Avoid: 2013, 2012 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2016 (few owner reports)
7 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 5 model years, the Lexus CT has 151 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and engine. 2012 drew the most complaints (51), 2015 the fewest (16).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Lexus CT vehicles (US, public record).
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2012 (51 complaints). Lowest: 2015 (16).
The sentiment among owners is overwhelmingly positive, centered on exceptional reliability, low running costs, and high fuel economy.
A known issue on higher-mileage examples (typically above 150,000 miles) related to the shared Prius 1.8L engine. Can be a costly repair.
Acknowledged as a potential long-term wear item with replacement costs around $2,000 (USD), but batteries are reported to be very dependable, often lasting well beyond 200,000 kilometers.
The base suspension is described as a bit stiff by professional reviewers, and the F-Sport trim is noted to be even stiffer.
Linked to piston ring wear on high-mileage vehicles, with one report of burning 1 quart every 1,000 miles.
Severe underbody rust noted as a terminal issue on at least one vehicle in a northern climate, potentially exacerbated by incorrect undercoating.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CT. Individual model years are broken down above.
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy