FaultScore

Lexus IS 300 vs BMW 550I

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Lexus IS 300 BMW 550I
Complaints on file 156 386
Model years covered 2001–2022 2006–2016
Worst model year 2002 2011
Best model year 2004 2013
Crashes reported 32 14
Fires reported 7 31
Injuries reported 18 5
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Body & Structure Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 36.5% 13%

Lexus IS 300 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Body & Structure 22 14.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 18 11.5%
Other & Unspecified 18 11.5%
Suspension 14 9.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 12 7.7%
Engine & Cooling 11 7.1%
Brakes 11 7.1%
Tires 11 7.1%

BMW 550I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 79 20.5%
Airbags 36 9.3%
Tires 30 7.8%
Wheels 21 5.4%
Lights 18 4.7%