Head-to-head reliability
Lexus ES vs Lexus IS
How the Lexus ES and Lexus IS compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lexus ES vs Lexus IS: The ES has 184 complaints and 8 recalls over 10 years, while the IS has 58 complaints and 1 recall. The ES reports airbag and brake issues, whereas the IS suffers engine misfires. Both have 0 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus ES or Lexus IS more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan with a mixed reliability record over the past decade. Owners report 184 complaints, averaging 18.4 per year, with airbags and fuel system issues being the most common. While the ES has a higher complaint volume than the IS, many are tied to recalls and specific component failures. Buyers should be aware of potential airbag sensor problems, fuel system quirks, and engine leaks.
Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is a sport sedan with significantly fewer complaints—58 over 10 years, or 5.8 per year. The most frequent issues involve the fuel/propulsion system and engine, often manifesting as misfires and power loss. There is also a notable complaint about dashboard degradation. Overall, the IS shows a lower complaint rate, but the reported engine issues can be serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus ES | Lexus IS |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 184 | 58 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 | 1 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 | 1 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.4 | 5.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 | 3 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lexus ES
- 01AIR BAGS44
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34
- 03ENGINE23
- 04SERVICE BRAKES23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
Owners report airbag malfunctions, including failure to deploy in crashes and recall-related delays for passenger-side airbags. An 'SRS Airbag System Malfunction' message may appear after impact, indicating a safety concern.
Complaints describe the car 'lunging' forward when shifting into drive and intermittent loss of power during acceleration. These issues can occur monthly and may affect drivability and safety.
Some owners experience transmission failure and timing chain cover leaks, even after regular dealership maintenance. Repairs can be costly, sometimes exceeding 10% of the vehicle's purchase price.
Reports include brake failure while driving downhill, requiring pumping the pedal and downshifting to stop. This is a critical safety issue that demands immediate attention.
“I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the prolonged recall of the passenger-side airbag in my 2020 Lexus ES350 (VIN #[XXX]). The recall numbers are (23LA03, 23LB03 and 23V865) these were issued in December of 2023, which h…”
“On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on…”
Lexus IS
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
- 02ENGINE12
- 03STRUCTURE10
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
- 05POWER TRAIN7
Owners report recurring engine misfires, flashing check engine lights, reduced power, and sudden loss of acceleration. These symptoms often persist despite multiple repair attempts.
Similar to fuel system complaints, engine misfires and shaking are common, with some vehicles experiencing three documented misfire events over seven months. This can lead to expensive diagnostics and repairs.
A 2025 IS owner reported health and safety issues within days of purchase, though details are vague. This suggests potential structural or interior problems that may affect comfort and safety.
Dashboard degradation creates a sticky, reflective surface that obscures visibility in sunlight. This is a nuisance and safety hazard, especially in bright conditions.
“I am filing this updated complaint to supplement my prior complaint (NHTSA ID No. XXX, filed January 27, 2026) regarding a recurring, safety-critical engine defect in my 2020 Lexus IS300 RWD, 8AR-FTS engine. DEFECT: Three documented misfire events over seven…”
“This vehicle has a recurring, safety-critical defect involving intermittent engine misfires, flashing MILs, reduced engine power, sudden loss of acceleration, and noticeable engine shaking. Despite multiple repair attempts and extended diagnostics by a dealer…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lexus ES — 8 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
Lexus IS — 1 recall
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
Buyer analysis
Lexus ES or Lexus IS: which should you buy?
The Lexus IS has fewer issues per year (5.8 vs. 18.4 for the ES), but the ES's higher count includes many airbag and fuel complaints. In practice, the IS may be less troublesome overall, but its engine misfires can be severe. The ES has more recalls and a wider range of problems.
Key differences
- The Lexus ES has 184 complaints over 10 years, while the IS has only 58, indicating fewer reported issues for the IS.
- Airbag problems are prominent in the ES (44 complaints) but not in the IS, which has no airbag complaints in the top components.
- The IS suffers from engine misfires and power loss, while the ES has fuel system 'lunging' and brake failure reports.
- The ES has 8 recalls, including airbag and backover prevention, whereas the IS has only 1 recall for a fuel pump.
- Check for airbag recall status and ensure any open recalls are addressed, especially passenger-side airbag sensors.
- Test drive at various speeds and brake firmly to detect any brake failure or lunging during acceleration.
- Listen for engine misfires or shaking during idle and acceleration, and check for flashing check engine lights.
- Inspect the dashboard for sticky or reflective surfaces, especially in sunlight, which can impair visibility.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are completed, especially for the ES airbag and fuel pump recalls.
- Take a test drive that includes highway merging, braking, and shifting to reproduce lunging or misfire symptoms.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for leaks (ES timing chain cover) and misfire codes (IS).
- Check the dashboard condition on the IS for degradation and reflectivity.
- Verify brake function on the ES by performing a safe stop from highway speed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lexus ES | Lexus IS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 15 | 3 |
| 2024 | 9 | 3 |
| 2023 | 22 | 15 |
| 2022 | 23 | 13 |
| 2021 | 28 | 2 |
| 2020 | 18 | 6 |
| 2019 | 62 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 | 10 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lexus ES or Lexus IS in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus ES vs Lexus IS
- Lexus ES total complaints
- 184
- Lexus IS total complaints
- 58
- Lexus ES total recalls
- 8
- Lexus IS total recalls
- 1
- Lexus ES avg complaints/year
- 18.4
- Lexus IS avg complaints/year
- 5.8
- More reliable overall
- Lexus IS
- Lexus ES top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Lexus IS top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM