MODEL
Lexus LS Safety
NHTSA safety across every Lexus LS model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Lexus LS we cover (2019 to 2021), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 2 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Lexus LS is Toyota's flagship full-size luxury sedan, pitched squarely at buyers cross-shopping the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series. For 2019 through 2021, the fifth-generation LS brings a long-wheelbase cabin, available hybrid powertrain, and a reputation for hushed refinement to the upper end of the American luxury market. It is a low-volume, high-prestige vehicle where safety credentials matter as much as comfort.
The 2019 to 2021 Lexus LS lacks a federal crash-test star rating. For a flagship sedan with a price pushing past $80,000, this absence represents a meaningful gap in its safety record. NHTSA did not test the vehicle in any of these model years, preventing the assignment of a federal Safety Index score. NHTSA received only six owner complaints across the entire 2019 to 2021 production run. These filings reported zero crashes, zero fires, zero injuries, and zero deaths. This is an exceptionally low complaint volume for a three-year period, although low sales volume likely contributes to this figure. Two recalls were issued across these model years. This number is not alarming for a low-volume luxury vehicle. Prospective buyers should confirm any open recall work has been completed prior to purchase, using NHTSA's VIN lookup tool. The federal safety picture for the LS is incomplete due to the lack of crash-test data. While owner complaints are minimal, buyers cannot rely on NHTSA star ratings for an independent safety verification.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Lexus LS as one of the most refined and serene cabins in the full-size luxury segment, praising its exceptionally quiet ride, high-quality interior materials, and composed highway behavior. Some note that its driving dynamics feel more oriented toward comfort than outright sportiness, and a few point to the infotainment interface as a weak spot relative to German rivals. Overall, the consensus treats it as a compelling, distinctly Japanese alternative to European flagships.
- NHTSA did not crash-test the 2019 to 2021 Lexus LS, meaning there are no federal star ratings for this generation. Shoppers should consult IIHS results and cannot rely on NHTSA scores when comparing safety performance.
- Only six owner complaints were submitted to NHTSA across all three covered model years, with zero crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported in those filings. While the low sales volume contributes to this small number, the complaint record is notably clean.
- Two recalls were issued across the 2019 to 2021 model years. Before buying any used LS from this period, run the VIN through NHTSA's free recall database to confirm all recall repairs have been performed by a Lexus dealer.
- Because this is a low-volume flagship, owner-reported safety data is limited compared to high-volume vehicles. Treat the small complaint count as a positive signal, but recognize it reflects fewer total vehicles on the road rather than a statistically robust sample.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Lexus LS with 1 recalls.