Purchased a used 2008 Lexus LS460 and within about two hours the vehicle abruptly and completely shut down while driving in traffic, with no warning and no practical ability to predict the failure or safely pull off the road. Near collisions were narrowly avoided only because other drivers swerved or slammed on brakes. At the time of purchase there were no warning lights illuminated, but immediately after the shutdown multiple warning lights illuminated (including brake/ABS/stability-related warnings as documented by an independent service center). The vehicle was inspected the next day by an independent service center, which documented multiple diagnostic trouble codes across major systems and stated that repairs would be in the thousands and not recommended. The inspection also noted indications consistent with diagnostic codes having been cleared prior to purchase, and the battery at inspection could not hold a charge aiding the clearing of codes. The vehicle had no functional exhaust system (mufflers cut off), creating a carbon monoxide exposure risk that was only mitigated because the driver had the windows down unknowingly to the leak. The service center also reported tires beyond safe wear limits that were not readily visible without lifting the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance.
Lexus LS abs comes on
28 of the 220 owner complaints about the Lexus LS describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,200
- typical mileage
- 86,000
By model year
Often reported together
Warning lights 2Won't start 1Stalling 1Spongy pedal 1Jerking 1Knocking 1Collision warning 1Check engine light 1
Trouble codes mentioned
C1256 1C1253 1
What owners say
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.
My dashboard is melting which creates a glare while driving! Unable to see threw front windshield do to the glare from the sun reflecting off the dash! All interior trim components starts melting inside the car when it's hot outside! Also my brake actuator and abs braking system went out!
My vehicle brake, ABS, lights are on the dashboard, Lexus has deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive due to the brake actuator being faulty causing internal damage to the ABS, junction box this is a $5000 repair, upon my research I find that service bulletin were issued years ago about this from Lexus and they reimbursed or repaired these issues during a good will campagne they initiated, was advised by a Lexus member of corporate that the letter came out for my vehicle but I was not the owner at the time, they are now saying its expired and nothing they can do. This does not waive their responsibility of this defect, which is not a wear and tear item. I have tried to allow Lexus to remedy this situation only to be hit with resistance. Please see attached
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. I think issues involving the cars ABS should automatically be a recall. Now I feel like I am stuck with a car payment for a car I can't even drive because the brake system failed, and will continue to fail over and over, even if I could drive it I would be scared to. If the car senses and accident or spinout and the abs fails and locks up that's dangerous. I can't afford to fix this issue multiple times no one should have to go through this when buying a car as luxury and expensive as Lexus is. The car is too old for the lemon law but I bought a lemon, as big as this issue is this should have been a recall. Please help...
The contact owns a 2015 Lexus LS 460. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, and the Pre-Collision System (PCS) warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the brake booster and brake booster pump. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Support Program: 24LE01 (Coverage for Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Lexus LS 460. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS and several other warning lights illuminated, with a message to “Stop Driving Vehicle” displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS actuator needed to be replaced. The mechanic referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was soft. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to TSB: L-SB-0009-23 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
I am speaking on behalf of my [XXX] mother who owns the car. Summarily, we took the car to two Lexus Service Repair shops (i.e. one in Glendale and one in Longo, El Monte). On [XXX], we the brake and tire sensor lights came on. We first took it to Lexus of Glendale. The diagnosis and estimate was to cover these items: tire sensors, brake sensor, brake pads, air filters, oil change, and nav system to fix the defrost buttons, the DVD software for the nav system, and anything that would cause the brake/ABS emergency light and tire pressure lights to come on. Prior to that, we replaced all 4 tires, upper and lower suspension arms, air filters, fuses, alignment, etc. Both lights (tire sensors and brake lights in the dashboard came on the last week of January 2025. The total cost was $4200.00. Then the same day my mom rolled over a speed bump, and the tire sensor lights came on. She went back and they did not replace the tire sensor lights and we opened up a case on this issue. Then a day later, the brake light and ABS light came on. After a couple of days of that, the brakes would lock up before she turned on the ignition. We filed a complaint with Department of Consumer Affairs, BAR. We scheduled an appointment with Lexus of Longo. Mr. Lam said it could be the actuator and it would cost $4200.00 because we missed this 2017 warranty. I told him we never received any letter from Lexus's CSP warranty program on the brake actuator. And instead, we only received leather interiors or glove compartment interiors. I asked if I could take a photo of this warranty. He allowed me to. Today, after the diagnosis, he said he would charge us $3000.00 for the actuator. I am wondering if you could intervene and have Lexus cover this warranty for my senior mother. She does not have money to buy a new car right now, nor can she learn the new technology on the new cars. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The ABS system failed. Mechanic stated it was the ABS actuator. Left front wheel locks up when brakes are applied with force. Safety is jeopardized since the ABS system no longer works. Cannot bring vehicle to safe stop in an emergency braking situation. The problem was reproduced by an independent service center. The vehicle had not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. Lexus has been notified and said that I just missed the window on the service bulletin, which ended in March of 2024. There were no warning lamps before the system failure. The system failed during a trip.
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
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Lexus LS abs
Why does the abs come on in the Lexus LS?
Owners who report it most often also describe multiple warning lights, won't start and engine stalls while driving, and the codes they mention most are C1256 and C1253.
Which Lexus LS years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (9 complaints), 2007 (7 complaints) and 2011 (4 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Lexus LS?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,200 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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