Last updated: 2026-03-04
Lexus IS vs Toyota Crown: Reliability Compared
Lexus IS
Toyota Crown
Choosing between the Lexus IS and the Toyota Crown? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Crown currently leads with an average score of 84/100 compared to 82/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Toyota Crown is more reliable than the Lexus IS, scoring 84/100 vs 82/100.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Crown has 6 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Crown scores 2 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota Crown has 0.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Lexus IS vs Toyota Crown: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lexus IS | Toyota Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 82/100 | 84/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 0 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 0.7 | 0 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus IS and Toyota Crown?
| Component | Lexus IS | Toyota Crown |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Lexus IS vs Toyota Crown Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lexus IS | Toyota Crown | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83/1000R / 1C | 84/1000R / 0C | Toyota Crown |
| 2024 | 83/1000R / 3C | 84/1000R / 0C | Toyota Crown |
| 2023 | 83/1000R / 9C | 84/1000R / 0C | Toyota Crown |
| 2026(predicted) | 83/100(predicted) | 84/100(predicted) | Toyota Crown |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Lexus IS scored 83/100 and the 2025 Toyota Crown scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Lexus IS vs Toyota Crown: Common Questions
- Is the Lexus IS more reliable than the Toyota Crown?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Crown is more reliable with an average score of 84/100 compared to 82/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Lexus IS or the Toyota Crown?
- The Lexus IS has more recalls (6) compared to the Toyota Crown (0). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Lexus IS or the Toyota Crown?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Crown has a lower complaint rate at 0 per 10,000 sold versus 0.7 for the Lexus IS. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Lexus IS comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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