Model year 2020 · Compact Cars

2020 Lexus IS: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2020 Lexus IS at 21–24 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

0

EPA combined mpg

21–24

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as IS 300.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Lexus dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2020 Lexus IS recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 0 safety recalls for the 2020 Lexus IS, newest first.

No recalls are listed for the 2020 Lexus IS in NHTSA's recall file as of Oct 28, 2026.

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2020 Lexus IS fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2020 Lexus IS EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
IS 3002.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium21/30/24 mpg$3,400363
IS 300 AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium18/24/21 mpg$3,900422
IS 3503.5L 6-cylAutomatic 8-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium20/28/23 mpg$3,550388
IS 350 AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium19/26/21 mpg$3,900422

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2020 Lexus IS crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2020 Lexus IS NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2020 Lexus IS 300 4 DR AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars5 stars9.5%Standard
2020 Lexus IS 300 4 DR RWD5 stars4 stars5 stars5 stars9.5%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2020 Lexus IS owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Lexus IS, most recently on Sep 11, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2020 Lexus IS complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Power train2
Suspension2
Unknown or other2
Air bags1
Steering1
Wheels1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Lexus IS model years

Lexus IS by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 IS22 mpg01—
2025 IS20–25 mpg015/5
2024 IS20–25 mpg015/5
2023 IS20–25 mpg055/5
2022 IS20–25 mpg155/5
2021 IS22–25 mpg035/5
2019 IS21–24 mpg295/5
2018 IS22–26 mpg195/5
2017 IS21–26 mpg2215/5
2016 IS21–26 mpg0155/5
2015 IS21–24 mpg09—

All Lexus IS years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2020 Lexus models

2020 Lexus ES2020 Lexus GS2020 Lexus GX2020 Lexus LC2020 Lexus LS2020 Lexus LX2020 Lexus NX2020 Lexus RC2020 Lexus RX2020 Lexus UX

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Lexus.