Lexus LM TAG10 — Problems & Common Faults

The Lexus LM has been available in Germany since October 2023 and positions itself as a chauffeur-oriented luxury van above the established premium SUVs. Technically it shares its platform with the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire but gets exclusively the proven 2.5-litre full hybrid A25A-FXS with E-FOUR all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. Two power levels are available: the original version with 184 kW system output, built 10/23 to 08/25, and the version offered since August 2025 with 152 kW. A look at the ADAC data sheets for both variants confirms that despite the reduced system output, both versions remain E-FOUR all-wheel drive – only the electric motor tuning was changed. On the stronger version the combustion engine alone delivers 140 kW, the front electric motor 134 kW and the rear one 40 kW; on the weaker version it is 108 kW from the combustion engine plus the same electric motors with reduced tuning. WLTP consumption sits between 7.1 and 7.2 litres per 100 km, and kerb weight is around 2345 kg. The LM is offered in two trim concepts: a Luxury version with four individual seats for maximum comfort, or an Executive version with a six-plus-one seating layout for more passengers. In tests the steering is described as "indifferent", which hardly matters in a pure comfort vehicle; the four-cylinder, by contrast, gets audibly vocal and strained under hard acceleration, and the styling is considered an acquired taste locally – test scores remain mostly good regardless. The A25A-FXS is well known from the ES 300h and NX 350h, where it shows moderate, well-documented issues such as leaking oil pan seals, oil dilution during winter short-trip use, and occasional EGR clogging – all manageable with regular oil changes and letting the engine reach operating temperature. Concrete, LM-specific mechanical weaknesses are hard to find due to the extremely low unit numbers on German roads; the ADAC lists neither breakdown statistics nor TÜV figures for the model since it is too rare. Two KBA recalls from autumn 2025 are documented: a software fault that can delay or blank the speedometer, warning messages and indicator lights in the instrument cluster, and a rearview camera whose image can freeze or fail while parking without any warning shown. Both are fixed free of charge via a software update, no parts replacement needed. When buying used, check the service book for both recalls being completed and confirm the infotainment software is up to date. Since the LM can practically only be serviced at Lexus dealerships with specialised hybrid know-how, a high-voltage check of the battery and cabling should be part of the purchase inspection, along with a function test of the power sliding doors and sensors. Given the low volume there is essentially no reliable long-term data on the LM itself – buyers seeking reassurance should also check the well-documented issues of the A25A-FXS sibling models. As a powertrain, the hybrid is considered technically mature and suitable for daily use; no repairs beyond the recalls are documented so far.