No Lexus IS model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2005–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.
Lexus IS problems by year
Latest IS with excellent reliability and almost no complaints; the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 IS 500 avoid downsized-turbo risk. Premium build, strong safety scores, low repair costs and class-leading resale make it a standout used luxury-sport-sedan buy.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Third-gen IS (including the V8 IS 500) with outstanding reliability and minimal complaints. Engaging rear-wheel-drive handling, a premium cabin and excellent resale, plus low repair costs for the class, among the best used luxury sport sedans.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Refreshed third-gen IS, now offering the V8 IS 500 F Sport Performance; reliability is excellent with very few complaints. Proven mechanicals, strong safety scores, low repair costs and great resale make it a dependable, characterful RWD sedan.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Heavily updated third-gen IS with a retuned chassis and fresh styling; zero recalls and essentially no complaints on file. Outstanding reliability, strong crash protection and low ownership costs make it a top used luxury-sport-sedan pick.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Third-gen IS with excellent reliability and only isolated complaints. Refined, well-built and engaging to drive, with strong safety scores, low repair costs and excellent resale value, one of the safest used luxury-sedan choices.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Among the most dependable used luxury sport sedans: near-zero complaints, proven powertrains and low ownership costs. Engaging rear-wheel-drive dynamics, a premium quiet cabin and strong resale, a standout third-gen IS year.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Third-gen IS with outstanding reliability and almost no complaints; the naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 and proven 2.0L turbo are durable. Strong safety scores, low repair costs and excellent resale make it an easy used luxury-sport-sedan recommendation.
- Exceptionally few complaints across these years; the proven 2.0L turbo, 3.5L V6 and V8 powertrains are very reliable. Isolated reports of engine misfire/loss of power and a minor electric-steering notch at highway speed.
Third-gen IS (200t/300/350) with excellent reliability overall, though some cars are affected by a low-pressure fuel-pump issue/recall that can cause stalling, confirm it was addressed. Otherwise a refined, dependable RWD sport sedan with low repair costs.
- Low-pressure Denso fuel pump can fail, causing hard starts, rough idle, stalling or no-start; covered by a fuel-pump recall on affected builds. The most-reported issue of the early third generation.
- Otherwise very few complaints; isolated reports include dual-zone HVAC blowing hot on one side and, on some 2015 IS 350s, premature rear wheel-bearing wear.
The turbocharged IS 200t joins the lineup; complaint volume is extremely low and reliability is excellent. Premium build, engaging RWD handling, strong safety scores and low ownership costs make this one of the standout used third-gen years.
- Low-pressure Denso fuel pump can fail, causing hard starts, rough idle, stalling or no-start; covered by a fuel-pump recall on affected builds. The most-reported issue of the early third generation.
- Otherwise very few complaints; isolated reports include dual-zone HVAC blowing hot on one side and, on some 2015 IS 350s, premature rear wheel-bearing wear.
Third-gen IS 250/350 with excellent reliability and minimal complaints, aside from isolated rear wheel-bearing reports on some IS 350s. Low repair costs, strong crash scores and great resale make it one of the safer used luxury-sedan buys.
- Low-pressure Denso fuel pump can fail, causing hard starts, rough idle, stalling or no-start; covered by a fuel-pump recall on affected builds. The most-reported issue of the early third generation.
- Otherwise very few complaints; isolated reports include dual-zone HVAC blowing hot on one side and, on some 2015 IS 350s, premature rear wheel-bearing wear.
Redesigned third-generation IS launch year with a roomier cabin and sharper styling; very few complaints and proven Toyota/Lexus mechanicals. Excellent reliability and low repair costs for the class, with strong resale, a dependable used luxury sport sedan.
- Low-pressure Denso fuel pump can fail, causing hard starts, rough idle, stalling or no-start; covered by a fuel-pump recall on affected builds. The most-reported issue of the early third generation.
- Otherwise very few complaints; isolated reports include dual-zone HVAC blowing hot on one side and, on some 2015 IS 350s, premature rear wheel-bearing wear.
Final second-gen year and among the most reliable: near-zero complaints aside from an occasional V6 coolant-seepage report. Excellent long-term dependability, low ownership costs and strong resale; confirm the Takata airbag recall and enjoy a refined RWD sport sedan.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall still applies; airbag complaints peak in 2010 then fall sharply. Verify the recall was completed before buying.
- On the 3.5L V6, the engine valley-plate / heat-exchanger gasket can seep coolant due to factory sealant; an audible exhaust-header tick is also reported. Volumes are low.
One of the best second-generation years: complaints fall to near zero and the V6 drivetrains are proven and durable. Strong reliability, low repair costs and good resale make it a smart used pick; premium fuel and a snug cabin are the trade-offs.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall still applies; airbag complaints peak in 2010 then fall sharply. Verify the recall was completed before buying.
- On the 3.5L V6, the engine valley-plate / heat-exchanger gasket can seep coolant due to factory sealant; an audible exhaust-header tick is also reported. Volumes are low.
Later second-gen IS with very low complaint volume, the melting-dash era is largely behind it. Proven V6 reliability, low repair costs and strong resale; just confirm the Takata airbag recall. One of the better second-gen years to buy.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall still applies; airbag complaints peak in 2010 then fall sharply. Verify the recall was completed before buying.
- On the 3.5L V6, the engine valley-plate / heat-exchanger gasket can seep coolant due to factory sealant; an audible exhaust-header tick is also reported. Volumes are low.
Second-gen IS (the IS-C convertible joins) still carries the Takata-airbag recall and, on early-build cars, dashboard-trim degradation, but reliability is strong. A dependable, well-built used sport sedan; verify the airbag recall was completed.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall still applies; airbag complaints peak in 2010 then fall sharply. Verify the recall was completed before buying.
- On the 3.5L V6, the engine valley-plate / heat-exchanger gasket can seep coolant due to factory sealant; an audible exhaust-header tick is also reported. Volumes are low.
Mid-cycle second-gen IS; melting-dash and Takata-airbag concerns persist but complaint volume drops sharply. Durable 2.5/3.5L V6 drivetrains and low running costs make it a sensible used buy if the recalls are done and the dash is inspected.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these years; owners also report SRS/airbag warning lights tied to knee-airbag squib-circuit faults. Confirm the recall was completed.
- Falls in the Toyota/Lexus accelerator-pedal and floor-mat recall period (NHTSA 09V388); reports of surging or hesitation plus VSC/check-engine warnings with stalling and misfire.
- Dashboard and door-panel trim turns sticky, shiny or rubbery in hot climates, causing windshield glare and impaired visibility; Lexus issued a warranty enhancement. The defining problem of this generation.
Second-gen IS (and the first IS-F) with melting-dash and Takata-airbag issues plus some V6 oil consumption and a cold-start rattle, though complaint volume eases from 2006-07. Solid Lexus reliability and low repair costs once recalls are confirmed.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these years; owners also report SRS/airbag warning lights tied to knee-airbag squib-circuit faults. Confirm the recall was completed.
- Falls in the Toyota/Lexus accelerator-pedal and floor-mat recall period (NHTSA 09V388); reports of surging or hesitation plus VSC/check-engine warnings with stalling and misfire.
- Dashboard and door-panel trim turns sticky, shiny or rubbery in hot climates, causing windshield glare and impaired visibility; Lexus issued a warranty enhancement. The defining problem of this generation.
Early second-gen IS with the melting-dashboard, Takata-airbag and unintended-acceleration-era complaints that define 2006-08. Reliable and inexpensive to maintain underneath, but a higher-complaint year that needs a thorough inspection and recall check.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these years; owners also report SRS/airbag warning lights tied to knee-airbag squib-circuit faults. Confirm the recall was completed.
- Falls in the Toyota/Lexus accelerator-pedal and floor-mat recall period (NHTSA 09V388); reports of surging or hesitation plus VSC/check-engine warnings with stalling and misfire.
- Dashboard and door-panel trim turns sticky, shiny or rubbery in hot climates, causing windshield glare and impaired visibility; Lexus issued a warranty enhancement. The defining problem of this generation.
Second-generation launch year and the most recall-laden IS: widespread sticky/melting dashboard trim, Takata airbags and accelerator-pedal-era concerns. Mechanically sound and cheap to run, but inspect carefully and confirm every recall before buying.
- Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall applies to these years; owners also report SRS/airbag warning lights tied to knee-airbag squib-circuit faults. Confirm the recall was completed.
- Falls in the Toyota/Lexus accelerator-pedal and floor-mat recall period (NHTSA 09V388); reports of surging or hesitation plus VSC/check-engine warnings with stalling and misfire.
- Dashboard and door-panel trim turns sticky, shiny or rubbery in hot climates, causing windshield glare and impaired visibility; Lexus issued a warranty enhancement. The defining problem of this generation.
Final first-generation IS 300 with the bulletproof 3.0L 2JZ-GE inline-six and very few complaints, but now a roughly 20-year-old car, so budget for age-related wear. Premium fuel and a tight cabin are the trade-offs; mechanically one of the most durable used luxury picks.
- Very low overall complaint volume (16 NHTSA complaints); most reports are body/structure and brake wear typical of a 20-year-old car. The 3.0L 2JZ-GE inline-six is regarded as exceptionally durable.