LexusLC5002021Overview/lexus/lc500/2021/base/

2021 Lexus LC500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 LC500.

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2021 Lexus LC500 is defined by its 10-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring a substantial 9.1 quarts of 5W-30 oil, yielding EPA fuel economy figures of 16 city, 25 highway, and 19 combined mpg. For researchers evaluating the nameplate, this model year represents an exceptionally stable point in the LC500's reliability history, logging zero recalls and only a single owner complaint directed at the exterior lighting. This minimal defect record means the 2021 model delivers a fundamentally trouble-free ownership experience, operating without the systemic issues that often emerge across a vehicle's production lifespan.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity9.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/25/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLOEM · verified
Tire size245/45RF20 99Y, Rear: 275/40RF20 102YOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, Rear: 9.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 0415251010
Engine air filter1780138060
Fuel filter7702411010 alt 2321731080
Spark plug9091901279
Battery2880038190
Front wiper blades8522211040 alt 8522211070
Serpentine belt9091602632
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713911010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 25 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 9.1 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity0.7 qt
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.85-0.95 Qts.
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity12.8 qt
Engine Oil5W-30

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts221 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFK20HBR-J8
Spark Plug GapUsed: Maximum: .0394; New: 0.0276-0.0315 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity18.3-20.5 oz lbs
Oil TypeND-12
Oil Capacity2.37 - 2.88 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

RPM28.0-85.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0
Engine Compression144-203 PSI. 14.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression145

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 111.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.299; Rear: 1.102
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0016
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
184.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 14.084 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
127.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: Bolts 11 & 12: 15.027 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°22 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2021 Lexus LC500 dominate in one area — the exterior lighting, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the exterior lighting pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
63
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
LSB0007232023-02-14EquipmentTSB: Some 2020 ? 2022 model year vehicles equipped with 17CY+ Panasonic Audio (versions…
LSB0043192023-02-14EquipmentOBSOLETE NOTICE February 14, 2023: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0007-23
L-SB-0057-222022-12-07EquipmentTSB: Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform? 2.0 Navigation…
LSB001320Rev22022-06-21Service Brakes, HydraulicTSB: All 2018 ? 2022 model year LC 500 and LC 500h, and 2022 model year LC 500…
LSB001320Rev22022-06-21Service Brakes, HydraulicTSB: All 2018 ? 2022 model year LC 500 and LC 500h, and 2022 model year LC 500…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LC500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 LC500 take?

9.1 qt of 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 LC500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the LC500 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.