IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2018–2019 Lexus LC

We've identified 2 known issues that can affect the 2018–2019 Lexus LC. None are considered critical, but they're worth knowing about before you buy.

2
Known Issues
0
Serious
1
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

12V Auxiliary Battery Discharge During Low-Usage Periods

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

Because the Lexus LC is often cherished as a weekend leisure car or grand tourer, vehicles frequently sit unused for weeks at a time. The car complex network of networked control modules, keyless entry transceivers, active suspension sensors, and alarm systems maintains a continuous parasitic draw. Within 10 to 14 days of standing without a battery conditioner, the 12V auxiliary battery voltage drops below threshold, triggering random electrical fault codes, disabling smart entry, and leaving the vehicle unable to start.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£450
Warning Signs:

Car fails to respond to keyless entry door handle touch sensors, Slow engine cranking on V8 models or complete failure to enter READY mode on hybrid LC 500h, Erratic electrical warning lights displayed on the instrument cluster upon initial startup, Power windows, mirrors, or active rear spoiler lose automatic memory positioning

What to Inspect:
  • Ask the current owner if the car has been kept on a continuous trickle charger during winter storage
  • Test 12V battery state of charge and load capacity using a dedicated digital battery analyzer
  • Check the boot floor compartment for signs of battery replacement or acid vent pipe displacement
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Run-Flat Tyre Inner Shoulder Stepped Wear and Cabin Roar

MinorSuspension & Chassis

UK-specification LC models equipped with 20-inch and 21-inch forged alloy wheels use stiff-sidewall Bridgestone or Michelin run-flat tyres paired with aggressive negative camber and toe settings. On uneven and potholed British tarmac, the inner tread blocks of both front and rear tyres develop severe cupping and heel-and-toe stepped wear. This generates a pronounced low-frequency drone or roaring sound at speeds between 40mph and 70mph, frequently misdiagnosed by owners as wheel bearing failure.

Est. Repair Cost: £600–£1,400
Warning Signs:

Loud humming, buzzing, or roaring noise from the tyres at motorway cruising speeds, Stepped or saw-tooth tread wear pattern felt when running a hand along the inner tyre shoulder, Vibration felt through the steering wheel or seat base on smooth asphalt, MOT advisory for uneven tyre tread wear across the breadth of the tyre

What to Inspect:
  • Turn the front wheels to full lock and thoroughly inspect the innermost 2 inches of tyre tread for cord exposure
  • Run a flat hand across the tyre tread blocks feeling for ridges or uneven block heights
  • Verify whether a four-wheel laser alignment check has been completed after any pothole impacts
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2018–2019 Lexus LC

  • Keep the vehicle on a dedicated battery conditioner or CTEK trickle charger when parked for more than a week, as the complex electrical architecture draws high quiescent standby current.
  • On Convertible models, cycle the soft top through its full opening and closing cycle, ensuring the rear tonneau latches quietly and fabric tension is uniform.
  • Inspect the front lower lip and underbody aerodynamics carefully; the LC has a long front overhang and low ride height that easily scrapes on aggressive UK speed humps.
  • Check tyre wear on the inner edges of the 21-inch forged wheels; performance run-flat tyres can develop stepped wear and severe road rumble if geometry is misaligned.
  • Ensure annual dealer services have been logged continuously to keep the vehicle covered by the 10-year/100,000-mile Lexus Relax warranty package.
20172020
Check a 2018–2019 Lexus LC by Registration