Lexus IS 300: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
The Lexus IS 300 has 10 model year(s) in the federal index and no scored complaint record yet, so this page carries the catalogue entry and the years we hold rather than a verdict.
Lexus IS 300: which years to avoid
Across 8 scored model years the Lexus IS 300 ranges from 87/100 in 2019 to 93/100 in 2020 — a 6-point spread, so which year you buy matters.
Safest years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 91 | BUY | $3,849 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 92 | BUY | $3,980 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 87 | BUY | $4,042 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 89 | BUY | $4,274 | 5 | 0 |
| 2021 | 93 | BUY | $4,294 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 93 | BUY | $4,636 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 87 | BUY | $4,520 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | 90 | BUY | $4,410 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | — | DATA PENDING | $5,250 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | DATA PENDING | $5,390 | 0 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
What goes wrong on the Lexus IS 300
Across every IS 300 model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Engine4 complaints across all IS 300 years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Structure3 complaints across all IS 300 years · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair$1,070–$2,920
- Visibility2 complaints across all IS 300 years · typical job: Glass, wiper or defogger repair$490–$1,200
- Suspension2 complaints across all IS 300 years · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle$780–$1,580
- Service Brakes2 complaints across all IS 300 years · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles$580–$1,140
- Power Train2 complaints across all IS 300 years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Lexus IS 300 years to buy?
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2020 at 93/100, on 2 complaints and 0 recall campaigns.
What is the most common Lexus IS 300 problem?
4 of the complaints filed against the IS 300 across all its model years sit in the Engine group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04