After 4 years of ownership I still love my LS. I am so glad I found a Custom Luxury in exact color combo I wanted.
For the purpose of this thread I am keeping my pink glasses aside and request you all to do the same.
Even though the power train on this car is very reliable there are seemingly minor problems that take a lot of money to fix at a dealer or even at Indy.
I am starting a list so that it might help new buyers make decision about potential warranty purchase.
Items should be a typical failure experienced by many and not one off problem. Regular maint items are not included in this list.

Here is the format
Problem
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $z

Mirrors don't adjust and tilt-down failure
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost few dollars for a contact cleaner and few minutes of time to clean inside mirror controls. disassemble switch, clean contacts (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...r-adjujst.html). Tiltdown only works when switch set to left or right (not middle). Switch makes poor contact inside when set left or right, making it think it is set to the middle (open) position.

Mirrors don't fold or go all the way forward
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $z

Mirror housing - intermittent power unfolding
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $0 - just don't pressure wash them in the winter. When folding works intermittently, rock the folding switch back and forth and the mirrors will move slightly each time until it reaches normal position. Power folding works perfectly fine when it's above 0C. If yours are worse, see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-05-cents.html

Air Suspension (UL only) fails
Dealer Cost Convert to OEM Sport shocks/Tanabe NF210 springs. $1300 parts/labor
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $z

O2 sensors fail
Dealer Cost $200 each, dealer part, labor included
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $z

Trunk struts fail
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $39 each and 10 minutes to change. FIGS Engineering - $80 for both

Automatic door lock actuators fail
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $5 dc motor and few hours of time

Power tilt/telescope steering fails
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost Turn telescoping off $0, Lubricate gears for few dollors and avoid this problem.

Steering column tilt-telescope motor squeaking
Dealer Cost TSIB ST001-04 - $120-240
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost Replace rubber grommet 45768-60011 - $3, lubricate moving parts as required. See https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...4-ls430-2.html

Parking sensor failure due to rock chips and/or incorrect paint thickness
Dealer Cost $177-280 for part 89341-50011J0, $120-240 for labor
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $177-280 for part 89341-50011J0. Or you can try sanding the paint off, repainting, and repeating until you find the correct paint thickness that works.

Subwoofer blows
Dealer Cost $x
Indy Cost $y
DIY Cost $300 for OEM, $100 for aftermarket, or $2 for glue

Trunk struts fail to support trunk lid
Dealer cost: (unknown)
DIY cost: FIGS Engineering - $80 for both

O2 Sensor - Bank 2 Sensor 1 - DTC P0155 (Heater Element Failed) @ 84000kms/8 years in-service
Dealer cost: $371
DIY cost: $58 for OEM Denso part 234-4630 (Lexus part 89465-50130)

Warped front rotors
Dealer cost: $150 per rotor, $171 labor
DIY cost: $95 per rotor, part 43512-50220, + 2 caliper bolts, part 90105-14151, $4.34 each


This is all I can think of for now. Don't show it to BMW or Mercendes owners otherwise they might laugh at this list.
Please provide your input and I will update the list.

 

One problem I just recently started to have is when I "Pop" my trunk open.. and then go to close it it wont close... like somethings jammed. If you hit the button on the remote again or in the car then you can close it with no problem. Upon inspection I realized the upper locking mech on the trunk has this little silver hook inside it that retracts... well it doesnt retract unless you hit the button a second time or manually push it back with your finger.

I am going to try and grease it up today to see if that works. If not Ill either have to get a new locking mechanism or keep hitting the button again after its open or manually push it back. Pics to follow in the next day or so.

Other than that the only other issue i have is my telescoping feature wont work on my steering wheel, wheel will move up and down but when u try and adjust it forward and back it just makes the clicking sound... a write up on that would be useful as well.

Thanks for the great thread. And I wouldnt worry too much about the BMW and Benz guys.... Last i heard a new seal costs them a grand.

 

The only problem I have experienced with batteries not lasting. I love my Lexus. My daughter drove it for the first time a few months ago - she could not believe the wonderful ride of the car.

 

Considering I'm getting 70 to 80K worth of car for 20k to 30k, I'll happily pay the premium on repairs for a few years. I had my 04 LS until this year and if I hadn't totaled it, would have kept it for another 5 years at least.

Best car on the road. It's thanks to Lexus making sure gadgets on the LS keep working longer than 3 to 5 years that your new 750 or SL550 are even better now than they were 10 years ago. The LS was cheaper, had the same fit and finish AND superior quality.

Maybe Lexus design won't win any awards (although I like it) but you can't beat the quality! As far as cost, I think I spent more money on repairs for my 95 Impala SS in the 7 years I owned it than I ever spent on my '04 LS 430 that I bought used in '07 for 35K.

 

95% of mirrors not adjusting is the switch inside the cockpit. Cheap fix.

 

I had the telescoping thing when I first purchased my car and subsequently disabled the automatic move away feature. The O2 sensor has been the only actual repair I have done in 3 years of ownership. Of course it helps to have a base model with the Nav/Levinson option. Almost all our cars will need speakers due to the foam disintergrating and being poorly made.

 

ive owned mine for 3yrs and havent had any issues other then regular services which i preform myself.one of the easyest cars that i ever worked on.
i did however have my transmission fluid flushed at my local toyota dealer yesterday.would of done it myself if i owned a machine.

06 ls430 ml w83k miles.
i did have to change the trunk struts paid 39 dollars and 10 minutes to change.

 

Repair wise within almost 5 years of owning my LS:
1. O2 sensors. Two top sensors were changed. $200 each, dealer part, labor included.
2. One parking sensor is acting up sometimes. Haven't changed it yet.
3. Both mirrors are finicky with closing, one worse than the other. Not a switch problem. I just keep them in open position for now.
4. Radiator started a small leak on a top seam. Already have the new dealer part - $379. Plus ~$180-200 to put it in.
5. Speakers! All door speakers and sub changed.
6. Air suspension went. Converted to OEM Sport shocks/Tanabe NF210 springs. $1300 parts/labor.

Everything else is maintenance, like TB/WP, oil, brakes/rotors, tires, spark plugs, motor/tranny mounts etc.

 

3 years of ownership and 20k miles later, I've only had one non-maintenance issue:

Blown hood struts - DIY cost was $75 per side from Sewell Lexus for the OEM part.

 

At 119000kms and 11 years in-service (4 years under my ownership), here are my maintenance issues and costs:
EDIT: At 130000kms, 12 years 6 months in-service, I've spent about $4000CAD in maintenance and repair. Big items were

Trunk struts fail to support trunk lid
Dealer cost: (unknown, did not consider OEM since they fail quickly and often)
DIY cost: FIGS Engineering - $80 for both

Replace brake pads (wear sensors not activated) - 80000km/7 years in-service
Dealer cost: (unknown - did not bother to inquire since this job is so easy)
DIY cost: $50 per pad, 2 pads per axle, front 04465-50240, rear 04466-50091

O2 Sensor - Bank 2 Sensor 1 - DTC P0155 (Heater Element Failed) @ 84000kms/8 years in-service
Dealer cost: $371
DIY cost: $58 for OEM Denso part 234-4630 (Lexus part 89465-50130)

Replace car battery @ 85000km/8 years in-service
DIY cost: $130 for 800CCA (Interstate MTP-24F)

Warped front rotors @ 85000km/8 years in-service
Dealer cost: $150 per rotor, $171 labor
DIY cost: $95 per rotor, part 43512-50220, + 2 caliper bolts, part 90105-14151, $4.34 each

Replace&recalibrate air suspension sensors (rear right was slightly low from factory, greatly exacerbated when someone lightly rear-ended me)
Dealer cost: $544.20 for each of the 2 rear sensors (parts 89407-50060 and 89408-50060), $228 labor. Insurance fully covered due to no-fault.

Parking brake squeaking when someone gets in/out of the car, 112000kms/11 years in-service
Dealer cost: $176 for 1.5 hours of labor to disassemble, clean&lube parking brake shoe contact and pivot points
DIY cost: A bottle of brake cleaner and a tube of synthetic high temperature brake grease

AC hissing sound from behind brake pedal due to insufficient refrigerant @ 112000km/11 years in-service
Dealer cost: $150 for A/C system inspection and leak test, $150 for R134a recharge, 7hrs labor/$1200 to replace leaking rear evaporator high-pressure line
Independent: $175 for A/C evacuate+recharge+leak test
DIY: Top up refrigerant as needed - see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ith-video.html

Root cause of insufficient refrigerant is leak in rear evaporator high pressure line @ 113000km/11 years in-service
Dealer cost: $1500 total: $150 for A/C inspection, $800 for 7 hours of labor, $350 for the high pressure tube, $114 for R-134, $55 for clamps, screws, bolts, o-rings.
Independent: I would not trust an independent to do this properly
DIY: Definitely not DIYable

AC Evaporator Odor
This problem went away after I had my rear AC line replaced and system recharged. I suspect low refrigerant caused the evaporators to run warmer than they should, thereby not condensing as much water as it should. This condensation is required for self-cleaning.
Dealer cost: N/A - TSIB T-AC002-97 does not have a Canadian equivalent and my local dealer does not use the Toyota A/C Refresher Kit, BG Frigi-Clean, DWD2 Evaporator System Cleaner, or TUNAP Contrasept products
Independent cost: $100-200
DIY cost: $40 - see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...efreshing.html.

Slight rattle from rusted heat shield clamp on front exhaust
DIY cost: Free, just crawl under the car, rip off the old clamp, replace with any stainless steel hose clamp.

DTC P0430 (Passenger Side Catalyst Low Efficiency) - Y-pipe gasket failure due to age/corrosion @ 118,000km/11 years in-service
You have to drop the Y-pipe, meaning left and right gaskets and components need replacing
DIY cost: 2 exhaust gaskets ($17.94), 8 flat washers ($2.16), 8 lock washers ($1.76), 4 bolts ($5.64), total $27.50
Independent cost: Parts $27.50, labour 2hrs = $220, total $250.

Mark Levinson 8" Subwoofer foam surround detachment @ 119700km/11 years in-service
DIY cost: $23, foam surround part # FSK-8M-Toyota from SimplySpeakers.com
Dealer: Subwoofer part # 86160-0W260, $298.68, + probably 2 hours of labour to install

Mirror glass adjust and tilt-down failure
DIY: Free - disassemble switch, clean contacts (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...r-adjujst.html). Tiltdown only works when switch set to left or right (not middle). Switch makes poor contact inside when set left or right, making it think it is set to the middle (open) position.

Mirror housing - intermittent power unfolding
DIY: $0 - just don't pressure wash them in the winter. When folding works intermittently, rock the folding switch back and forth and the mirrors will move slightly each time until it reaches normal position. Power folding works perfectly fine when it's above 0C. If yours are worse, see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...d-mirrors.html and https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ly-photos.html and https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-05-cents.html

DTC P0430 (Passenger Side Catalyst Low Efficiency) - passenger side exhaust pipe crack underneath heat shield @ 128,000km/12 years in-service
Replace the entire Y-pipe with aftermarket pipe that includes the catalyst, do not reinstall corrosion-causing heat shields/clamps
DIY cost: 1 Y-Pipe ($400), 2 exhaust gaskets ($17.94), 8 flat washers ($2.16), 8 lock washers ($1.76), 4 bolts ($5.64), total $427.50
Independent cost: Parts $27.50, labour 2hrs = $220, total $250.
Dealer cost: Y-Pipe (part # 18450-50350) $1300, labour 2 hours

Driver-side power door lock motor failed @ 129,000km/12 years in-service
DIY cost: 1 x 10mm Flat Shaft, FC-280PC-22125 Door Lock Motor, $10
Dealer cost: Auto-closer actuator assembly $700, labour 2 hours

Steering column tilt-telescope motor squeaking (I haven't performed this yet)
Dealer cost: TSIB ST001-04 - $120-240
DIY: Replace rubber grommet 45768-60011 - $3, lubricate moving parts as required. See https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...4-ls430-2.html

5W-30 engine oil
Dealer: $100 at Lexus, $50 at Toyota, both use non-synthetic per spec
DIY: $25 for 4.5L synthetic 5W-30, $15 for the 90915-20004 filter ($3.73 for the lower quality YZZD3 filter)

Clean MAF sensor / throttle body / smog sensor
Dealer cost: (unknown - did not inquire due to ease of service)
DIY cost: $5 - some 70% isopropyl alcohol, Q-Tips, paper towels

Parking sensor failure due to rock chips and/or incorrect paint thickness (I haven't performed this yet)
Dealer cost: $177-280 for part 89341-50011J0, $120-240 for labor
DIY cost: $177-280 for part 89341-50011J0. Or you can try sanding the paint off, repainting, and repeating until you find the correct paint thickness that works.

These are the only issues I've had so far - centre console lid works fine, cupholder works fine, rear sunshade doesn't rattle, amplifier hasn't blown, sunroof doesn't leak and never opened by itself.

I'd say the LS430 is engineered extremely well, designed for ease of replacing parts, and is much more reliable than any other car I've ever heard of. I have never been towed, never had a problem starting the car, never had a problem while driving.

My list does not include lightbulbs or filters - I've changed the suspension rocker switch bulb ($10), the heat seater switch bulb ($10), and some taillamp bulb ($1.50/each), and cabin/engine/seat filters as required. I do fluid changes per the intervals indicated on the maintenance schedule.

 

I have a LS430 Lexus. My left side mirror roter is striped, I think. The mirror folds out and continue to turn. I have to pull it back in place. The mirror itself is fine just like it came from the factory. I backed out to close to my truck and it push it back against the flow before I knew it. It has not stayed in place upon starting the vehicle since. I went to the Lexus dealer and they say I have to replace the entire assembly for $528.00 plus 147.00 labor. Can anybody give me some advice how to fix this with out paying nearly 700.00 for an assembly.

 

I'm trying to find information about fixing problems with my 2004 ls430 folding mirrors. When I try to click on the hyperlink, it reads that it doesn't exist. Any idea what is going on?
UPDATE: Thanks for the help, working now.

 

Just to let you know, The dealer for Toyota in St George, Utah wants $2300 for two mirrors.

 

it works for me

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...d-mirrors.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ly-photos.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-05-cents.html