Lexus IS F: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Lexus IS F: 4 model years scored from 38 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Worst year 2011, best year 2011.
Lexus IS F: which years to avoid
Across 4 scored model years the Lexus IS F ranges from 82/100 in 2012 to 88/100 in 2014 — a 6-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Air Bags (7 of them).
Safest years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 88 | BUY | $6,522 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 | 87 | BUY | $6,672 | 8 | 2 |
| 2012 | 82 | BUY | $6,820 | 15 | 2 |
| 2011 | 83 | BUY | $7,058 | 14 | 3 |
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.
Photographs and every generation of the IS F, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Lexus IS F
Across every IS F 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.
- Air Bags17 complaints across all IS F years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Visibility/Wiper6 complaints across all IS F years · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement$490–$1,200
- Fuel/Propulsion System5 complaints across all IS F years · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement$680–$1,620
- Engine5 complaints across all IS F years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other4 complaints across all IS F years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints across all IS F years · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement$520–$1,150
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 F years to buy?
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2014 at 88/100, on 1 complaints and 2 recall campaigns.
What is the most common Lexus IS F problem?
17 of the complaints filed against the IS F across all its model years sit in the Air Bags group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04