2005 Lexus IS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Lexus IS has 12 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Most reports involve the dashboard and interior trim under Structure & Body, with brakes and transmission issues also noted.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 IS years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2005 Lexus IS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body5 (42%)
- Brakes2 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (17%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Dashboard and console panels turn sticky and melt in hot weather, a problem owners describe as common across Lexus vehicles in southern states.
- Brake pedal sometimes fails to respond normally, with drivers reporting a spongy or balloon-like feel and reduced stopping power.
- Gear shift selector occasionally sticks in park, requiring the shift lock override button, and in one case caused the engine to race and the car to lurch forward.
- The clutch on manual-transmission cars was reported to fail at low mileage, requiring replacement.
- Front tires wear unevenly on the inside edge, which owners attribute to camber settings.
- One owner described unintended acceleration while coasting, requiring hard braking to stop the car.
2005 Lexus IS recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2005 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other IS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Lexus IS reliable?
- NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2005 Lexus IS and a complaint index of 55, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 10th out of 21 model years for the IS.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lexus IS?
- Structure & Body complaints, mainly dashboard melting and stickiness, make up 42% of reports. Brakes and Transmission & Powertrain issues each account for 17% of complaints.
- Does the 2005 Lexus IS have any recalls?
- NHTSA shows zero recalls for the 2005 Lexus IS.
- How does the 2005 Lexus IS compare to other IS years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 55 is lower than the 2006-2010 IS years, which range from 80 to 100 and carry Avoid verdicts, but higher than later years like 2015, 2017, and 2020, which earned Good verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Lexus IS?
- The 2005 Lexus IS gets 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 according to the EPA.