The Lemon Index
201420193rd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: airbags
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 BMW 3 Series 252015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 972015 Cadillac CTS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Lexus sent dealers 264 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 11 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 4K to 25K miles (6K to 41K km) on the car (8 of all 11 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
Vehicle was in motion had a driver side hit, really bad and really hard and the bags didn't deploy
2015 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 11132009
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 264 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 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 IS250 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS250C C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,600 (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.
Every Lexus IS year. 2015 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 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2015" 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/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Lexus IS reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 23; 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 2015 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (27%), electrical (18%) and engine (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Lexus IS have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Lexus IS get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 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.
Does the 2015 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2015 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Lexus IS have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Lexus IS year than the 2015?
Not nearby: the 2015 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Lexus IS years within 3 model years of it. 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