2011 Lexus IS

Car · 2010–2027

2010–2013 Lexus IS — 2010–2013 pictured. Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad Be careful2010–2012, 2014More problems; check the recalls were done

Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2011CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly air bags and engine Extended coverage

58 serious complaints of 62, the most about air bags (43) and engine (5); per car on the road, 2.2× this model's usual year. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2011 lexus is 250. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2016

“Fuel is not delivered to firing chamber due to failure of fuel pressure sensor. This will cause engine to shut off when on the road. No obd-ii code is present since the failure of the fuel pressure sensor will put the car in protected mode, no code can be read.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2020

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Lexus's agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata… (22LE02, Jul 2022)
Extended coverage Dealer Email: Lexus has received reports indicating that a combination of high humidity, high temperatures, and light intensity may cause the surface of the dashboard (instrument panel) and/or certain interior trim panels in some of the subject vehicles to become cracked and/or sticky over time. (ZLZ Dealer, Sep 2018)
Extended coverage Customer Support Program Bulletin: Lexus has received reports indicating that a combination of high humidity, high temperatures, and light intensity may cause the surface of the Dashboard (Instrument Panel) and/or certain interior trim panels in some of the subject vehicles to become cracked… (ZLZ Lexus, Sep 2018)
Extended coverage Job Aid: CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZLZ Repair Coverage for the Dashboard (Instrument Panel) and/or Certain Interior Trim Panels Covered Vehicles and Components (ZLZ Job-Aid, Sep 2018)
Extended coverage Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (KLG 19LE05-TI-Up, Aug 2020)
Repair program Limited Service Campaign LSC ELE Certain 2008 through 2012 Model Year ISF Vehicles Engine Cooling Fans. (Service, Nov 2014)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

62 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18–24 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features

Every IS year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl; 3.5L 6-cyl; 5.0L 8-cyl · Drive: AWD, RWD

2011 IS trims

	250C	350C	F

base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Lexus reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Lexus aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Recalls	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2027	—	—	—	Not rated	0	0	—	—
2026	3.5L 6-cyl, 311 hp	AWD, RWD	22 mpg	Not rated	0	1	Vehicle speed control (1)	—
2025	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp 5.0L 8-cyl, 472 hp	AWD, RWD	20–25 mpg	5 of 5	0	1	Structure (1)	Yes
2024	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp 5.0L 8-cyl, 472 hp	AWD, RWD	20–25 mpg	5 of 5	0	1	Visibility (1)	Yes
2023	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp 5.0L 8-cyl, 472 hp	AWD, RWD	20–25 mpg	5 of 5	0	5	Back over prevention (1)	Yes
2022	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp 5.0L 8-cyl, 472 hp	AWD, RWD	20–25 mpg	5 of 5	1	5	Engine (2)	Yes
2021	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp	AWD, RWD	22–25 mpg	5 of 5	0	3	Unknown or other (3)	Yes
2020	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp	AWD, RWD	21–24 mpg	5 of 5	0	9	Unknown or other (3)	No
2019	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 260–311 hp	AWD, RWD	21–24 mpg	5 of 5	0	10	Unknown or other (6)	No
2018	2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, RWD	22–26 mpg	5 of 5	0	9	Engine (2)	No
2017	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, RWD	21–26 mpg	5 of 5	2	21	Fuel/propulsion system (6)	No
2016	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 241 hp 3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, RWD	21–26 mpg	5 of 5	0	18	Service brakes (5)	No
2015	2.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, RWD	21–24 mpg	5 of 5	0	30	Electrical system (9)	No
2014	2.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl	AWD, RWD	18–24 mpg	5 of 5	2	65	Electrical system (14)	No
2013	2.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl	AWD, RWD	18–24 mpg	4 of 5	2	13	Visibility/wiper (3)	No
2012	2.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	AWD, RWD	18–24 mpg	Not rated	2	41	Air bags (26)	No
2011	2.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	AWD, RWD	18–24 mpg	Not rated	3	62	Air bags (43)	No
2010	2.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	AWD, RWD	18–24 mpg	Not rated	5	112	Air bags (67)	No

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Lane centering Blind-spot monitoring

Apple lists CarPlay for: IS 2021–2025 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2027	LEXUS IS 350 4 DR ICE RWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	0
2027	LEXUS IS 350 4 DR ICE AWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	0
2026	LEXUS IS 350 4 DR N/A AWD	Not Rated	Standard	Standard	0	1
2026	LEXUS IS 350 4 DR N/A RWD	Not Rated	Standard	Standard	0	1
2025	Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2025	Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2025	Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2025	Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2025	Lexus IS 500 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2024	Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2024	Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2024	Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2024	Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2024	Lexus IS 500 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2023	Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	5
2023	Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	5
2023	Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	5
2023	Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	5
2023	Lexus IS 500 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	5
2022	Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	5
2022	Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	5
2022	Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	4
2022	Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	4
2022	Lexus IS 500 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	4
2021	Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2021	Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2021	Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	0
2021	Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	0
2020	Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	2
2020	Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	2
2020	Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2020	Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2019	Lexus IS300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	7
2019	Lexus IS300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	7
2019	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	1
2019	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	1
2018	Lexus IS300 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	6
2018	Lexus IS300 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	6
2018	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	0
2018	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	0
2017	Lexus IS200T 4 DR RWD	5	No	Standard	2	7
2017	Lexus IS300 4 DR AWD	5	No	Standard	0	2
2017	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	5	No	Standard	0	1
2017	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	5	No	Standard	0	1
2016	Lexus IS200T 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	9
2016	Lexus IS200T 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	9
2016	Lexus IS300 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	3
2016	Lexus IS300 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	3
2016	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	2
2016	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	2
2015	Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	16
2015	Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	16
2015	Lexus IS250C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	1
2015	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	Optional	1	4
2015	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	1	4
2015	Lexus IS350C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	0
2014	Lexus IS F 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	1
2014	Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	No	0	35
2014	Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	No	0	35
2014	Lexus IS250C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	0
2014	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	No	1	14
2014	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	No	1	14
2014	Lexus IS350C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	3
2013	Lexus IS F 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	8
2013	Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD	4	No	No	3	13
2013	Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD	4	No	No	3	13
2013	Lexus IS250C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	13
2013	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	4	No	No	4	8
2013	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	4	No	No	4	8
2013	Lexus IS350C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	8
2012	Lexus IS F 4DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	15
2012	Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	36
2012	Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	36
2012	Lexus IS250c C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	36
2012	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	20
2012	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	20
2012	Lexus IS350C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	20
2011	Lexus IS F 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	14
2011	Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	49
2011	Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	49
2011	Lexus IS250c C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	49
2011	Lexus IS350 4 DR AWD	Not Rated	No	No	7	23
2011	Lexus IS350 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	7	23
2011	Lexus IS350C C RWD	Not Rated	No	No	7	23
2010	Lexus IS F 4-DR w/SAB	Not Rated	Optional	No	6	42
2010	Lexus IS250/350 4-DR w/SAB	Not Rated	Optional	No	9	110
2010	Lexus IS250C/350C Convertible w/SAB	Not Rated	Optional	No	9	110

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2026	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2026	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2025	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2025	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2025	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2025	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2025	IS 500	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	20
2024	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2024	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2024	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2024	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2024	IS 500	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	20
2023	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2023	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2023	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2023	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2023	IS 500	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	20
2022	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2022	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2022	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2022	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2022	IS 500	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	20
2021	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2021	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2021	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2021	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2020	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2020	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2020	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2020	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2019	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2019	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2019	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2019	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2018	IS 300	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2018	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2018	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2018	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2017	IS 200t	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2017	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2017	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2017	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2016	IS 200t	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2016	IS 300 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2016	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2016	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2015	IS 250	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	24
2015	IS 250 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	23
2015	IS 250 C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	24
2015	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2015	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2015	IS 350 C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2014	IS 250	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	24
2014	IS 250 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	23
2014	IS 250 C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	24
2014	IS 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2014	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2014	IS 350 C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2014	IS F	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18
2013	IS 250 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	23
2013	IS 250/IS 250C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	24
2013	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2013	IS 350/IS 350C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2013	IS F	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18
2012	IS 250 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	22
2012	IS 250/IS 250C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L	22–24
2012	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2012	IS 350/IS 350C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2012	IS F	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18
2011	IS 250 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	22
2011	IS 250/IS 250C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L	22–24
2011	IS 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20
2011	IS 350/IS 350C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2011	IS F	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18
2010	IS 250 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L	22
2010	IS 250/IS 250C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L	21–24
2010	IS 350/IS 350C	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20
2010	IS F	Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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