Lexus IS Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Among Lexus IS model years, 2010, 2012, and 2013 rank worst based on NHTSA complaint data, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 40 total complaints, mostly airbag-related. No Lexus IS year is flagged as a clear best, though 2015 and 2020 carry the lowest complaint indexes among rated years.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 139
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Airbags
IS 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.
Lexus IS problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 40 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 20.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 67 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 93 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 22 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 73 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 21.5 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 47 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2016 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | 21.5 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | 21.5 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 22.5 | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 40 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 22.5 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 60 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 22 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 22 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 87 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 22 | — |
IS years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Lexus IS Index 100 · 40 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2010 Lexus IS ranks worst of all years covered, with 40 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Airbags account for 40% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure during low-speed maneuvers, including cases where the car surged forward after being shifted into park. Engine complaints followed, at a median 67,000 miles, and transmission and powertrain issues appeared at a much lower median mileage of 14,135 miles. Seven crashes and three injuries were reported for this year, with no recalls issued.
2012 Lexus IS Index 93 · 18 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2012 Lexus IS ranks second worst, with 18 complaints and a complaint index of 93. Airbags make up 44% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,000 miles; owners describe airbags failing to deploy during collisions, including one case following unintended acceleration. Structure & body and visibility & wiper issues each account for 22% of complaints. Three crashes and one injury were reported for this year. No recalls were issued for the 2012 model year.
2013 Lexus IS Index 80 · 9 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2013 Lexus IS ranks fourth worst, with 9 complaints and a complaint index of 80. Visibility & wipers issues dominate, at 44% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 64,189 miles, including reports of dashboard surface damage. Engine complaints follow at 33% share, with a median failure mileage of 69,663 miles, including reports of coolant leaks from valley plate sealant. Two crashes and three injuries were reported, and airbags failed to deploy in at least one crash reported at 8,000 miles.
Most common Lexus IS problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Airbags34 (24%)
- Engine28 (20%)
- Other23 (17%)
- Fuel System21 (15%)
- Visibility & Wipers18 (13%)
- Structure & Body17 (12%)
- Electrical System13 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (6%)
- Brakes8 (6%)
- Steering8 (6%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Lexus IS should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2010, 2012, and 2013 Lexus IS model years rank worst, with 2010 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 40 total complaints.
- Is the 2010 Lexus IS reliable?
- The 2010 Lexus IS has the highest complaint index (100) among all IS model years in NHTSA data, with 40 complaints, 7 crashes, and airbags as the top problem area at a median 67,000 miles.
- Does the Lexus IS have any recalls?
- NHTSA data shows only 1 recall campaign across all Lexus IS model years covered (2010-2025), tied to the 2022 model year.
- What is the best year for the Lexus IS?
- No Lexus IS year is marked as a clear best, but 2015 (complaint index 47) and 2020 (complaint index 40) show among the lowest complaint indexes of rated years.
- What is the most common problem with the Lexus IS?
- Across all Lexus IS years, airbags are the top complaint area, accounting for 34 complaints and 24% of the total 139 complaints, followed by engine issues at 20%.