Lexus Celsior: common faults & what to check

Which Lexus Celsior are you looking at?

3 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Engine not documented

3 variants documented

2000–2007UCF302000–2007UCF30Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues0 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Vauxford via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2006–2018USF402006–2018USF40Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues4 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Altair78 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

2017–nowVXFA502017–nowVXFA50Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues2 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Kevauto via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Lexus Celsior

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Lexus Celsior before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  Observe vehicle ride height at all four corners before and after test drive.

  See why

  Front Air Suspension Strut Failure (LS460 and LS500)

  Both the USF40 LS460 and VXFA50 LS500 use electronically controlled air suspension. The front air struts develop bladder leaks, causing the vehicle to sag at the front overnight or to trigger height-sensor warnings. Replacement struts are expensive OEM items; aftermarket coilover conversion kits are an alternative that sacrifices ride height adjustment. Failure rate increases significantly with age and in NZ's damp climate.

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle sitting noticeably lower at one or both front corners after sitting overnight
  • Air suspension warning light on dash
  • Compressor audible running frequently or continuously
  • Harsh ride or abnormal body roll if suspension defaults to limp mode

  Typically $1,500–$4,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold start only — rattle is absent once oil pressure builds.

  See why

  1UR-FSE 4.6 V8 Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle (LS460 USF40)

  The 1UR-FSE 4.6L V8 in the LS460 uses secondary timing chains to drive each bank's VVTI sprockets. The plastic tensioner ratchet pawls wear and the hydraulic tensioners lose hold after cold soaks, causing a characteristic cold-start rattle lasting 5–30 seconds. The pattern is well-documented on the LS460 platform and mirrors the same issue on Crown URS, GS460, and IS-F with related engines. Full secondary chain replacement is labour-intensive on this RWD V8.

  What you would notice

  • Metallic rattle from engine top on cold start, clearing within 10–30 seconds
  • Worse in cold ambient temperatures
  • VVTI fault codes P1349/P1354 in some cases
  • Oil consumption increase accompanying chain wear

  Typically $2,800–$5,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Insist on a cold start — do not allow engine to be warmed before inspection.

  See why

  V35A-FTS 3.5 Twin-Turbo Cold-Start Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle (LS500)

  The V35A-FTS 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 shared with Land Cruiser 300 and Crown Sedan exhibits a documented cold-start timing chain rattle on some units. Hydraulic tensioners do not retain full oil pressure during extended cold soaks, allowing chain slack for several seconds until the oil system pressurises. The pattern has been reported on LS500 and cross-platform on the V35A family. Extended oil drain intervals and use of incorrect viscosity oil worsen frequency.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start timing chain rattle from engine front, lasting 3–15 seconds
  • Worse after overnight soak in cold conditions
  • VVTI or camshaft correlation codes in some cases
  • No symptoms once fully warmed up

  Typically $2,800–$6,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Test drive from cold — note shift quality through all lower gears.

  See why

  8-Speed Automatic Solenoid Wear and Shift Quality Degradation (LS460)

  The AA80E 8-speed automatic in the LS460 develops solenoid wear leading to delayed or rough gear changes, particularly when cold. Hard shifts between 1st–2nd and 2nd–3rd, shudder on light throttle torque-converter engagement, and hesitation during kickdown are the most reported patterns. Fluid condition is critical — LS460s with neglected ATF changes accelerate solenoid wear significantly. Full solenoid body replacement or valve body rebuild is the documented repair.

  What you would notice

  • Delayed or clunky 1-2 or 2-3 upshift from cold
  • Shudder or judder under light throttle at low speed (torque converter)
  • Hesitation or hunting between gears
  • Transmission warning light in later-stage failures

  Typically $1,800–$4,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Inspect the power steering rack boots from beneath the vehicle for oil staining or wetness.

  See why

  Power Steering Rack Inner Seal Leak (LS460 USF40)

  The hydraulic power steering rack on LS460 models develops inner seal leaks with age and mileage. Symptoms begin as minor weeping at the rack boots but progress to measurable fluid loss. NZ and AU humidity and temperature cycling accelerate seal degradation. Remanufactured rack units are available; OEM replacement is a multi-hour job requiring subframe drop on this platform.

  What you would notice

  • Power steering fluid level dropping requiring top-up
  • Oily residue or wetness at inner rack boots
  • Groan or increased effort in steering at low speed when fluid low
  • Fluid drips on driveway beneath centre of vehicle

  Typically $900–$2,200 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Lexus Celsior’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Lexus models