The table below outlines the average annual cost of maintenance for the first ten years of ownership.
| Year | Average Maintenance Cost |
| 1 | $284 |
| 2 | $327 |
| 3 | $398 |
| 4 | $509 |
| 5 | $602 |
| 6 | $750 |
| 7 | $1,045 |
| 8 | $1,273 |
| 9 | $1,436 |
| 10 | $1,457 |
Are Lexus Expensive to Repair?
According to RepairPal, the average cost to repair a Lexus is $551, which is lower than the average industry of $652 across all other models. Additionally, owners can expect to visit a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.5 times per year, which is a bit higher than the industry average of 0.4 for other models.
Below you will find a list of the most common repairs done on Lexus models along with the average price of those repairs.
| Repair | Average Cost |
| Air Bag Clock Spring Replacement | $600 – $637 |
| Suspension Ball Joint Replacement | $407 – $544 |
| Window Regulator Replacement | $438 – $1851 |
| Serpentine Belt | $138 – $165 |
| Spark Plug Replacement | $458 – $551 |
| Brake Bleed | $101 – $128 |
| General Diagnosis | $110 – $139 |
What Are the Most Common Problems with Lexus?
The answer to this question is complicated because it depends on the model. There are many Lexus models on the road today and it would be impossible to list each model’s biggest problems. However, there are some problems that seem to span across all models, and you can find a list of those below.
Common Engine Light Codes
While looking through forums and consumer complaints, we found that there were several codes that plague Lexus owners of all models. The first commonly reported code was P0894, which indicates a transmission component is slipping. Another common code was P0440, which indicates an EVAP emissions control system malfunction. However, some users have noted that the last one was related to gas cap issues.
Leaking Oil
Oil leakage was another widespread problem found across all models. More specifically, oil leaking from the timing chain cover. This issue was most reported between 80,000 and 90,000 miles and cost some model owners upwards of $3500 or more to repair. However, if you know to watch for this problem, it may be preventable.
Water Problems
This problem was more common in models with sunroofs but was reported in models without sunroofs as well. Owners claim their cabin starts to leak, and allow water into the interior of the vehicle, at around 25,000 miles. Unfortunately, this can become quite a costly repair, with some owners reporting having spent over $2000 to fix the problem.
Dashboard Problems
Perhaps one of the weirdest complaints was that of melting dashboards. In fact, Lexus ended up facing a class-action lawsuit because of this problem, and they agreed to fix the fault dashboards at no cost to owners.
Throttle Sticking
Although pricey, most of the repairs above are not nearly as life-threatening as this last one. Many Lexus owners have complained about their throttles sticking under the floor mat of their vehicle. It was most reported around 20,000 miles. Although Lexus has taken steps to fix the issue, it would be a clever idea to have a mechanic double-check the area to ensure that it will not happen to you. Always better to be safe than to be sorry.
How Long Will the Body Last?
The good news is that because of the extra rustproofing protection that is added during manufacturing, rust on a Lexus is almost unheard of. That is not to say that it cannot happen, but Lexus owners can expect their vehicle to go much longer than the average car before seeing any signs of rust.
So, How Long Will A Lexus Last?
When properly maintained, a Lexus will last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles, with some owners boasting even higher mileage from their car. These luxury vehicles sport some of the highest reliability ratings in the premium car class, making this vehicle a good solid choice among drivers.
You may find the following posts helpful:
Should I buy a Tesla or a Lexus?
Are Lexus expensive to maintain?
How many miles will a Prius last?
- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write fluff-free articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.