The Lemon Index
2012
20153rd generation
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2014 BMW 3 Series 532014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 442014 Cadillac CTS 88
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 34,000 miles (3,200–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Lexus sent dealers 319 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent discharged battery”?
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 27 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 34K miles (3K to 55K km) on the car (21 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The navigation/entertainment system simply stopped working while the car was in motion. The dealer couldn't restart the system and is waiting for the replacement unit. The car is new (purchased less than 2 months ago).
2014 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10563565
More owner reports
Sun roof not opening sometimes. Sunroof want open with just a touch of button. We have to hold button down to open and close.
NHTSA complaint 11019577
I had a car accident due to the break not working car accidents caused by mechanical failure the airbag didn't even work
NHTSA complaint 11022355
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 319 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent discharged battery
- While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its…
- While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500,…
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
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS F 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2014 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2014 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2014" 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/2014/">Lemon Index</a> (2014 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2014 Lexus IS reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 48; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lexus IS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2014 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), airbags (19%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Lexus IS have?
1 safety recall (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Lexus IS get?
18 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Lexus IS safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Lexus IS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 34,000 miles (3,200–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2014 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2014 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2014 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Lexus IS have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2014?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter 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