A Lexus is a luxury investment that can get you where you need to go in style. It’s smart to look into Lexus maintenance costs if you own or are thinking about buying a Lexus. In this article, we’ll dive into all aspects of the annual cost of owning a Lexus.
An extended warranty can help to supplement the Lexus maintenance cost, especially if you plan on keeping your Lexus longer than the length of its manufacturer’s warranty or if you’re buying it certified pre-owned (CPO). Click below to compare free quotes from some of the best extended warranty providers in the industry to see which gets you the best rates.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies
We reviewed every major warranty company for coverage, affordability and more. Here are our recommendations.
What Goes into Maintaining a Lexus?
A Lexus is a reliable car according to RepairPal. The repair cost estimate site gives Lexus a 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability, and it ranks the automaker seventh out of 32 car brands. Also worthy of note is the fact that Lexus vehicles average less than one repair shop visit per year, with only an 8% probability of any needed repair being classified as “severe.”
If you own a Lexus, you might already know that these cars are generally less expensive to maintain than other luxury vehicles. Lexus is a reliable manufacturer and its cars don’t often need repairs. However, unexpected breakdowns can still happen.
How Much Does Lexus Maintenance Cost?
The average annual maintenance cost for a Lexus is around $551 according to RepairPal. This number changes depending on the age, model and mileage of your Lexus.
When considering a maintenance contract or extended warranty offering maintenance services, it can also be valuable to examine common repairs for your model.
Common Lexus Repairs
Here’s a list of common Lexus problems by model and how much they’ll cost you.
| Vehicle | Common Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS F | Crankshaft position sensor replacement | $191 to $297 |
| Lexus IS F | Headlight bulb replacement | $210 to $220 |
| Lexus IS F | Wheel replacement | $2,585 to $2,597 |
| Lexus LX570 | U-joint replacement | $242 to $286 |
| Lexus LX570 | Drive belt idler pulley replacement | $227 to $262 |
| Lexus RC350 | Pre-purchase car inspection | $132 to $167 |
A Lexus GX470 has the most reported issues that require maintenance, according to car owner complaints filed with RepairPal. The most common complaints include a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when stopping, check engine light issues and the sunroof jamming.
One way to protect yourself from getting stuck with bills resulting from unforeseen repairs is by getting an extended warranty. An extended warranty can help cover your vehicle after mechanical breakdowns, and some providers even offer services to lessen Lexus maintenance costs.
Extended Warranties and the Cost of Lexus Maintenance
The factory warranty on a Lexus lasts for up to four years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first). This covers repairs due to defects in materials or workmanship by Lexus. Lexus CPO vehicles come with warranties too, which typically last for three years.
Once the factory warranty expires, you’re on your own for any mechanical breakdowns unless you purchase extended coverage. The level of coverage you choose will determine how much you pay for an extended warranty. Keep in mind that not all extended warranties come with maintenance coverage, but plans from top providers like Endurance cover you for certain services.
When shopping for an extended warranty, know that a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty usually lasts the same duration as the manufacturer warranty and covers defects in materials and workmanship, but does not typically include coverage for items like brakes, tires, and environmental damage like rust or cracks in a windshield. A powertrain warranty covers all of the parts that are integral to making the car move, from the engine to the wheels. The coverage usually includes a longer term of miles and years.
Our Recommended Extended Warranty Providers
Owning a Lexus is an investment, and one way to protect yourself from hefty repair bills is by getting an extended warranty. To find the best rates for extended protection, compare free quotes from a few reputable providers.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies
We reviewed every major warranty company for coverage, affordability and more. Here are our recommendations.
Endurance: Best Provider
Endurance is known for its comprehensive coverage, competitive pricing and excellent customer service reviews. The provider has five extended warranty plans and one plan that combines warranty coverage with maintenance.
- Supreme Plan: Exclusionary warranty coverage
- Superior Plan: Most stated-component coverage
- Secure Plus: Shortest waiting period for activation
- Secure Plan: Most affordable plan covering essential components
- Select Premier: Best for high-mileage vehicles
- EnduranceAdvantageTM: Warranty and maintenance coverage
Each plan comes with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and a free year of Endurance Elite membership, so drivers can get perks tire repairs and replacements, key fob replacements and ID theft protection.
CarShield: Most Affordable
CarShield is one of our top three extended car warranty providers overall and one that we found to generally be most affordable for drivers. CarShield also offers six coverage plans, including one for motorcycles and specialty vehicles. Here are the five plans for automobiles:
- Diamond: This is the bumper-to-bumper coverage level. It provides exclusionary coverage for almost every vehicle component.
- Platinum: This is generally the best option for cars with higher mileage. It covers the engine, transmission, air conditioning, electrical system, starter, water pump, fuel pump and more.
- Gold: The powertrain plus plan includes major and minor vehicle components like the engine, transmission, water pump, alternator, starter, air conditioner and power windows.
- Silver: The basic powertrain plan includes essential components like the engine, transmission and water pump.
- Aluminum: This type of coverage is best for electrical and computer-related components, like the engine control module, starter, alternator, navigational system, electrical system and more.
CarShield extended warranties come with 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and towing.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
