The Lemon Index
2004
20061st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,789 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 BMW 3 Series2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 522005 Cadillac CTS 181
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E012000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Lexus sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 4 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
- SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2005" title="Lexus IS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-is/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Lexus IS reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,789 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (50%), brakes (25%) and suspension (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Lexus IS have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Lexus IS get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 50% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Lexus IS have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works