2021 Lexus IS
The 2021 Lexus IS is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the IS 300, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 3 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 300 | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,100 |
| IS 350 | Gas | RWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 |
| IS 300 AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,500 |
| IS 350 AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,500 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43346, 43344, 43343, 43345.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2021 Lexus IS is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (0)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseNo NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2021 Lexus IS. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2025: 1
Most-cited components
What owners describe
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.
Other IS model years
2026 Lexus IS
0 recalls · 0 complaints
A2025 Lexus IS
0 recalls · 1 complaints
A2024 Lexus IS
0 recalls · 1 complaints
A2023 Lexus IS
0 recalls · 5 complaints
A2022 Lexus IS
1 recalls · 5 complaints
A2020 Lexus IS
0 recalls · 7 complaints
B2019 Lexus IS
2 recalls · 10 complaints
A2018 Lexus IS
1 recalls · 9 complaints
B2017 Lexus IS
2 recalls · 19 complaints
A2016 Lexus IS
0 recalls · 16 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.