FaultScore

Worst years for a Lexus IS

Owners have filed 808 complaints about the Lexus IS with NHTSA across model years 1999 to 2025. More of them are about the body & structure than anything else.

Avoid

2006 Lexus IS

185 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly body & structure.

Cleanest on record

2015 Lexus IS

14 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Lexus IS year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2025 1 0 0 Body & Structure
2024 1 0 0 Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2023 6 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2022 6 0 0 Fuel & Propulsion
2021 2 1 0 Other & Unspecified
2020 7 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2019 3 0 0 Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2018 3 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2017 A 15 0 0 Fuel & Propulsion
2016 2 0 0 Fuel & Propulsion
2015 A 14 0 0 Electrical System
2014 A 16 1 0 Electrical System
2013 C 13 4 0 55,000 Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2012 D 29 5 0 23,000 Airbags
2011 A 22 0 0 115,000 Airbags
2010 D 52 12 0 67,000 Airbags
2009 D 55 6 0 40,000 Acceleration & Cruise Control
2008 D 143 7 0 73,000 Other & Unspecified
2007 D 171 13 0 85,000 Body & Structure
2006 D 185 5 9 90,000 Body & Structure
2005 C 13 2 0 47,000 Body & Structure
2004 B 12 1 0 74,837 Other & Unspecified
2003 C 18 9 0 48,500 Airbags
2002 B 17 1 0 88,000 Body & Structure
2001 1 1 0 Engine & Cooling
1999 1 0 0 Other & Unspecified

What breaks on a Lexus IS

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Body & Structure 148 18.3%

Worst in 2007

Airbags 114 14.1%

Worst in 2006

Worst in 2007

Worst in 2006

Worst in 2008

Worst in 2006

Worst in 2008

Steering 34 4.2%

Worst in 2007

Worst in 2006

Worst in 2009

Brakes 22 2.7%

Worst in 2006

Lights 15 1.9%

Worst in 2007

Suspension 12 1.5%

Worst in 2006

Stability & Traction Control 10 1.2%

Worst in 2006

Exactly what failed on a Lexus IS

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Body 49 66.2%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 5 6.8%
Speedometer/Odometer 4 5.4%
Automatic Transmission 4 5.4%
Dashboard 3 4.1%
Door 3 4.1%
Interior 2 2.7%
Windshield 2 2.7%
Sensor 1 1.4%
AIR Handler/Chamber, Ducts, AND Valves 1 1.4%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Lexus IS, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Mar 2005 peak 36 Aug 2026

Lexus IS problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the Lexus IS

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.