Lexus IS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus IS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (2) and the 2007 the most (122).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Visibility | — | 20 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Structure | — | 20 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 26 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Tires | — | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 20 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | Back over prevention | — | 20 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 | Engine | — | 22–24 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 22–24 |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 26 |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 22–24 |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | Air bags | — | 22–24 |
| 2012 | 18 | 0 | Air bags | — | 22–24 |
| 2009 | 40 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
40 | 1 | Air bags | — | 20–24 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
102 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
122 | 3 | Structure | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus IS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Lexus IS: 122 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 46 (38%); Air bags 22 (18%); Visibility/wiper 20 (16%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 injury, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Lexus IS: 102 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 22 (22%); Structure 22 (22%); Air bags 21 (21%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Lexus IS: 40 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 16 (40%); Vehicle speed control 6 (15%); Power train 5 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 67,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Lexus IS years with the fewest complaints
2016 Lexus IS: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 2 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Lexus IS: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Tires 1 (50%); Visibility/wiper 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Lexus IS: 2 complaints
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus IS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 40 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 67,000 |
| 2009 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 37,500 |
| 2008 | 102 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 83,000 |
| 2007 | 122 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 85,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lexus IS recalls
- PEDAL ENTRAPMENT (2006–2010 model years; 4,445,056 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V388000)
- BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (2006 model year; 728,544 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2010; 10V499000)
- FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR (2006–2009 model years; 244,779 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2011; 11V029000)
- FUEL DELIVERY PIPE (2006–2008 model years; 214,570 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2009; 09V020000)
- FUEL LINE LEAKAGE (2006 model year; 34,343 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2007; 07V545000)
All 8 Lexus IS recall campaigns · Lexus IS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lexus IS years FAQ
Which Lexus IS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lexus IS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2008 and 2010 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the structure. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lexus IS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the structure (86 of 405 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus IS have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the Lexus IS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus IS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.