What is the worst year for the Lexus IS 250?

2010 is the worst year based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 100, the highest of any IS 250 year, 40 complaints, and 6 recall campaigns, mostly tied to airbags.

What years of the Lexus IS 250 should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint and recall data flags 2010 and 2014 as years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83 respectively, compared to 2013's low of 17.

What is the best year for the Lexus IS 250?

2013 is the best year, with a complaint index of just 17, only 5 complaints, and 2 recall campaigns, the lowest complaint activity of any covered year.

Are airbags a common problem across Lexus IS 250 years?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all years combined, accounting for 70 complaints and 49% of the total 144 complaints in the dataset.

Does the 2014 Lexus IS 250 have any recalls?

No. NHTSA data shows zero recall campaigns for the 2014 model year, despite it having 35 complaints and a complaint index of 83.

Lexus IS 250 Best and Worst Years (2010–2016)

For the Lexus IS 250, 2010 and 2014 are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83 versus a low of 17 for 2013, the best year. 2010 leads with 40 complaints and 6 recalls, mostly airbag-related.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2014 Best 2013

Model years: 7; 2010–2016
NHTSA complaints: 144
Recall campaigns: 7
Crashes reported: 25
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Airbags

IS 250 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Lexus IS 250 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	40	8	0	6	Airbags	22	—
2011	Caution	67	30	5	0	4	Airbags	22	—
2012	Caution	50	17	4	0	4	Airbags	22	—
2013	Best	17	5	1	0	2	Airbags	23	4★
2014	Avoid	83	35	6	1	0	Electrical System	24	5★
2015	Good	33	16	1	0	0	Electrical System	24	5★
2016	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—

IS 250 years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Lexus IS 250 Index 100 · 40 complaints · 6 recalls

2010 has the highest complaint index (100) of any IS 250 year, with 40 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. Airbags dominate, accounting for 65% of complaints in this year, with a median mileage at failure of 52,500. Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including one case where a vehicle hit a tree after a rear-end collision. Engine complaints also appear, including sudden unintended acceleration events reported at much lower mileage (6,800 median for engine issues). Eight crashes and four injuries are tied to this model year, with no deaths recorded.

2010 airbags problems →

2014 Lexus IS 250 Index 83 · 35 complaints · 0 recalls

2014 ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 and 35 complaints, though it carries zero recall campaigns. Electrical System problems are the top issue, making up 26% of complaints with a median mileage at failure of 14,000. Airbags follow closely at 23% of complaints, median mileage 31,500, with owners describing airbags that failed to deploy during head-on and frontal collisions, in one case causing serious injuries. Owners also reported an engine fire and a fuel leak from injectors. This year recorded 6 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.

Most common Lexus IS 250 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags70 (49%)
Engine21 (15%)
Electrical System19 (13%)
Other17 (12%)
Brakes13 (9%)
Structure & Body13 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (8%)
Steering7 (5%)
Fuel System4 (3%)
Transmission & Powertrain3 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What is the worst year for the Lexus IS 250?: 2010 is the worst year based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 100, the highest of any IS 250 year, 40 complaints, and 6 recall campaigns, mostly tied to airbags.
What years of the Lexus IS 250 should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint and recall data flags 2010 and 2014 as years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83 respectively, compared to 2013's low of 17.
What is the best year for the Lexus IS 250?: 2013 is the best year, with a complaint index of just 17, only 5 complaints, and 2 recall campaigns, the lowest complaint activity of any covered year.
Are airbags a common problem across Lexus IS 250 years?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all years combined, accounting for 70 complaints and 49% of the total 144 complaints in the dataset.
Does the 2014 Lexus IS 250 have any recalls?: No. NHTSA data shows zero recall campaigns for the 2014 model year, despite it having 35 complaints and a complaint index of 83.