Lexus as we all know is the premium brand under Toyota and as a result, similar reliability is expected from their cars as well. The Lexus LS460 is a luxurious fullsize sedan that offers great features while being priced lesser than its rivals. However, Lexus managed to sell only over 8,000 units of this car, which is a rather low number considering this to be affordable in the luxury category. With a user network so small, it is expected for the car to carry a very limited number of complaints and hence, the LS460 only has 4 complaints registered on NHTSA. This doesn’t necessarily mean the car is reliable but this could also be a result of high competition from German cars like the Porsche Panamera, the BMW 7 Series, and the Audi A8L. Users of the Lexus reported facing an uneven steering issue but let’s go through them in detail along with the other issues the users reported.
User complaints and problems
Mechanical Problems
- Brakes – The user stated that the brakes shoot and the vehicle vibrated, while it was noticed that the braking performance deteriorated by a noticeable margin. The car was taken to the dealers and the brake rotors were replaced but unfortunately, that did not help and the issue recurred again. Some research online revealed that there is a service bulletin for the same issue which stated that a small modification was to be performed on the brake calipers while they also replace the brake pads with securing hardware. The repairs were performed under warranty and the brakes operated normally.
- Steering wheel – The User found the steering to move easily to the right side while it had the right tension when turning left. It was also noticed that there was a slight imbalance in the steering position and when the wheel is turned right, it failed to return back to the default position. Since the wheels would freely turn to the right, driving over a pothole or a bump would cause the vehicle to sway towards the right side. Dealers updated the electronic pressure controller in the steering rack and the issue was resolved.
- Suspension – The user noticed a noise from the front end of the car, especially when making turns. The vehicle was also found to feel rough when driving over bumps and was taken to the dealers. The inspection revealed that bother the front upper control arms and bushings were damaged and needed to be replaced.
Safety Problems
- Airbags – Upon initial start-up of the engine, the contact noticed an airbag failure warning. The car was taken to the dealers and it was said that the warning light went away but the mechanics obtained a code that was related to an open circuit on the headrest inflator. The mechanics got the headrest inflator and the center airbag electronic control unit sensor assembly replaced.
2012 Lexus LS460 recalls
The 2012 Lexus LS460 does not have any recalls so far.
Should you buy the 2012 Lexus LS460?
The 2012 Lexus LS460 is a sedan that packs in some reliability and there haven’t been many issues reported on forums by the users, making the overall complaints stay low. What really took a toll on the sales of the Lexus is its competition as buyers in the luxury segment would not mind paying the extra money if they are able to access cars from a bigger brand that has higher quality in terms of the build and materials used. However, the Lexus LS460 would be the ideal choice if you’re looking to save some money and need a premium sedan that requires only a reasonable maintenance cost. With its premium drive and build quality paired with daily usable reliability, the Lexus LS460 is an underrated car that is worth every penny it asks for.
