Late 2025 hasn’t been a stellar year for Lexus in terms of reliability. Once renowned for its durability and low maintenance, Toyota’s luxury brand has recently shown signs of slipping. This year, Lexus dropped from the 3rd position to 6th in Consumer Reports’ (CR) top 10 most reliable car brands.
CR ranks car brands based on the average overall score of their new models. According to CR’s research, Lexus’s reliability decline stems from several models, such as the luxury SUV GX, underperforming. These vehicles, once consistently above average or excellent, now only manage average scores.
Additionally, the temporary discontinuation of the Lexus ES sedan has further contributed to the brand’s decline. Previously, the ES was one of Lexus’s top performers in CR surveys. This midsize luxury sedan, set to return in 2026 with a completely new generation, is currently absent from Lexus’s lineup.
Lexus’s stumble has opened the door for brands like Subaru, BMW, Porsche, Honda, and Toyota to rise. The most reliable Lexus models currently are the NX Hybrid and TX Hybrid, both earning excellent ratings from CR. Aside from the GX, all other 2026 Lexus models score above average in reliability.
Lexus drops 3 spots in the 2026 top 10 most reliable car brands due to its SUV model sold in Vietnam.
Third-Generation Lexus GX Underperforms in Consumer Reports Survey
Despite its past success, the Lexus GX has struggled in CR’s reliability surveys since the third generation launched in 2024. This three-row midsize SUV scored below average in 2024 and continued to decline in 2025.
The new Lexus GX still faces unresolved issues. According to CR, the braking system and body hardware are frequent trouble spots. The 2024 version scored poorly in both categories.
User feedback highlights squeaky front brakes, especially at low speeds in reverse. Many 2024 Lexus GX owners also complain about malfunctioning massage seats, often due to loose air hoses. Enthusiasts recall the recent V35A engine recall caused by leftover machining debris from production.
On affected vehicles, these fragments can adhere to the crankshaft, leading to failure under prolonged heavy loads. This typically manifests as rough idling or stalling. Other body-on-frame models like the Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX were also affected by this issue.
Lexus also issued a recall for the GX’s faulty rearview camera. On third-generation models, the rear camera system may freeze or fail to display when reversing.
The new Lexus GX is currently available in Vietnam with two variants, starting at 6.2 billion VND.
Lexus’s Reliability Compared to Top Brands
Ignoring its long-standing reputation, Lexus’s latest reliability ranking isn’t disastrous. However, how does it stack up against the leaders? With only 2 out of 13 models rated excellent by CR, Lexus lags significantly behind Subaru, the top Japanese brand. Of the 8 Subaru models surveyed in 2026, 6 earned excellent reliability scores, and the remaining 2 scored above average. Standout Subaru models include the Forester, Forester Hybrid, Crosstrek, Legacy, BRZ, and WRX. The Impreza and Ascent scored above average.
Similarly, out of 14 evaluated 2026 BMW models, 9 achieved excellent reliability scores, and 5 scored above average. The BMW X5 topped the list, followed by the X7 and i5. The X5 Plug-in Hybrid, i4, and 5-Series also earned excellent ratings. The 2-Series, X1, and iX performed very well.
Porsche, with only 4 models evaluated, saw the Cayenne and 718 Boxster earn excellent scores, while the other 2 scored above average.
Honda boasts 3 excellent models: the 2026 CR-V Hybrid, Passport, and Accord Hybrid. Its 9 other models scored above average, with only the electric Honda Prologue earning an average rating.
Lexus’s parent company, Toyota, has 13 models scoring above average and 10 earning excellent ratings. However, its overall score was dragged down by 3 average-rated models: the Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser.
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Recently, the renowned Japanese automaker unveiled a teaser image of the third-generation Lexus GX, set to debut in the Southeast Asian market.
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