FORCAR
Go Pro

Lexus IS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 47 owner complaints on the Lexus IS from 36 production runs; the worst run has 5, the typical one 1.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 47 complaints · 36 runs · 2014–2021 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported IS run is JTHBE1D29E5 (2014 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.8× the typical run. Fuel/propulsion system problems make up 24% of reports; 2020 is the worst model year at 2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for IS model years 2006–2022.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lexus IS has 36 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 32% of every IS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Lexus IS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JTHBE1D29E5••••••20145——
JTHAA1D21L5••••••20203——
JTHBA1D27H5••••••20173——
JTHCM1D20H5••••••20172——
JTHGA1D22L5••••••20202——
JTHBA1D2XH5••••••20172——
JTHBF1D29E5••••••20141——
JTHGZ1B20M5••••••202111—
JTHBF1D25E5••••••20141——
JTHCF1D25E5••••••20141——
JTHBF1D27E5••••••201411—
JTHCF1D25F5••••••20151——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 24 IS runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 263 IS VINs so far, most often 2025, 2023, 2014 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lexus IS the gap between build years is 2×: a 2020 car draws 2 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.

FIG.02·Lexus IS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2020263—
2018133—
20171.6117—
2015199—
20141.51281
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2020 at 2 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 24% of everything Lexus IS owners report: Fuel/propulsion System, 13 of 47 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Lexus IS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Fuel/propulsion System13——
Unknown Or Other121—
Engine9——
Electrical System8——
Steering5——
Structure3——
Air Bags31—
Visibility/wiper2——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Lexus IS; the 6 below cover build years 2006 to 2015. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Lexus IS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
19V741000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2006–2015
18V432000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2006–2014
13V030000Visibility/wiper2006–2012
19V005000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2010–2015
16V340000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2006–2011
14V647000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2006–2011
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

19V741000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2006: 13 years on the road before the recall.

The IS against its rivals

The IS draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Acura ILX 1.6. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Lexus IS VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Lexus IS47361.34.3%
Acura ILX2561601.68.6%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 47 reports on the Lexus IS, 4.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Lexus IS — complaint severity
OutcomeLexus ISAll vehicles
Complaints filed471,116,631
Involved a crash2 (4.3%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported058,047
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Upgrade to Pro

You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.

  • Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
  • The original window sticker and factory options
  • Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
  • Decode a whole list of VINs at once
  • No ads, no tracking — and much more
See plans → Start free →
Free plan available — no credit card needed

How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Lexus IS share of that is 47 complaints over 36 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Lexus IS
Recalls118 campaignsFuel economy26 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems47 complaintsCargo space22 cu ftUsed prices2,118 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2001–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Lexus IS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 47 NHTSA complaints from 36 IS runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which IS production run has the most complaints?

JTHBE1D29E5, a 2014 build, with 5 complaints. The typical IS run has 1.3.

Which IS years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2020 is heaviest at 2 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.

Does the IS get more complaints than the Acura ILX?

No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the IS against 1.6 for the Acura ILX.

How many IS complaints involve a crash?

4.3% of 47 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
Found this useful?

Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.

Prefer ForCar →