Photo: A. Bailey / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2016 Lexus IS: common problems and reliability
One of the better IS years.
18 owner complaints, most about service brakes. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 IS?The 2016 Lexus IS has 18 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Lexus IS vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other IS years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the IS?
Across the 27 IS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (1999) to 426 (2006). With 18 complaints, the 2016 IS sits below the model's median of 32.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment heavily dependent on generation and powertrain. The IS is widely recognized for its strong long-term reliability, comfortable ride, and luxury feel, particularly when compared to German competitors.
Owner insights cover all generations of the IS. See the full IS owner picture and every model year.
Other IS model years
Compare every IS year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the IS against its rivals
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