Head-to-head reliability
Lexus IS vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus IS and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The Lexus IS averages 5.8 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Lexus IS issues often involve engine misfires; Camry issues span power train, brakes, and electrical systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus IS or Toyota Camry 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 averages about 5.8 complaints per year over the past decade, with only one recall. Owner reports center on engine misfires that cause shaking, reduced power, and sudden loss of acceleration, often requiring multiple dealer visits. There are also complaints about a sticky, decomposing dashboard that can reflect sunlight and obscure the driver's view. Overall, the IS shows a lower volume of complaints, but the engine issues can be serious and persistent.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize family sedan with a much higher complaint rate—about 205.6 per year—and 31 recalls over the same period. Owners report a wide range of problems, including transmission hesitation and shuddering, brake noises, and electrical glitches affecting safety systems. Some complaints involve serious safety concerns like airbag sensors and wheel studs. While the Camry is popular, the sheer number of complaints suggests a higher likelihood of encountering issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus IS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 58 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 of the Lexus IS report intermittent engine misfires that trigger flashing check engine lights, reduced engine power, and sudden loss of acceleration. These symptoms can be dangerous in traffic and often require repeated dealer repairs.
Similar to fuel system complaints, engine issues involve misfires, engine shaking, and loss of power. Some owners describe multiple repair attempts without a permanent fix, which can be frustrating and costly.
A few owners of newer Lexus IS models complain of health and safety issues shortly after purchase, though details are limited. This suggests potential build quality or material concerns that buyers should inspect.
Reports include a sticky, decomposing dashboard that becomes reflective in sunlight and obscures visibility. Another owner described the car shaking violently and the check engine light coming on during a routine start.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Camry owners report transmission shuddering, hesitation during acceleration, and a stuck ignition key that cannot be removed unless the battery is disconnected. These issues can leave drivers stranded or unable to secure the vehicle.
Engine complaints include delayed throttle response and shuddering with the check engine light on. Some owners experience several seconds of delay when pressing the gas pedal, which could be a safety risk when merging or crossing traffic.
Owners describe the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that dealers say is normal for the 2023 Camry. These issues can affect confidence in the braking system.
Multiple safety systems—including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This could leave the driver without critical assistance features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
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 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Lexus IS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus IS has far fewer complaints per year (5.8 vs. 205.6) and only one recall compared to 31 for the Camry. In practice, this means a used IS is likely to have fewer reported problems overall, but the engine misfire issues can be serious and persistent. The Camry's higher complaint volume reflects a broader range of issues, from transmission to brakes to electrical glitches.
Key differences
- The Lexus IS averages 5.8 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 205.6—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Lexus IS complaints often involve engine misfires causing shaking and power loss, whereas Camry complaints span power train, brakes, and electrical systems.
- The Camry has 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints; the Lexus IS has 1 recall and 1 crash-related complaint.
- Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and electronic parking brake failures, while Lexus IS owners report dashboard degradation and engine misfires.
- Check for any history of engine misfires, flashing check engine lights, or reduced power—ask for service records and scan for stored codes.
- Inspect the dashboard for stickiness, cracking, or excessive glare, especially on older models, as this can impair visibility.
- Test the ignition key removal and transmission behavior for shuddering or hesitation during a test drive.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal and verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and look for repeated engine or transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including scanning for diagnostic trouble codes.
- For the Lexus IS, specifically check for misfire-related codes and dashboard condition.
- For the Camry, test all safety systems (blind spot, lane keeping, stability control) and the electronic parking brake.
- Ask the seller for all recall documentation and confirm that any open recalls have been addressed.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 | 163 |
| 2024 | 3 | 50 |
| 2023 | 15 | 64 |
| 2022 | 13 | 61 |
| 2021 | 2 | 157 |
| 2020 | 6 | 274 |
| 2019 | 2 | 395 |
| 2018 | 3 | 744 |
| 2017 | 10 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus IS vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus IS total complaints
- 58
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lexus IS total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus IS avg complaints/year
- 5.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lexus IS
- Lexus IS top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN