Head-to-head reliability
Lexus RX vs Lexus IS
How the Lexus RX 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 RX vs Lexus IS: The RX has 635 complaints and 17 recalls over 10 years, while the IS has 58 complaints and 1 recall. The RX’s top issues are air bags and electrical drains; the IS’s are engine misfires and power loss. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus RX or Lexus IS more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a mid-size luxury SUV with a much higher complaint volume than the IS—635 over 10 years, or about 63.5 per year. The most common owner-reported problem area is air bags, with 260 complaints, many describing unintended acceleration or seat belt reminder failures. Electrical issues, especially 12-volt battery drains, and engine problems like turbo wastegate faults also appear. With 17 recalls and 73 crash-related complaints, the RX demands careful inspection before purchase.
Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is a compact luxury sedan with far fewer complaints—58 over 10 years, averaging 5.8 per year. The dominant issue is fuel/propulsion system problems, with 14 complaints often describing engine misfires, reduced power, and sudden loss of acceleration. Engine complaints (12) mirror these symptoms, and structure issues (10) include dashboard degradation. Only 1 recall and 1 crash-related complaint appear, suggesting a lower reported failure rate than the RX.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus RX | Lexus IS |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 635 | 58 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 | 1 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 73 | 1 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 63.5 | 5.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 67 | 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 RX
- 01AIR BAGS260
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER107
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM83
- 04ENGINE51
- 05STRUCTURE37
Owners report unintended acceleration leading to crashes, as well as rear seat belt reminders that fail to alert when a passenger is unbuckled. These are safety-critical because they can contribute to loss of control or unbelted occupants in a crash.
Multiple complaints describe a parasitic 12-volt battery drain that can leave the vehicle dead after sitting, sometimes within weeks of new ownership. This can strand a buyer and may require repeated dealer visits.
Some owners report a check engine light with a Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning, traced to a turbocharger wastegate actuator stuck open (code P25B372). This can cause reduced power and expensive repairs.
Complaints include sudden power loss after pressing a seat cooler button and unintended acceleration in drive-thru situations. These unpredictable events are hard to diagnose and can be frightening for a driver.
“The contact owns a 2025 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward at a high rate of speed before crashing into the brick wall of an office building. Dur…”
“The car does not alert when a seat belt is not worn in the back seats. This feature is mentioned in the owner's manual, but the car fails to alert when a rear passenger does not buckle their seat belt. I have raised the complaint twice and proved to lexus ser…”
Lexus IS
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
- 02ENGINE12
- 03STRUCTURE10
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
- 05POWER TRAIN7
Owners of the 2020 IS300 report recurring engine misfires, flashing check engine lights, reduced engine power, and sudden loss of acceleration. These symptoms can leave a driver unable to accelerate safely in traffic.
The same misfire defect appears under engine complaints, with multiple repair attempts by dealers not resolving the issue. This suggests a persistent problem that may be costly and frustrating to fix.
Some 2025 IS350 owners report health and safety issues within days of purchase, though the sample text is vague. A separate complaint describes a sticky, decomposing dashboard that becomes reflective and obscures visibility in sunlight.
One owner reported the car shaking violently at start-up with a check engine light, while another noted a sticky dashboard. These issues affect comfort and visibility, and the shaking could indicate a deeper engine problem.
“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 RX — 17 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Camry, 2019 Lexus NX300, and 2019 RX350L 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. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TA01 and 25LA01.
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 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federa…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in…
The risk: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's num…
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 RX or Lexus IS: which should you buy?
The Lexus IS has far fewer complaints per year (5.8) than the Lexus RX (63.5), and only 1 recall versus 17. In practice, the IS appears to have a lower reported rate of problems, but its main issue—engine misfires and power loss—can be severe. The RX’s higher volume includes many air bag and electrical complaints that may affect safety and daily reliability.
Key differences
- The RX has 635 complaints over 10 years versus 58 for the IS, a much higher reported problem rate.
- RX complaints often involve air bags (260) and unintended acceleration, while IS complaints center on engine misfires and power loss.
- The RX has 17 recalls, including fuel pump and back-over prevention, compared to just 1 fuel pump recall for the IS.
- IS owners report dashboard degradation and sticky surfaces, a structural/comfort issue not seen in the RX sample.
- During a test drive, check for any unintended acceleration or hesitation, especially at low speeds or when using accessories like seat coolers.
- Ask the seller to let the vehicle sit for a few days, then check if the 12-volt battery is dead—a sign of the parasitic drain reported by owners.
- Listen for engine shaking or misfire at start-up and during acceleration; a flashing check engine light is a serious warning.
- Inspect the dashboard for stickiness, melting, or reflective glare, especially on 2025 models, as this can obscure visibility.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are repaired, especially the fuel pump recall on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine codes, battery drain, and air bag system health.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for misfires, power loss, or unintended acceleration.
- Check the 12-volt battery age and condition on the RX; ask if it has been replaced due to drain issues.
- For the IS, inspect the dashboard surface and ask about any history of misfire repairs or check engine light events.
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 RX | Lexus IS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 1 |
| 2025 | 24 | 3 |
| 2024 | 59 | 3 |
| 2023 | 66 | 15 |
| 2022 | 42 | 13 |
| 2021 | 281 | 2 |
| 2020 | 154 | 6 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 RX or Lexus IS in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus RX vs Lexus IS
- Lexus RX total complaints
- 635
- Lexus IS total complaints
- 58
- Lexus RX total recalls
- 17
- Lexus IS total recalls
- 1
- Lexus RX avg complaints/year
- 63.5
- Lexus IS avg complaints/year
- 5.8
- More reliable overall
- Lexus IS
- Lexus RX top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Lexus IS top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM