Common Problems with the
2018 Lexus LS (Mk5)

LS Mk5 models fitted with optional air suspension can develop leaking struts as the rubber bladders perish with age and exposure to road salt. Slow air leaks force the compressor to run continuously, eventually burning out the motor. The car sits low overnight and the ride becomes harsh and bouncy.

The LS 500h's compact 12V auxiliary battery can be drained by the car's connected systems and telematics if the vehicle is left unused for as little as a week. When voltage drops, the car may refuse to unlock, display multiple warning lights, and reset clock and trip settings. A jump start or battery replacement is then required.

The LS Mk5 is a heavy luxury saloon, and the front wheel bearings can develop a growling or humming noise at high mileage. This is most common on cars that have covered significant motorway miles or been driven on poor UK road surfaces.

LS Mk5 models fitted with 20-inch run-flat tyres can transmit significant road roar and vibration into the cabin on coarse UK motorways. The stiff sidewalls wear unevenly, particularly on the inner edges, leading to premature replacement and a degraded driving experience.

Pre-2021 LS Mk5 models use Lexus's touchpad-only Remote Touch interface rather than a touchscreen. The pad is fiddly to use on the move, with laggy cursor response and unintuitive menu navigation. The 2021 facelift replaced this with a touchscreen, so early cars are the ones affected.