Lexus IS F Problems by Year

We compared every Lexus IS F model year from 2008–2014 using 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 8 recalls and federal defect investigations. No IS F year stands out with an unusual number of complaints. The best years are 2012 and 2013.

7model years
19complaints
8recalls
—worst years
2012, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

2008200920102011201220132014131221
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus IS F. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20141−14%2EngineFew
20130−43%2—Few
20120−43%2—Few
201121.3×3AirbagFew
201021.3×5AirbagFew
20091−14%6AirbagFew
2008134.0×5AirbagAverage

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

Most common Lexus IS F problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2008
    1263%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2008
    526%
  • Other / not specified
    211%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2008
    15%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2008
    15%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2008
    15%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2014
    15%

Latest Lexus IS F recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-012 · Jan 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles

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, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

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.

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 8 Lexus IS F recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus IS F should you avoid?

None of the Lexus IS F 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 F?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other IS F years at the same age, followed by 2013. 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 F problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (12), engine & cooling (5) and speed control & acceleration (1). Airbag complaints peak in the 2008 model year.

How many recalls has the Lexus IS F had?

8 recalls across 2008–2014. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Lexus IS F 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.