VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Lexus IS2001–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Lexus IS
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Lexus IS Years to Avoid
10 recalls · 296 complaints
18 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
8 recalls · 277 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
8 recalls · 154 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Lexus IS — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 49 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 64 | 87 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 77 | 92 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 100 | 87 | 95 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 100 | 94 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 97 | 99 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 7 | — | — | 99 | 96 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | 86 | 92 | 88 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 97 | 86 | 93 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 13 | — | — | 80 | 79 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 14 | 6 | — | 80 | 72 | 77 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 3 | 24 | — | — | 80 | 65 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 3 | 44 | 1 | — | 80 | 59 | 73 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 11 | — | — | 80 | 54 | 71 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 4 | 33 | 5 | — | 80 | 50 | 70 | Good |
| 2011 | 5 | 47 | 3 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Good |
| 2010 | 6 | 68 | 3 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Good |
| 2009 | 6 | 52 | 3 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Good |
| 2008 | 8 | 154 | 3 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Caution |
| 2007 | 8 | 277 | 7 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 10 | 296 | 18 | 1 | 80 | 47 | 68 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 1 | 11 | 1 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2004 | 1 | 21 | 5 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 1 | 19 | 9 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Good |
| 2002 | 1 | 35 | 6 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Good |
| 2001 | 1 | 18 | 6 | — | 80 | 47 | 68 | Excellent |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Lexus IS Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the IS compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 99).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 80).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year IS to buy?+
The 2021 Lexus IS scores highest on our Buyer Score (99/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 97/100. It has 0 recalls and 1 NHTSA complaint on record.
Which IS years have the most problems?+
The 2006, 2007, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 IS leads with 10 recalls and 296 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common IS problems?+
The most frequently reported Lexus IS issues involve: AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.