The 2020 draws 2 complaints per run and the 2018 1, a 2.0-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 8 years of age, so 95.7% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Fuel/propulsion System, with 13 complaints, typically at 8.2 years.
Lexus IS years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 3 | yes | |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2017 | 11 | 7 | yes | |
| 2015 | 9 | 9 | yes | |
| 2014 | 12 | 8 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2020 IS asks a median $26,995, against $31,999 for a 2021, the next model year: about 16% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 5 Lexus IS years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2020, 2017, 2014; the three worth hunting are 2018, 2015, 2014.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 2.1% | covered | |
| 3 years | 4.3% | covered | |
| 4 years | 8.5% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 10.6% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 31.9% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 42.6% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 57.4% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 63.8% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 85.1% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 93.6% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 4.3% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 95.7% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (6 years / 70,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 19% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Fuel/propulsion System at 8.2 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6.6 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Engine | 8.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 9.3 yrs | — | — | |
| Steering | 7 yrs | — | — | |
| Structure | 8.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 10 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | 8.5 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the IS's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Corolla draws 5.16, the BMW M3 1.49 and the Acura TLX 2.1, against 1.31 for the IS. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the IS | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | 219 | 1981–2026 | |
| BMW M3 | 78 | 1988–2026 | |
| Acura TLX | 41 | 2015–2026 | |
| Ford Focus | 138 | 2000–2026 | |
| Subaru WRX | 17 | 2015–2026 | |
| Nissan Versa | 75 | 2007–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus IS reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.31 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.
Which IS years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2020, 2017, 2014. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2018, 2015, 2014. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do IS problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 8 years of age. The most reported system is Fuel/propulsion System, typically at 8.2 years, followed by Unknown Or Other.
Will the warranty cover IS problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 4.3% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 19% of the complaints here.
Is the IS more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?
Yes: 1.31 complaints per production run for the IS against 5.16 for the Toyota Corolla.
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