Lexus IS 350C Problems by Year

We compared every Lexus IS 350C model year from 2010–2015 using 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 9 recalls and federal defect investigations. No IS 350C year stands out with an unusual number of complaints. The best years are 2013 and 2015.

6model years
23complaints
9recalls
—worst years
2013, 2015best years

Complaints by model year

20102011201220132014201511633
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus IS 350C. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20150−60%2—Few
20143typical3EngineFew
20130−60%4—Few
20123typical5AirbagFew
201161.6×6AirbagAverage
2010112.6×8AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median IS 350C year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lexus IS 350C problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2010
    1774%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2014
    313%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2010
    29%
  • Other / not specified
    29%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2010
    14%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2010
    14%
  • Body & structureworst: 2010
    14%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2010
    14%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2014
    14%

Latest Lexus IS 350C recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 18V-432 · Jun 26, 2018 · 114,998 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 and GS450h, 2006-2013 Lexus IS350 and 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE gasoline engines. The diaphragms in the fuel pulsation dampers may harden over time and develop cracks, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new pipe that has improved pulsation dampers, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2018.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-006 · Jan 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…

All 9 Lexus IS 350C recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus IS 350C should you avoid?

None of the Lexus IS 350C years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What is the best year for the Lexus IS 350C?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other IS 350C years at the same age, followed by 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lexus IS 350C problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (17), engine & cooling (3) and fuel & propulsion system (2). Airbag complaints peak in the 2010 model year.

How many recalls has the Lexus IS 350C had?

9 recalls across 2010–2015. The model year with the most is 2010. See all Lexus IS 350C recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.