The 2021 Lexus LX 570 is the best LX model year: NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 complaints for it, and the 2020 LX 570 is just as clean at #2. The 2016 LX 570 is #3. Years are ranked on NHTSA recalls and complaints, with each labeled by its LX 450, LX 470, LX 570 or LX 600 generation.
Buyers who want the 2003 refresh with side curtain air bags
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2021 Lexus LX 570 (J200)
Best newest LX
2025 Lexus LX 600 (J310)
Best older LX
2007 Lexus LX 470 (J100)
Best collector
1997 Lexus LX 450 (J80)
Best to avoid
2003 Lexus LX 470 (J100)
The ranking
1
2021 Lexus LX 570 (J200)
Photo: 750h+ / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cleanest LX 570.
Model: LX 570 (J200), final model yearNHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2021 LX 570NHTSA complaints: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 LX 570Engine: 5.7 L V8 with 383 hp and 403 lb-ft (US and Canada)US sales: 3,563 sold in the US in 2021, the last year of the LX 570
The 2021 LX 570 is the last year of the J200 generation: NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 complaints, and it has the 5.7 L V8 with 383 hp and 403 lb-ft. 3,563 were sold in the US in 2021.
Go ifBuyers who want the last, most-sorted LX 570
Skip ifYou want the newer LX 600 V6 and interior
Why #1 over #2: It matches the 2020 car’s clean record as the final, most-sorted LX 570.
2
2020 Lexus LX 570 (J200)
Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA clean late LX 570.
Model: LX 570 (J200)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2020 LX 570NHTSA complaints: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 LX 570Engine: 5.7 L V8 with 383 hp and 403 lb-ft (US and Canada)Towing: Up to 8,500 lb
The 2020 LX 570 also shows 0 recall campaigns and 0 complaints at NHTSA, with the same 383 hp V8 and up to 8,500 lb of towing.
Go ifBuyers who want a late LX 570 with no NHTSA recalls
Skip ifYou want the 2021 final-year car
Why #2 over #3: It has 0 recalls where the 2016 LX 570 has 1.
3
2016 Lexus LX 570 (J200)
Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe interior refresh.
Model: LX 570 (J200), new interiorNHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaign listed by NHTSA for the 2016 LX 570 (passenger air bag seat belt tension sensor wire harness)NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 LX 570What changed: Unveiled at Pebble Beach with an all-new interior; only the doors and roof carried overEngine: 5.7 L V8 with 383 hp and 403 lb-ft (US and Canada)
The 2016 LX 570 brought the all-new interior unveiled at Pebble Beach; NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign (a passenger air bag wire harness) and 2 complaints.
Go ifBuyers who want the 2016 interior update at a lower age
Skip ifYou want zero recalls (2020-2021)
Why #3 over #4: It has 1 recall and 2 complaints, against 2 recalls for the 2015 car.
4
2015 Lexus LX 570 (J200)
Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNo complaints, two recalls.
Model: LX 570 (J200), earlier interiorNHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2015 LX 570 (passenger air bag wire harness and fuel pump)NHTSA complaints: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 LX 570What changed: The 2013 refresh added a new grille, bumpers, headlamps and tail lamp lensesEngine: 5.7 L V8 with 383 hp and 403 lb-ft (US and Canada)
The 2015 LX 570 has 0 complaints at NHTSA but 2 recall campaigns, for the passenger air bag wire harness and the fuel pump, with the 383 hp V8 and the 2013 refresh styling.
Go ifBuyers who want a V8 LX 570 with no complaints on file
Skip ifYou want the 2016 interior
Why #4 over #5: Its 0 complaints and V8 power keep it ahead of the 2025 LX 600’s thin record.
5
2025 Lexus LX 600 (J310)
Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNew and clean so far.
Model: LX 600 (J310)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2025 LX 600NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 LX 600Engine: 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 with 409 hp and 479 lb-ft and a 10-speed automaticUS sales: 7,464 sold in the US in 2025
The 2025 LX 600 has 0 recall campaigns and 2 complaints at NHTSA, with a 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 making 409 hp and 479 lb-ft; 7,464 were sold in the US in 2025. Its record is short because it is new.
Go ifBuyers who want a new LX 600 and the newest design
Skip ifYou want a long track record
Why #5 over #6: Its 0 recalls beat the 1 recall on the final 2007 LX 470.
6
2007 Lexus LX 470 (J100)
Photo: OSX / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best LX 470.
Model: LX 470 (J100), final yearNHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaign listed by NHTSA for the 2007 LX 470 (steering shaft snap ring)NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 LX 470Final year: Last LX 470 model year; 400 Black Onyx Limited Edition units were builtUS sales: 2,468 sold in the US in 2007
The 2007 LX 470 is the last year of the J100, with 1 recall campaign (steering shaft snap ring) and 4 complaints at NHTSA; only 400 Black Onyx Limited Edition units were built, and 2,468 sold in the US.
Go ifBuyers who want the most refined, last LX 470
Skip ifYou want modern safety tech
Why #6 over #7: It has 4 complaints against 7 for the 1997 LX 450.
7
1997 Lexus LX 450 (J80)
Photo: Mark Brown from Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe original LX.
Model: LX 450 (J80)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 1997 LX 450NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 LX 450Engine: 4.5 L inline-six with 215 hp and 275 lb-ftLaunch price: US$47,995 for the 1996 originalUS sales: More than 9,000 sold in 1997
The 1997 LX 450 has 0 recall campaigns at NHTSA and 7 complaints. Its 4.5 L inline-six makes 215 hp and 275 lb-ft, and the 1996 original launched at US$47,995.
Go ifCollectors who want the original Lexus Land Cruiser
Skip ifYou want V8 power
Why #7 over #8: It has 0 recalls where the 2005 LX 470 has 3.
8
2005 Lexus LX 470 (J100)
Photo: Rutger van der Maar / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe award year.
Model: LX 470 (J100)NHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2005 LX 470 (daytime running lights, steering shaft and side curtain air bag control module)NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 LX 470Award: J.D. Power named the LX 470 the most reliable luxury SUV over three years in 2005Complaints data: CarComplaints has few complaints on file for the LX 470 and says the worst category is electrical
The 2005 LX 470 has 3 recall campaigns and 9 complaints at NHTSA, but J.D. Power named the LX 470 the most reliable luxury SUV over three years in 2005.
Go ifBuyers who want a J.D. Power-honored LX 470
Skip ifYou want the 2006 LED tail lamps
Why #8 over #9: It has no engine recall like the one on the 2022 LX 600.
9
2022 Lexus LX 600 (J310)
Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictEngine recall year.
Model: LX 600 (J310), first yearNHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaign listed by NHTSA under the 2022 LX 600 (stability control software); NHTSA campaign 24V381000 also covers 2022-2023 LX600 vehicles with a V35A engine, where debris may cause main bearing failure and the remedy is a free engine replacementNHTSA complaints: 5 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 LX 600Launch: Unveiled October 13, 2021 on the J300 Land Cruiser platformEngine: 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 with 409 hp and 479 lb-ft
The 2022 LX 600 was the first year of the J310. NHTSA lists a stability control software recall and 5 complaints, and a separate recall covers V35A engines where debris may cause main bearing failure, with a free engine replacement.
Go ifBuyers who want the first LX 600 with the engine fix completed
Skip ifYou want no engine recall history
Why #9 over #10: Its 5 complaints beat the 21 for the 2003 LX 470.
10
2003 Lexus LX 470 (J100)
Photo: 2007FordExplorer / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe most complaints.
Model: LX 470 (J100), refresh yearNHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2003 LX 470 (daytime running lights, steering shaft and side curtain air bag control module)NHTSA complaints: 21 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 LX 470Worst year: CarComplaints rates 2003 the worst LX 470 year; its top complaint is a no-start costing about $1,000 at an average 140,000 miles2003 refresh: 18-inch wheels, side torso and curtain air bags and variable gear ratio steering
The 2003 LX 470 has 3 recall campaigns and 21 complaints at NHTSA, and CarComplaints rates it the worst LX 470 year; the top complaint is a no-start costing about $1,000 at an average 140,000 miles.
Go ifBuyers who want the 2003 refresh with side curtain air bags
Skip ifYou want the fewest NHTSA complaints
How we ranked these
We ranked each model year on NHTSA recall campaigns first, then NHTSA complaints, then CarComplaints and J.D. Power findings. Years are compared across the LX 450, LX 470, LX 570 and LX 600 generations, each labeled by name. The 2022 LX 600 ranks low because of its engine recall. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Lexus LX model year?
The 2021 LX 570: NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 complaints for it, and it carries the 5.7 L V8 with 383 hp. The 2020 LX 570 has the same clean record.
Which Lexus LX year has the most complaints?
The 2003 LX 470, with 21 complaints filed with NHTSA; CarComplaints also rates 2003 the worst LX 470 year.
Is the LX 600 reliable?
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2025 LX 600, but the 2022 model is covered by a recall for debris that may cause main bearing failure, with a free engine replacement as the remedy.
What was the first Lexus LX?
The LX 450, sold in 1996-1997 with a 4.5 L inline-six making 215 hp; it launched at US$47,995.
Complaints filed with NHTSA at a glance
2016 Lexus LX 570 (J200)2 complaints
2025 Lexus LX 600 (J310)2 complaints
2007 Lexus LX 470 (J100)4 complaints
2022 Lexus LX 600 (J310)5 complaints
1997 Lexus LX 450 (J80)7 complaints
2005 Lexus LX 470 (J100)9 complaints
2003 Lexus LX 470 (J100)21 complaints
Complaints filed with NHTSA, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
