CarBrief

NHTSA has 64 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Lexus IS, and electrical issues are the biggest group[1][2]. The model year also has 4 recalls, so check the VIN before you buy or keep one[3].

64owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
21–24MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 64 owner complaints for the 2014 IS[1]. Of those, 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 2 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints Crashes
Electrical system[2] 14 0
Unknown or other[5] 11 0
Air bags[6] 9 4
Engine[7] 8 0
Fuel/propulsion system[8] 8 1
Brakes[9] 5 3
Steering[10] 5 1
Structure[11] 4 1

Electrical. This is the largest group, with a median mileage at failure of 23,000 and no crashes, fires or injuries[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a driver door that would not unlock, and navigation, audio or emergency-call screens that glitched or shut off[2].

Air bags. The 9 complaints include 4 crashes and 2 injuries[6]. In the sample we read, several owners say the air bags did not deploy in a collision. These are single reports, and they are not proof of a pattern[6].

Engine. There are 8 complaints, 1 of them mentioning a fire, with a median mileage of 42,000[7]. In the sample we read, a few owners describe an oil leak at the timing chain cover that a mechanic or dealer spotted, in one case during an oil change[7].

Fuel and propulsion. The 8 complaints include 1 crash[8]. Owners in the sample describe a wrong fuel gauge reading, fuel pump trouble and a fuel smell[8].

Brakes have 5 complaints, 3 of them with a crash and a median of 4,500 miles[9]. With so few reports, we do not treat any of these groups as a known weak point.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this car in our data[12][13][14][15]. They are newest first. Each one names only certain models, so match your own VIN on the NHTSA recall site.

The fact for each air bag recall does not say the repair is free, so ask your dealer about cost and parts.

Fuel economy

All EPA ratings in our data are for premium fuel. The 2.5L IS 250 rates higher than the 3.5L IS 350[16][4].

Variant City / hwy / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
IS 250, RWD[4] 21 / 30 / 24 $3,400
IS 250 C, RWD[17] 21 / 30 / 24 $3,400
IS 250 AWD[18] 20 / 27 / 23 $3,550
IS 350, RWD[16] 19 / 28 / 22 $3,750
IS 350 C, RWD[19] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,750
IS 350 AWD[20] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,900

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for the 2014 IS. The 2.5L 6-cylinder is rated 204 hp[21]. The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated 306 hp[22].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
IS 250/350 RWD sedan[23] 184 in 71 in 56 in 110 in 3,527 lb
IS 250/350 AWD sedan[24] 184 in 71 in 56 in 110 in 3,737 lb
IS-C 250/350 convertible, RWD[25] 183 in 71 in 56 in 107 in 3,840 lb
IS-F sedan, RWD[26] 183 in 72 in 56 in 107 in 3,781 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2001: 28 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 40 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 33 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 29 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 16 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 426 complaints, 16 recalls2007: 388 complaints, 11 recalls20072008: 257 complaints, 11 recalls2009: 91 complaints, 10 recalls2010: 110 complaints, 9 recalls20102011: 63 complaints, 7 recalls2012: 44 complaints, 5 recalls2013: 14 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 64 complaints, 4 recalls6420142015: 30 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 17 complaints, 0 recalls20162017: 21 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 10 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 9 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 3 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 5 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2024: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each IS model year. The 2014 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2001280
2002400
2003330
2004290
2005160
200642616
200738811
200825711
20099110
20101109
2011637
2012445
2013144
2014644
2015303
2016170
2017212
201891
2019102
202090
202130
202251
202350
202410
202510
202610

The 2014 IS has 64 complaints and 4 recalls on file[3]. That is more complaints than 2011 (63), 2012 (44), 2013 (14) and every year from 2015 on, such as 2015 with 30[3]. It is fewer than 2006 (426), 2007 (388), 2008 (257), 2010 (110) and 2009 (91)[3].

For recalls, 2013 also has 4, 2012 has 5 and 2015 has 3[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 Lexus IS?

The complaint record is mixed but not alarming, with 64 reports and the largest group being electrical[1][2]. The more serious items are the recalls, especially the two air bag inflator recalls that name the IS 250C and IS 350C[13][14]. Before buying, run the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof that any repairs were done. Pick the engine that fits your budget, since the IS 250 rates 23 to 24 combined MPG and the IS 350 rates 21 to 22[16][20][4][18][19][17].[16][20][4][18][19][17].

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints does the 2014 Lexus IS have?
NHTSA has 64 owner complaints on file, and 14 of them name the electrical system[1][2].
Does the 2014 Lexus IS have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4: fuel pump 20V012, air bag inflators 19V741 and 19V005, and fuel delivery pipe 18V432[12][13][14][15].
What MPG does the 2014 Lexus IS get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 MPG for the IS 350 AWD to 24 MPG for the IS 250 RWD[20][4].
How much horsepower does the 2014 Lexus IS have?
EPA lists 204 hp for the 2.5L engine and 306 hp for the 3.5L engine[21][22].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 64 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Lexus IS (8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus IS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for IS 250, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 9 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 8 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 20V012, filed January 13, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V432, filed June 26, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for IS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for IS 250 C, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for IS 250 AWD, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for IS 350 C, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for IS 350 AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Lexus IS with 2.5L 6-cylinder: rated 204 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Lexus IS with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 306 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 250/350 RWD SEDAN: length 184 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,527 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 250/350 AWD SEDAN: length 184 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,737 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS-C 250/350 2DR CONV RWD: length 183 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,840 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS-F 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,781 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.