Here Are The Lexus LS 460 Years To Avoid
LS 460 by Enigma3542002 — CC-BY-SA-4.0
If you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle, the Lexus LS 460 is probably on your mind as an option. A relatively new model from Lexus, the design is luxurious and beautiful without being overstated, making it a fantastic choice.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t Lexus LS 460 years to avoid. Even luxury vehicles can have problems with their design and production, and the LS 460 is no exception.
Let’s take a closer look at the years to avoid the most common problems and determine which models are better for buying used Lexus LS 460.
Lexus LS 460 Years You Should Avoid
Unfortunately, the Lexus LS 460 was plagued with some problems early in its release. Since this is a relatively new model of Lexus, that can be a big problem for people looking for used models since more recent releases seem to be doing a lot better than the older ones.
Here are the primary model years to avoid when it comes to the Lexus LS 460.
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
As the release of this vehicle continued, the problems were mostly resolved. This means that the initial 2007 model is the worst in terms of performance, user satisfaction, and the number of complaints and issues. Thankfully, each successive year represents a significant performance improvement, and there haven’t really been any serious problems with the LS 460 since 2011.
That doesn’t mean that the newer Lexus LS 460 models are perfect, just that they don’t have enough problems to stand out as Lexus LS 460 years to avoid.
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The Most Common Lexus LS 460 Problems
Unfortunately, unlike many of the problems we review in other vehicles, the issues with the Lexus LS 460 can be pretty severe. That’s one of the biggest reasons it’s essential to pay attention to the Lexus LS 460 years to avoid since these problems can be rather severe and usually come with costly repairs.
Melting Interiors
The number one problem with Lexus LS 460, especially in the early years? The interiors weren’t designed for the kind of heat a car’s interior can build up. That meant that portions of the dash and armrests were literally melting when the vehicles were left in the sun for too long.
Melted interiors can come with a host of problems. Sometimes this is just a cosmetic issue, but it can also expose wiring, contribute to airbag failures, and other serious problems. Plus, melted plastics can let off VOCs and aren’t usually safe to be around without the help of a respirator.
This problem is incredibly serious, but thankfully it’s a relatively rare problem and doesn’t affect more recent models of LS 460.
Brake Actuator Failure
Another serious problem has to do with the brake system. One of the most specific failures we were able to find has to do with the brake actuator.
Like any brake failure, this can have a range of problems, from unpleasant noises when you brake and running through to braking failures or causing damage to other wheel components. Since your brake actuator isn’t one of the parts likely to fail just from wear and tear, this can also be a relatively expensive repair if you start to have this problem.
General Brake Failures
In addition to brake actuator failures, there are reports of a wide range of general braking issues and brake failures. There were just some design problems regarding the braking systems on the Lexus LS 460, especially for the Lexus LS 460 years to avoid.
More recent models have resolved the problem for the most part, but if you have an older model, it’s vital to get your brakes checked regularly.
Unfortunately, some of the problems with the braking system can occur quickly, so regular maintenance may not be enough to catch a developing problem.
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Cracked Suspension Brushings
The last issue is another expensive one and has to do with the suspension system. The Lexus LS 460 years to avoid also tended to have an issue with the suspension brushings, specifically with the brushings cracking and stopping working properly, which can lead to a much less pleasant ride.
Unfortunately, replacing your suspension brushings can quickly run into thousands of dollars, so brushing failures are a severe problem, especially after only a few thousand miles.
Again though, the more recent models don’t seem to have this problem, and it’s much less common even when they do.
Safety Issues
Some of the worst issues of the Lexus LS 460 lie with its safety features. One particularly bad safety issue is related to the LS 460’s braking. According to numerous NHTSA complaints, the vehicle’s actuator on the ABS or anti-lock braking system tends to fail. Before the ABS feature fails, drivers reportedly have seen the electronic stability control light come on. In some cases, the front brakes lock up, which is undoubtedly dangerous.
Another safety-related issue with the LS 460 is its vehicle speed control function. Although the reports aren’t as widespread, it still counts as a severe issue due to the increased risk of crashing. In many reports, drivers claimed that their vehicle accelerated out of control while driving at low speeds or after a stop. A few people reported having experienced a surprising amount of deceleration as they depressed the accelerator pedal.
According to one report, the acceleration issue was so bad that he hit the tree and caused significant damage to the LS 460. For some reason, Lexus has failed to issue a recall for this particular issue.
Reliable Lexus LS 460 Model Years
So far, it seems like the Lexus LS 460 is only getting more reliable with time, which is fantastic news. From 2013 on, most Lexus LS 460 models have high ratings and are considered high performers, even among other luxury vehicles.
That’s fantastic news since the Lexus LS 460 has fixed many of the problems. It also shows that the Lexus LS 460 was initially plagued by parts issues more than design problems. Plastic with a too low melting point might be a serious problem, but it’s also relatively easy to replace the plastic with a better formula.
Since Lexus has been committed to fixing the problems with their Lexus LS 460 years to avoid, they haven’t seemed to have a bad problem since getting the initial issues worked out.
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Which Lexus LS 460 Models Are Good Used Vehicles?
Since most Lexus LS 460s are relatively new vehicles (the oldest model was released in 2007), there isn’t much of a used market for these vehicles yet. However, it’s worth noting that more recent models are a lot better when getting a used LS 460.
We wouldn’t recommend models older than 2013 since they have relatively high rates of problems and user complaints. That said, the worst used model is almost certainly the 2007 model, but this vehicle gets more reliable with every year it’s been released.
The model year is only one consideration if you’re looking for a reliable Lexus LS 460. You should also look at the mileage, maintenance history, and other details about your Lexus LS 460 to see if it’s an excellent option to buy used.
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