2013-2017 Lexus LS 460 Buyer’s Guide - Reliability & Common Problems

2014-2020 Mercedes S Class Reliability Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=pkFCMYdaNP8&feature=sharea

This is a well-reasoned presentation on this car. The suspension (control arms and air components) are problematic and VERY expensive, but once sorted, are fine. They will cost a LOT if you get stuck with the work. Strutmasters worked perfectly for me. I bought an '07 460L with 98k miles 5 years ago and now have 163k miles. While there are specific concerns with the LS, many of the issues with the LS happen to all other cars -- let's be realistic on that. All cars break. The thing the LS offers for me that few other cars offer, and I'd argue no other cars offer for the same cost, is comfort, quiet, reliability, the overall fantastic driving experience. This car EATS UP the road on long trips. I have never enjoyed a car more. I drive from MSP to KC regularly, and this car goes 6 hrs at 80mph on one tank, gets 28-29 mpg (V8s love the highway cruising), and I am enjoying every minute of the stereo, the ride, the seating, all of it. This experience does not exist in smaller cars. When the '07 gets old, I will definitely look at the 2013-17 generation LS as a replacement. I would not buy new. Just too expensive. Buying used is rolling the dice, as are most decisions in life. Do what you think is right. Buying used worked great for me. This channel influenced me to try the LS way back when, and I'm supremely happy that I did. Thanks Meyn. .

I own 2006 LS430. I take it for its scheduled maintenance at my local Toyota dealer with no issues. I considered trading it in for a 2016/17 and was advised against it. IMHO, the LS 2005-06 models are the BEST car Lexus has ever made.

and unfortunately they are a lot of people out there, where think that you buy a Lexus and than you can drive it 10 or more years without any problem 😅, thanks Kevin.

Great video. Everything you said was true!!! I purchased a 2014 LS 460 added an extended warranty for 120k miles. Drove vehicle trouble free for 120k. Shortly after warranty expired and at 127k is when I started having problems. Brake actuator had to be replaced and coolant valley plate was leaking and had to be fixed along with a few other items. Total bill was 6k. I ended up trading my LS 460 for a low mileage 2017 GS 350 F-Sport. The LS 460 is an amazing vehicle. I didn’t want to get rid of it but I could not afford to keep it without a warranty because it is expensive to repair. It is truly a rich man’s vehicle!!!

Hey dude just bought a 14 ls460 with 132k on er its really a dream. Got er for 21 grand with da awd. Its like new in and out doesn't burn a bottle cap of oil in-between oil changes.... made sure to check da coolant and break master before purchase was clean as can be. Got to be a car guru to enjoy a beautiful car like dis. Cars worth 20k all day dats fir sure the v8 alone is so buttery but got a nice punch up top.

I honestly want to upgrade to an LS460 but upon seeing your videos Kevin to how much your spending on suspension alone scared me off and my 07 GS350 has been nothing but great experience so far the 2GR is such easy motor to maintain

Thank you. I watched your previous LS460 and LS430 videos, along with those of other creators and purchased, outright, an '05 LS430 that was taken to the Lexus dealer where it was bought every 5000 miles for service and traded in and put up for sale by that same dealer. It is an absolute joy to drive, a buttery-smooth engine as you said in your LS430 videos. There are few, if any, warranty options for a car that age, and even if you find one that is a one-owner, well-maintained, still plan on spending $2000+ right off the bat, most likely on suspension issues.

I just bought a 2014 166k miles for 13k paid cash. Runs great. Valve cover gaskets leaking going to change that soon myself other than that everything is flawless. Super well maintained interior and exterior

Dude you have convinced me. Bought my LC500 based alot on your advice. Some teenage kid just hit it yesterday :(. I think I am going to sell it if it's not totaled and buy 16-17 LS460.

Your vid is on point as usual bro!

Very practical advice Kevin.

As a UK-based owner of a used 2014 LS460 F-Sport (quite a rare car here compared to the US because nobody bought them), I agree with your advice. Buy cash, and keep in mind this was an ~$80k car when new (~$100k in 2023 money). I love the car, and the only trouble it has given me has been of my own doing or minor issues like battery replacement (after 9 years the original battery just needed replaced) - but running costs here are fairly high, between fuel, road tax, insurance and servicing (probably costs me about £2.5k annually to keep on the road excluding fuel). It's also quite a big car for parking in UK/Europe, but that's also true of the S-Class (which I wasn't quite brave or rich enough to go for, even though our household income is over £200k).

Thanks for the tips these are really useful. Though in my experience most people are not able to be disciplined enough to do this due dilligence nor thoroughly weigh the consequences of making a purchase like this. The only ones that will heed your advice are the ones that already know it, for the most part.

This video is so on point

Got a 2013 f sport ls460 , great car, 80,000 kms, had a water leak that cost $1.2k, Lexus quoted me $3k to replace the analog clock as the dash had to come out, I declined. Front brakes cost $3k but they offered after market brakes pads for half that and in my opinion they are better than Lexus brake pads. Owned it now for 4 years, no regrets

My wife drives a 2014 LS460 now with about 56,000 miles, bought used but Lexus certified, just a windshield wiper rain senser went bad and fixed on warrantee, and recently the analog clock is slowly twisting to the right in it's enclosure, but works fine, I just change the oil once a year, recently had all of the fluids replaced, and it keeps on running. I have otherwise had no problems with this vehicle. A very comfortable interior and a great riding car that soaks up the road, and having had a 1995 and then a 1998 LS 400 which was kept for 19 years, we will keep this car for perhaps another 6-7 years. I really enjoy the V8 engine. Given the horror stories some of my other friends have had with their German cars, I just smirk and remain silent. I have now had 6 different Lexus vehicles, with minimal problems and a joy to own. My daily driver is a 2020 RC350 F-Sport. No complaints what so ever.

People love to believe that Lexus fixed all the 2007-2012 issues on the 2013 and later model----but the data shows that this just isn't true. Improvement, maybe. Solutions, no. Those common issues everyone talks about, control arms and brake actuator, are still problematic 2013 and later. The melting interior plastics are not nearly as big a problem, but I do think people in 2013 and later LS models still report it. I'm not sure about the valley plate leak.

I own an F sport RWD. Beautiful car, hard to find not too many on the road. Couple things, I replaced the Air struts (not cheap!!). Took my car into Lexus for an oil change an control arms are starting to go. I think OEM control arms will be the best bet but they're NOT cheap. Seems like every 9 months I change brakes, this time I'm going after market with high carbon rotors and whatever ceramic pads I can find. I have the F sport so the brakes are more costly than the regular 460,. Now the only thing I hate about the car is the wind noise and the flaky blue tooth... drives me nuts. Other than that, it's a great car, fun to drive and looks so stunning. I'd only recommend the F sport :)

One thing I disagree on with the current generation ES is the seat comfort. The seats in the ES are horrible; rock hard, and I was set to buy this one to replace my current one, but the awful seats turned me off from the whole car. It does look sharp, but a previous generation ES plus a 13-17 LS will be my preferred setup.