Lexus CT Problems by Year
NHTSA has 147 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Lexus CT, across 6 model years (2011–2016). The 2013 model year has the most complaints (44). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes.

Lexus CT years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CT year: 2012, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Lexus CT problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 58 | 6 | 3 |
| Engine | 35 | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 17 | 6 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 5 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Power Train | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Wheels | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Lexus CT model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 CT | 3 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2015 CT | 16 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 CT | 19 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2013 CT | 44 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 CT | 43 | 0 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 CT | 22 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | About as many complaints as other years |
More from Lexus: all Lexus models · Lexus VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus CT years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2012 (43), 2013 (44) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CT year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Lexus CT?
Service Brakes, with 58 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Lexus CT have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.