Lexus maintenance: cost, plans and service schedule

Are Lexus expensive to maintain?

According to data from RepairPal, the average yearly cost of repairs and maintenance on a Lexus ($753) is actually lower than the industry average of $891.

This relative affordability may come from the fact that Lexus vehicles are highly dependable. RepairPal gives Lexus a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, ranking it seventh out of 32 automakers. Lexus also has a comparatively low rate of repairs that are prohibitively expensive (8% versus the industry average of 12%).

How Lexus compares with other automakers

Lexus consistently ranks at the top for reliability and durability. Known for their longevity, Lexus vehicles were ranked No. 1 in J.D. Power’s 2024 list of most reliable car brands, ahead of Toyota, Buick and Chevrolet. Check out the table below for a quick comparison of some popular automakers’ annual upkeep costs.

Lexus maintenance and repair costs by model

Repair and maintenance costs for all Lexus vehicles may average $753 per year. However, expected costs can change depending on what model you drive. For example, Lexus ES 350s only cost about $468 per year to keep running, while the Lexus NX 200t averages $690 per year, according to 2019 RepairPal data.

Check out the table below to see the average maintenance and repair costs for Lexus’ three top-selling models.

Lexus maintenance cost and schedule

In general, Lexus’ maintenance schedules don’t look much different from what other major automakers recommend. They generally require that you change the oil, rotate the tires and inspect certain components, including fluid levels, brake pads and rotors every 5,000 miles. Every 15,000 miles, you can expect key component inspections (axle shaft boots, ball joints, brake lines, hoses, exhaust pipes, steering system and brake calipers), with other services needed at longer intervals.

It’s worth mentioning that some aspects of your maintenance schedule will vary based on which model you drive. You can find the specific maintenance schedule for your vehicle on Lexus’ website.

Author’s note: While Lexus recommends changing your oil every 5,000 miles, this can seem like overkill if you're using synthetic motor oil. However, as a mechanic, I can tell you that it’s important to follow all the recommended guidelines, especially if you want any repairs covered by the warranty. You can never be too proactive with your car’s maintenance.

All the cost statistics we’ve provided so far combine yearly maintenance and repair costs, but it’s important to understand the difference.

• Maintenance generally refers to preventive care and services you can schedule ahead of time.
• Repairs are usually visits to the mechanic because something has broken or failed.

To get an idea of what Lexus maintenance and repair costs look like and how they differ, let’s take a deeper look into the cost estimates for one model in particular — a 2019 Lexus RX 350.

Typical maintenance costs for a 2019 Lexus RX 350

You can see average prices for maintenance services in the table below, and we’ll go over repair costs for common issues with this model in the next section.

One thing to keep in mind: Lexus offers complimentary maintenance, known as LexusCare, which pays for all maintenance services needed during a Lexus’ first 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Schedule maintenance for severe driving conditions

For vehicles operating under severe driving conditions, Lexus recommends more frequent maintenance intervals. These conditions can include driving on dusty, sandy or rough roads, towing a trailer, extensive idling, repeated short trips and driving in extreme temperatures.

Lexus repair costs

The repair costs for a Lexus can be tough to estimate because no two vehicles will break down in exactly the same way. Repairs can be unexpected, and they often occur at the worst times. Yet, you can sometimes identify trends when you look at the bigger picture.

As an example, here are RepairPal’s estimates for common problems with the 2019 Lexus RX350 we used to get the maintenance estimates above.

The good news is that there are relatively few reported failures with Lexus vehicles, and that shows in the reviews Lexus drivers leave.

Tom, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Indiana, told us: “Personally, our Lexus purchase was the best we have ever made in our last 40 years of buying experiences. The comfort is excellent. The low maintenance saves you money. And a Lexus will give you many more miles of driving than the average vehicle.”

Lexus vehicles also come with factory warranties that can cover repair costs for the first few years of their lives. As of 2023, Lexus offers a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty along with a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty on new vehicles.

How can an extended warranty help?

The warranty coverage and prepaid maintenance that come with a new Lexus can help you avoid maintenance and repair costs, but these plans are of limited use if your Lexus is more than six years old. If you feel better having these protections as your vehicle ages, consider signing up for a prepaid maintenance program or extended warranty.

Lexus offers prepaid maintenance plans for both new and certified pre-owned vehicles that can save you money on scheduled maintenance services. Plan details vary depending on whether your vehicle is new or used:

• New vehicle maintenance may be covered for up to five years or 90,000 miles.
• Certified pre-owned vehicles can be covered for up to three years or 30,000 miles.

If you’re more concerned with paying for an expensive repair after your Lexus breaks down, an extended warranty may be the answer. These plans have their pros and cons, but they’re at least worth considering in many cases.

For example, if you have savings you can dip into, buying an extended warranty may not make financial sense. On the other hand, it may be worth it if a significant repair bill would be catastrophic to your financial well-being.

» LEARN: Car warranty vs. car insurance