Highest Ranked: 2006 Lexus LS 430
Not only did the 2006 Lexus LS 430 rank as the most dependable large premium car in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study,SM it also earned a record-setting index score for problem-free ownership, scoring the best performance in the history of the survey. In its final year before a complete redesign, the 2006 Lexus LS 430 carried over from 2005 with no significant modifications. It continued to be powered by a 4.3-liter V-8 engine making 290 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Buyers looking for greater engagement with the road could choose a firmer suspension and 18-inch wheels. Standard safety features included knee air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger, headlights that swiveled with the steering to help see better in the dark, and a reversing camera displaying objects behind the car on the navigation screen. Available features included heated and cooled rear seats, front seats with a massage feature, and a keyless entry and ignition system.

Among the five models in the Large Premium Car segment, the LS 430 achieves an index score of 61 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles), compared to the segment average of 126 PP100—a difference of 65 PP100. According to original owners of the 2006 Lexus LS 430, the top five problem areas are:

* Exterior mirrors
* Navigation system map missing or wrong
* Battery failed
* Tire-pressure-monitoring system
* Wind noise

 

good to know...

 

wow nice!! im happy to know that now haha!

 

Hey... don't forget the LS400

 

Aside from battery failure, the top 5 issues are not extremely serious! L.G.N.M

 

I wouldn't call those 5 things problems.Life will not be far if there's nothing for you to do or fix on a car....

 

However, I have yet to run into any of the problem listed.

Randy B

 

yes sir!! and i drive one of them..........haha

 

wind noise....lol that's a nice problem to have on your top 5

 

Something just seems fishy with those numbers, IMO. I agree that the LS is a very problem-free car (my LS at 62K miles and SIX (6) years of age has had exactly ONE (1) problem (mirror control switch). What I think is fishy is that the class average is 126 PP100. I just don't believe that. I do not believe that Audi, MB, domestics, and all others in the class average only 1.26 problems over a period of 3 years. I wonder what the details of the reporting system are...

 

...how much more reliable a car a Lexus can be. I can speak on Benz,BMW and Audi's issues via my ownership of those makes of cars and friends experiences with them as well! The Lexus by far is just far above the rest in reliability and the ironic thing for me is the one company never mentioned as a reliable luxury car is another Asian made car, Acura! Acura via my girlfriends ownership for the last 8 years of 3 Acuras compared to my 4 Lexus' we have had very few issues with our cars and in my 12 years of owning Lexus' and other luxury brands the Lexus is far above the others and the only make that in my experience to come close is the Acura!

I agree its hard to see the other makes average of 126 but, remember its an average only and some makes rate as high as possible for issues and that makes a 126 average as well! Lexus focused on reliability while the other makes(except Acura) focused on looks and sporty rides! L.G.N.M

 

I totally agree about Acura. I've owned 3 over the last 10 years, driven them over 250,000 miles, and have had to have something fixed exactly once, and that was for a power seat problem that was a loose connector. My wife's 2006 MDX has been perfect. I currently still have my 2000 Acura and it still runs perfectly. I could hop in it tomorrow and drive cross-country without a thought.

Steve

 

I know this is a Lexus site but, Acura is quite reliable I must admit. My girlfriend has had very few issues and has 140,000 miles on her ride! I like Lexus more of course but, as for the Benz,Audi,BMW and Jag it goes to show when speaking of Acura that price isnt always value being Acura is the less pricey of the autos!

Lexus is a lesser priced auto(starting to get closer in price year by year) and is more reliable as well than the longer tenured autos named BMW,Benz,Audi and Jag! Oh, I hear Infiniti is a pretty reliable car as well. Anyone have any info on Infiniti's reliability at all!