JLAWS

Not seeing too many reports of defects. The 2013 LS460 is nearing 7 years old so the verdict should be in. My previously owned rwd 2008 LS460 was a great cruiser, Reliable, comfortable and smooth, fast. I'd love to rekindle that experience. Had great times with the family in it.

I'd like to hear more from 2013+ owners and their experiences so far.

THE_CEO

Any update...on your 2013? So far so good for me...

lexus13dan

I have a 2013 LS, 52,000 miles, Never had a single problem.

swfla

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2013 with air suspension, 60k miles. Replaced clock under warranty, that's it.

LexBob123

I bought 2014 LS AWD CPO in 2017 now have 90k miles. Only problem when fist bought was slight vibration on deceleration above 50 mph. Dealer replaced both front axles under warranty. No problems since, great car.

S1KRR

Never heard of these having any significant problems

7milesout

2010 L model RWD, air suspension, 56k miles. Not 1 problem.

TXLS430

I must have the lemon 2013 LS460. I have ~85,000 and purchased CPO and extended warranty (thankfully) with about 18,000 - 19,000 miles CPO work to date:

1. Trunk motor replaced at 83,000 ($1,700 parts and labor)
2. Door lock actuator passenger side - 72,000 miles
3. Front right shock / strut (shock seal worn and deformed) at 72,000
4. Drivers door actuator at 60,000
5. Battery failed load test (was installed 1/19 with 29,000 miles)
6. Replace right rear shock / strut - leaking at 67,000 miles
7. Replace left front lower strut arm at 67,000
8. Replace right front strut arm bushing torn
9. Replace brake actuator assembly for that damn clunking sound when you brake at 46,000 miles
10. Replace front brake rotors and brake spring at 34,000 - they thought that was causing the clinking sound when braking - They went out of there way on this one to work with me
11. Replace front suspension upper arm assembly RH and LH at 45,302
12. Replace center console clock

In my humble opinion the LS430 outshines the LS460 in terms of quality build. The CPO on my LS430 rarely got used. It expired at 100,000 miles and that is when things started breaking down LS30, better quality. LS460 is a nicer ride, looks more modern and has newer tech, but boy am I glad I purchased the extended warranty, which should last me until 2025. At that point I will be looking at a pre-owned Genesis 90 ( or at least I think I will)

mbarron37

2013 LS 460 L AWD. Replaced front axle for vibration when decelerating. Was replaced under powertrain warranty.

Interestingly, my 2011 that I had previously also needed the front axle replaced for same vibration issue. Something with AWDs vs RWD.

Striker223

Same mileage a 430 will have way less issues than a 460 and be easier to repair, they are also built far better.......only issue is finding sub 75k mike 430s and the fact it seems down on raw power vs a 460.

The 460 is also one of the quietest cars in existence so that's a major plus for it.

EDIT: I now own both so I can compare them fairly easily, the 430 has certain advantages and you can tell the 460 has a good bit of cost cutting. It makes up for these drawbacks with 100 more HP and tighter, more predictable handling when pushed hard and doesn't snap loose all at once. Controls and information displays are inferior/less precise but still work well and you gain tire PSI readouts, it's not a car you can work on on the ground for any and all maintenance items like a 430. Keep that in mind, it's also smaller and feels more constricted if you prefer a more open feeling cabin or are coming from something like a full size truck. In terms of absolute smoothness as well the 430 is superior, this includes engine, trans, interior control feedback/press resistance, and the sound of electricity operated items like the windows and sunroof. Audio is also superior in the 430 by a substantial enough amount it's causing me conflict, at least base vs base not ML.

I prefer driving the 460 hard, but I don't find myself as captured with the build quality as the 430. Stuck in traffic I would rather be in the 430 due to quieter AC, better audio, less jerky trans/engine at low speeds, and I can rest my arms more easily. Final thing I miss a lot is the split glove box, I can't easily partition my insurance car info/car manuals and gun into the top and leave the bottom for other items with a 460. The box is also smaller overall so I found I needed to move my compact scan tool, light, DB meter, and CDs into the center console.

Im the 460 apart unfairly but those are the things I found to have been a downgrade moving up to a 460. I still do consider it a move up however, since I like driving hard often enough it matters to me. If my wife didn't take the 430 though I would probably not have gotten one.

SW17LS

The reality of it is, the more complex a car gets, the more issues there are to pop up. The LS460 is a much more complex and sophisticated car than the LS430, and will need more maintenance and repair as it ages.

Striker223

Very true, the 430 is just a giant Camry with more expensive parts in terms of how hard it is to work on and in some cases easier actually.

The base 460 has nearly as much going on as a UL 430

TominPT

Back when I was looking at LSs 4 or 5 years ago I test drove an LS460 ('08 - '10, IIIRC) and I immediately did not like it - too many weird noises from the suspension, and it seemed rather floaty.. When I test drove my '05 LS430 I had a completely different experience, absolute silence in the power train, incredibly smooth and refined and absolutely no suspension noises or other intrusions on the serene experience at all. Since I bought the LS430 nothing has gone wrong with it all all, incredible build quality, and I can do my own maintenance. I just did not get that same sense of refinement and quality in the LS460.

I am sure if I drove more LS460s in the the 2013 + models I would probably have different imrpressions of it. I may dump my daily VW Passat for a 2013+ LS460 if I find one that meets my expectations and has ultra low mileage.

THE_CEO

Don't worry about the mileage... worry about the service history.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

These and other issues aren't uncommon. Unfortunately, Lexus products and services aren't what they used to be. It's just a big Toyota now. Possibly more reliable than BMW, Audi or MBZ (but that wasn't my experience with BMW vs Lexus).

And, of course, if anything does go wrong out of warranty it costs an arm and a leg to fix.