YearToAvoid

2014 Lexus IS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 IS years

The 2014 Lexus IS has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 12 complaints, 0 recalls, and the top problem area is the Electrical System.

Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2014 Lexus IS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System3 (25%)
  2. Engine3 (25%)
  3. Other3 (25%)
  4. Fuel System2 (17%)
  5. Structure & Body2 (17%)
  6. Airbags1 (8%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Timing chain cover oil leaks develop on the 3.5-liter V6 engine, sometimes flagged by dealers as a fire risk.
  • Audio and infotainment system emits feedback tones and freezes bass/treble controls while driving or stationary.
  • Fuel gauge readings run inaccurate, showing far less fuel than actually remains, requiring a battery disconnect to reset.
  • Rainwater leaks into the trunk through a plastic tail light nut, risking damage to electrical components.
  • Dashboard surface melts and turns shiny and sticky, creating glare that obstructs the view through the windshield.
  • Hood latch mechanism seizes and won't close fully, triggering a warning light and raising concern about highway safety.
2014 Lexus IS complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2024Nov 2024Jan 2025Oct 2025Apr 2026Aug 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2024 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2025 (3).

2014 Lexus IS recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2014 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,725
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.

2014 compared with other IS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid9318022
2013Avoid809022
2014Caution7312021.5
2015Good479022
2016No verdict02021.5

All Lexus IS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Lexus IS reliable?
NHTSA data shows 12 complaints and 0 recalls for the 2014 Lexus IS, giving it a Complaint Index of 73 and a Caution verdict relative to other IS model years.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Lexus IS?
Owners most often report issues with the Electrical System and Engine, each accounting for 3 of the 12 complaints (25% share each), followed by Fuel System and Structure & Body issues.
Does the 2014 Lexus IS have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2014 Lexus IS.
How does the 2014 Lexus IS compare to other years?
The 2014 model ranks 5th worst of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 73, better than 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2012 (93, Avoid) but worse than 2015 (47, Good).
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Lexus IS?
The EPA rates the 2014 Lexus IS at 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,725.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.