The Lemon Index
202020233rd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: fuel system
Better years to buy
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2022 BMW 3 Series 112022 Acura TLX2022 Tesla Model 3 276
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
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 26V222000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Lexus sent dealers 65 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Condition in which a musty”?
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 5 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 65 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Condition in which a musty
- Some 2015 2017 model year NX 200t, 2016 2017 model year GS 200t, IS 200t, and RC 200t, 2018…
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 2026 New: most likely still open
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS 350 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS 350 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2022 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 2022 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2022" 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/2022/">Lemon Index</a> (2022 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2022 Lexus IS reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 19; 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 2022 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system (40%), engine (40%) and body structure (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 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 2022 Lexus IS get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2022 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 2022 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2022 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2022 Lexus IS have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Lexus IS year than the 2022?
Not nearby: the 2022 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