VehicleVerdict

2014 Lexus Is F problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Lexus Is F carries two red flags at once: 3 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 1.5× the Is F norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). It is one of the Is F years to avoid.

3

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2014 compare to other Is F years?

Is F NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted15 complaints2008: 15 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 3 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 1 complaints
Is F NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Is F years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Lexus Is F problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine133%
Fuel System133%
Other133%

Does the 2014 Lexus Is F have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V012000Fuel SystemJanuary 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

19V005000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA21002

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TURNING BUT NEVER STARTED. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STARTED AND THEN COMPLETELY WENT OUT EVERY TIME. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. I GOT 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY STILL WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT BACK WORKING AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 3, 2020

“I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TURNING BUT NEVER STARTED. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STARTED AND THEN COMPLETELY WENT OUT EVERY TIME. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. I GOT 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY STILL WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT BACK WORKING AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 3, 2020

“I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TURNING BUT NEVER STARTED. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT STARTED AND THEN COMPLETELY WENT OUT EVERY TIME. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. I GOT 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY STILL WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT BACK WORKING AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 3, 2020

2014 Lexus Is F — common questions

Is the 2014 Lexus Is F reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 3 complaints put the 2014 model at #2 of 9 Is F years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Is F years to avoid.

Does the 2014 Lexus Is F have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Lexus Is F. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Lexus Is F under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Lexus Is F years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Is F years to avoid are 2008, 2014, 2010, 2011, 2009, 2012, 2013. The cleanest record among Is F years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.