IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2019 Lexus LS (Mk5)

We've identified 5 known issues that can affect the 2019 Lexus LS (Mk5). 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

5
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
2
Minor

All Known Issues

Air Suspension Strut and Compressor Wear

SeriousSuspension & Chassis

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.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,000–£1,600 per strut
Warning Signs:

One corner sitting visibly low after parking overnight, Air compressor running for prolonged periods, Harsh, bouncy ride quality over normal road surfaces

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect ride height at all four arches before starting the car
  • Press the height-adjustment button and verify smooth raising
  • Listen for hissing air leaks around the struts
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

12V Battery Drain

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

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.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£300
Warning Signs:

Car unresponsive to key fob, Multiple warning lights on startup, Settings resetting after the car has been parked

What to Inspect:
  • Ask about the car's typical usage patterns and parking duration
  • Check for a recent 12V battery replacement
  • Test battery voltage after the car has sat for 48 hours
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Wheel Bearing Noise on High-Mileage Examples

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

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.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£500 per side
Warning Signs:

Growling or humming noise that increases with speed, Noise that changes when cornering left or right, Vibration felt through the steering wheel

What to Inspect:
  • Listen for a speed-related growl during the test drive
  • Check for play in the wheel bearings with the car jacked up
  • Review MOT history for wheel bearing advisories
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Run-Flat Tyre Noise and Wear

MinorSuspension & Chassis

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.

Est. Repair Cost: £300 per tyre
Warning Signs:

Loud humming from the tyres at motorway speeds, Vibration through the steering wheel, Premature inner-edge tyre wear

What to Inspect:
  • Check the brand and condition of the tyres
  • Listen for excess road roar at 60mph and above
  • Inspect tyre tread for uneven inner-shoulder wear
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Trackpad Infotainment Controller Unresponsiveness (Pre-2021)

MinorInterior & Trim

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.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£700
Warning Signs:

Cursor jumps or fails to register on the touchpad, Menu navigation is slow and unintuitive, Inputs are difficult to make while driving

What to Inspect:
  • Test the touchpad controller for lag and unresponsiveness
  • Navigate several menus quickly during the test drive
  • Confirm whether the car is a pre- or post-2021 facelift model
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2019 Lexus LS (Mk5)

  • Check the 12V battery health; this car has a high parasitic draw and needs regular driving.
  • Note the ride quality; models with 20-inch run-flat tyres can feel surprisingly firm on broken UK roads.
  • The pre-2021 models use the trackpad-only interface; ensure you are comfortable with it.