Reliability & cost of ownership
Lexus IS Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Lexus IS? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Lexus IS problems by model year
25 recall entries across 17 model years and 590 owner complaints across 29 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 12 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Lexus IS, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- structure142 complaints
- air bags114 complaints
- unknown or other113 complaints
- visibility/wiper74 complaints
- engine70 complaints
- electrical system45 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system35 complaints
- steering33 complaints