Head-to-head reliability
Lexus IS vs Lexus UX
How the Lexus IS and Lexus UX compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lexus IS vs Lexus UX: The IS averages 5.8 complaints per year with 1 crash-related report, while the UX averages 2.5 per year but has 9 crash-related reports. The IS has a fuel pump recall; the UX has none. Both show serious owner-reported issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus IS or Lexus UX more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is a compact luxury sedan that has averaged about 5.8 complaints per year over the past decade, with most issues centered on the fuel/propulsion system and engine. Owners frequently describe intermittent misfires, flashing check engine lights, reduced power, and sudden loss of acceleration, often requiring multiple dealer visits. There is also a recall for the fuel pump, and a small number of crashes and injuries have been reported. While the overall complaint count is moderate, the engine and fuel-related symptoms can be safety-critical and frustrating to live with.
Lexus UX
The Lexus UX is a subcompact luxury SUV with a lower complaint rate of about 2.5 per year over eight years, but it has a notably high number of crash-related complaints relative to its total. The most common problem areas are service brakes and vehicle speed control, with owners reporting brake failure and unintended acceleration-like events. There are no recalls on record for the UX. Electrical and power train issues also appear, including stalling and door lock malfunctions. Despite fewer complaints overall, the crash-related reports suggest that when problems occur, they 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 IS | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 58 | 20 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 | 0 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 9 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.8 | 2.5 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 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 IS
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
- 02ENGINE12
- 03STRUCTURE10
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
- 05POWER TRAIN7
Owners report recurring engine misfires, flashing check engine lights, reduced engine power, and sudden loss of acceleration. These symptoms often persist despite multiple repair attempts, and a fuel pump recall exists for this system, making it a key area to verify.
Complaints describe intermittent misfires, engine shaking, and sudden power loss, sometimes with the check engine light flashing. These issues can leave a driver stranded or unable to accelerate safely, and they may require extensive diagnostics.
Some owners of newer models report health and safety issues within days of purchase, though the exact nature is unclear from the excerpt. This suggests that even low-mileage examples may have structural or interior problems worth inspecting.
Reports include a sticky, decomposing dashboard that becomes reflective and obscures visibility, as well as sudden engine shaking and check engine light illumination. These issues affect comfort and visibility, and the dashboard problem may be costly to fix.
“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…”
Lexus UX
- 01SERVICE BRAKES6
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 04POWER TRAIN3
- 05STRUCTURE3
Owners report brake failure without warning, including one instance where the vehicle crashed into a restaurant and another where brakes failed after a car wash, leading to a collision. This is a critical safety concern that should be checked immediately.
Complaints describe unintended acceleration or speed control issues, such as during parallel parking or on the freeway with a check engine light and malfunction alert. These events can lead to loss of control and crashes.
Reports include brake malfunction tied to electrical issues and door lock problems where doors may not lock as intended, even with child locks engaged. Electrical gremlins can affect safety features and are often hard to diagnose.
Owners report stalling while driving or accelerating from a stop, along with check engine light illumination and transmission concerns. Stalling in traffic can be dangerous and may indicate a serious power train fault.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My Lexus 2020 UX200's brake malfunctioned and caused a crash accident into a restaurant on February 29th. It was inspected by Lexus Liability and an independent…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 LEXUS UX250 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON EXITING A CAR WASH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE UPON DEPRESSION WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO FAILURE, THE CONTACT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPL…”
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 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…
Lexus UX
No recalls on record.
Buyer analysis
Lexus IS or Lexus UX: which should you buy?
The Lexus UX has fewer complaints per year (2.5 vs. 5.8 for the IS), but the UX has a much higher proportion of crash-related complaints (9 out of 20) compared to the IS (1 out of 58). In practice, the IS may have more frequent engine and fuel-related annoyances, while the UX's problems, though less common, appear more likely to result in a crash. Neither vehicle is free of serious reported issues.
Key differences
- The Lexus IS has a fuel pump recall and numerous complaints about engine misfires and sudden power loss, while the UX has no recalls but multiple reports of brake failure and unintended acceleration.
- The UX has a much higher share of crash-related complaints (9 out of 20) compared to the IS (1 out of 58), despite having fewer total complaints.
- The IS averages 5.8 complaints per year, more than double the UX's 2.5 per year, but the IS complaints are more often about drivability and engine issues rather than crashes.
- The UX's most common problem areas are service brakes and vehicle speed control, which are directly tied to crash risk, whereas the IS's top areas are fuel/propulsion and engine, which can cause breakdowns but less frequently lead to collisions.
- Check for any history of engine misfires, flashing check engine lights, or reduced power; ask for service records and scan for stored trouble codes.
- Inspect the dashboard for stickiness, decomposition, or reflectivity, especially on older models, as this can impair visibility and is expensive to replace.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including after a car wash or in wet conditions, and ask if there have been any brake-related repairs or crashes.
- Check for unintended acceleration or speed control issues by test driving at low speeds and parking maneuvers, and verify that all door locks function correctly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and any available dealer service records, paying special attention to engine, fuel, and brake repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes scanning for diagnostic trouble codes and checking for recalls (especially the fuel pump recall on the IS).
- During the test drive, listen for engine misfires, hesitation, or shaking, and test the brakes in various conditions, including after a car wash if possible.
- Verify that all electrical components work, including door locks, windows, and dashboard displays, and check for any sticky or reflective dashboard surfaces.
- Ask the seller directly about any past accidents, especially for the UX, and confirm whether the vehicle has been involved in any crash-related incidents.
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 IS | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | 15 | 1 |
| 2022 | 13 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 | 4 |
| 2020 | 6 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 | 6 |
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 IS or Lexus UX in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus IS vs Lexus UX
- Lexus IS total complaints
- 58
- Lexus UX total complaints
- 20
- Lexus IS total recalls
- 1
- Lexus UX total recalls
- 0
- Lexus IS avg complaints/year
- 5.8
- Lexus UX avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- More reliable overall
- Lexus UX
- Lexus IS top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Lexus UX top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES