Lexus IS Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Lexus IS model year (2001–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Lexus IS Years to Avoid
14 recalls · 296 complaints
18 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 379
10 recalls · 274 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 318
10 recalls · 154 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 190
Best Lexus IS Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: VISIBILITY
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 2
Found the right year? Verify that specific IS with a free VIN report.
Lexus IS — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 2 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 8 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 11 | — | — | 17 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 14 | 6 | — | 26 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 1 | 24 | — | — | 27 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 2 | 43 | 1 | — | 51 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 16 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 3 | 30 | 5 | — | 49 | Good |
| 2011 | 5 | 46 | 3 | — | 67 | Good |
| 2010 | 7 | 64 | 2 | — | 89 | Good |
| 2009 | 9 | 52 | 3 | — | 85 | Good |
| 2008 | 10 | 154 | 3 | — | 190 | Caution |
| 2007 | 10 | 274 | 7 | — | 318 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 14 | 296 | 18 | 1 | 379 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 1 | 11 | 1 | — | 16 | Excellent |
| 2004 | 1 | 21 | 5 | — | 34 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 1 | 19 | 9 | — | 40 | Good |
| 2002 | 1 | 35 | 6 | — | 50 | Good |
| 2001 | 1 | 18 | 6 | — | 33 | Excellent |
All 26 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Lexus IS Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent IS models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2013Mid-decade IS units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2013 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder IS models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year IS should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2006 Lexus IS if possible. It has 14 recalls, 296 owner complaints, and 1 reported death. The overall problem score is 379 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year IS to buy?+
The 2021 Lexus IS is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which IS has the fewest problems?+
The 2021, 2024, 2023 model years have the fewest documented problems. 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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