CarBrief

The 2026 Lexus IS has very little on file with NHTSA, with 1 owner complaint and no recalls[1][2]. Both versions we have data for get the same EPA combined MPG[3][4].

1owner complaints[1]
22MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 1 owner complaint for the 2026 IS[1]. It mentions no crash, fire, injury or death[1].

The complaint is filed under the speed control group[5]. The owner describes a digital tachometer that reacts late, which makes it harder to keep an eye on engine speed while accelerating[5].

One unverified report does not show a pattern. Treat it as a single owner's experience, not a known fault.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2026 model year[2].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates two versions. Both use a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and premium fuel, and both have an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750[3][4]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions.

Version City Highway Combined
IS 350, rear-wheel drive, Automatic (S8)[3] 19 27 22
IS 350 AWD, all-wheel drive, Automatic (S6)[4] 19 26 22

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates both the four-door rear-wheel drive and the four-door all-wheel drive versions the same[6][7]. Each gets 5 stars for side protection and 5 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 9.5%[6][7]. Our data does not include a frontal crash or overall rating.

Engine and size

The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated 232 hp on the EPA test car list[8].

The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications[9] for the four-door sedan AWD version, converted to US units. US cars can differ slightly.

Measurement Value
Length[9] 186 in
Width[9] 72 in
Height[9] 56 in
Wheelbase[9] 110 in
Curb weight[9] 3,913 lb

How 2026 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 recalls2015: 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 recalls12026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each IS model year. The 2026 is highlighted[2].
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

NHTSA shows 1 complaint and 0 recalls for 2026[1][2]. The 2024 and 2025 model years show the same, 1 complaint and 0 recalls each[2]. Several older years sit much higher, for example 2006 with 426 complaints and 16 recalls[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so compare only years of the same model. A count this low says little either way.

Should you buy a 2026 Lexus IS?

The record on file is clean so far, with 1 complaint and 0 recalls[1][2]. The side and rollover ratings are strong at 5 stars each[6][7]. Fuel use is 22 combined MPG on premium fuel[3][4]. One complaint is too few to say how the car holds up over time.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2026 Lexus IS have?
NHTSA has 1 owner complaint on file, filed under speed control, about a digital tachometer that reacts late[1][5].
Are there recalls on the 2026 Lexus IS?
NHTSA shows 0 recalls for the 2026 model year[2].
What MPG does the 2026 Lexus IS get?
The EPA rates the rear-wheel drive IS 350 at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined MPG[3]. The AWD version gets 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined[4].
How safe is the 2026 Lexus IS?
NHTSA gives 5 stars for side and 5 stars for rollover on both versions[6][7].
How much horsepower does the 2026 Lexus IS have?
The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated 232 hp[8].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Lexus IS (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus IS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for IS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for IS 350 AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 1 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Lexus IS with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 232 hp. www.epa.gov
  9. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 350 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 186 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,913 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.