Lexus IS problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 247 owner complaints and 3 recalls on file for the Lexus IS (2005–2026). The 2006 IS has the most serious complaints, most often about airbags.
- Complaints
- 247
- Recalls
- 3
- Model years
- 22
- Worst year
- 2006
Complaints by model year
Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.
Worst Lexus IS years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2006 Lexus IS — 50 complaints, 2 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Airbags
- 2008 Lexus IS — 40 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Engine
- 2007 Lexus IS — 35 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Airbags
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2005 (1 complaints).
Every Lexus IS model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 IS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Acceleration & Cruise Control |
| 2025 IS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Body & Structure |
| 2024 IS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers |
| 2023 IS | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Body & Structure |
| 2022 IS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion |
| 2021 IS | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 IS | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine |
| 2019 IS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers |
| 2018 IS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Body & Structure |
| 2017 IS | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion |
| 2016 IS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion |
| 2015 IS | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System |
| 2014 IS | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine |
| 2013 IS | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers |
| 2012 IS | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers |
| 2011 IS | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers |
| 2010 IS | 19 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Acceleration & Cruise Control |
| 2009 IS | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System |
| 2008 IS | 40 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Engine |
| 2007 IS | 35 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags |
| 2006 IS | 50 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Airbags |
| 2005 IS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes |
Most common Lexus IS problem areas (all years)
- Engine48 complaints
- Airbags36 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers36 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion32 complaints
- Body & Structure32 complaints
- Electrical System25 complaints
- Steering19 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain17 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control7 complaints
- Brakes7 complaints
Complaint trend
Lexus IS recalls
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Other Lexus models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology