Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My ABS Brake System warning lights all came on a few days ago, giving me error codes c1253 and c1256. These codes pertain to a manufacturers defect with Lexus, wherein Lexus generated a customer convenience program that said any LS460 that is less than 10 yrs old OR less than 150k miles can be brought to any dealer and have this brake system replaced at Lexus expense. Please see the attached Lexus notice to dealers. My car is 13 yrs old BUT has only 108k miles; so I asked Lexus Corporate to approve my repair and they denied it due to age. This is a SAFETY issue due to a manufacturers defect from Lexus; therefore I should not have to pay for something simply because I have a low mileage car. Lexus should pay for this due to it being a SAFETY issue. Please help me get Lexus to do so. BTW, I am a long-term Lexus customer having purchased 5 Lexus cars.
For 2 years now I've been getting intermittent abs and traction light come on. It never showed a code when a scanner was plugged in. Every now and then the light would come on when I start the car. As soon as I drive it's gone. Now I have the brake icon on too and my brakes are very weird with it grabbing really hard at times and slow to release. It's the brake actuator that everyone has problems with. I only have 76k miles on my car. I had the valley plate leak at 49k miles. So these 2 things are problems everyone have that Lexus isn't admitting it's their fault. They are not willing to fix the actuator on my car because they supposedly sent a customer letter that I've never received
ABS Brake Actuator Brake Booster Pump & Bracket Is the component that is malfunctioning and it is under inspection now. Car not stopping correctly that's is actually dangerous for everyone if driven not safe to drive by the way. Yes this problem was discovered at the lexus service center where these accusations where obtained. I was told there is a beeping noise and the brakes are hard to press down and triangular lights is on abs light is on from what I remember.
ABS Modulator has failed on mine and thousands of owners across the US & the World. Toyota/Lexus knows about this and has issued TSIB's for several models including the LS460 from 2007-2017 up to a certain mileage. My vehicle has too many miles to be included in this, but the safety of my vehicle is in serious risk due to a problem that they have known about for many years, but have failed to do a recall on all of these vehicles. The repair costs on average $2,000 to $4,000.00.
The brakes fail on a Lexus 2010 hybird 250 when you go over a bump or railroad tracks at 40 miles per hour. They just release and you have to take your foot off the brakes and put it back on. I reported it to the dealer twice and the last time was told that it is a characteristic of the hybird car.
My wife was driving, we got check engine & VSC sign, we checked with car mechanic, who asked us to take to dealer, they diagnosed & fixed some parts & charged us around 1000.00 $, Next day she drove around 6 miles, she was ready to enter highway sign came, stop car immediately at safe place, she called dealer who advised to bring car back, she took car back ,they diagnosed again & told us it will cost 4042.11 to replace brake actuator & brake pump,we searched that this was manufacturing defect, we contacted Lexus corporate office, they said that it factory defect only till 2018 & declined to fix,they said they send us letter,we never received any letter.Car mileage is around 120,000 only,my wife narrowly escaped accident, Is not dealer responsible to contact customers by phone or E mail for safety issues ,moreover we took car to dealer multiple times for not staring ,they fixed battery …
This particular model 2009 Lexus LS460 apparently has an issue with the ABS system module (ABS Brake pump actuator) and when it fails it is like a domino effect not to mention having to reprogram the cars whole computer system all over again, I researched this issue and found that the issue is rampant with this year and model, not only is it expensive to fix (4k) the part alone is over 1k. If the system was to fail while driving it would pose a significant danger to myself and others as I would not be able to brake, or if I drive in wet weather the system could fail on me again. Everyone that owns this model has the same issue. once it happens it is said that it will happen every 30000 miles or so. I bought the car in 2024; I hadn't even had it a year before the system failed and I have not been able to drive the car since March 2025. …
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle off the roadway onto a grassy shoulder to slow the vehicle to prevent a crash. The contact then called the dealer and was advised to enter a code in the vehicle and drive slowly to the dealer. After arriving at the dealer and having the vehicle diagnosed, the contact was informed that the brake actuator and assembly needed to be replaced; however, the repair would be an out of pocket expense. The manufacturer was contacted and provided her with a loaner vehicle however, it was stated that she still had to pay for the vehicle to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus LS years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (21), 2007 (19), 2011 (6) and 2013 (5) model years. Brake complaints make up 49% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Lexus LS brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Lexus LS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Lexus LS brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power assist (1 mentions), followed by the power assist › electric › solenoid/actuator (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.