2021 Lexus LS: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Lexus LS at 21–28 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
21–28
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as LS HYBRID, LS500.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Lexus dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Lexus LS recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Lexus LS, newest first.
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification: Front passenger
NHTSA 24V275000Reported Apr 17, 2024
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 24LA03)
Units affected
509 (estimate)
Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.
Electronic stability control (ESC): Control module: Software
NHTSA 22V239000Reported Apr 13, 2022
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 22TA03, 22LA01)
Units affected
458,110 (estimate)
Problem
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk
Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Lexus LS fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Lexus LS crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2021 Lexus LS NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Lexus LS 500 4 DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2021 Lexus LS 500 4 DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2021 Lexus LS 500h 4 DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2021 Lexus LS 500h 4 DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Lexus LS owner complaints
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Lexus LS, most recently on May 26, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Lexus LS complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Unknown or other
2
Engine
1
Exterior lighting
1
Tires: Tread/belt
1
Wheels
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
