Lexus IS Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Lexus IS model year (2014–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Lexus IS Years to Avoid
0 recalls · 9 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 9
0 recalls · 9 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Problem score: 9
0 recalls · 7 complaints
Top issue: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 7
Best Lexus IS Years to Buy
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
Found the right year? Verify that specific IS with a free VIN report.
Lexus IS — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Good |
| 2019 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Good |
| 2018 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 7 | 7 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 9 | 9 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 0 | 9 | 9 | Avoid |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
Lexus IS Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent IS models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2016Mid-decade IS units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2016 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year IS should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2014 Lexus IS if possible. It has 0 recalls, 9 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is ENGINE. The overall problem score is 9 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year IS to buy?+
The 2022 Lexus IS is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which IS has the fewest problems?+
The 2022, 2023, 2024 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Lexus IS Research
Check a Specific Lexus IS VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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