A Comprehensive Guide To Maintenance Costs, Reliability, And Average Prices

The Lexus IS 350 represents the affordable and reliable luxury performance vehicle from Lexus. It is Lexus’s take on the sports sedan segment which has been dominated by Mercedes with its C-class and BMW with the 3-Series. This model is a direct competitor to cars like the BMW 335i and Mercedes C350 but with excellent reliability and dependability.

The third generation IS 350 was introduced in 2013 continuing the successful lineage of the iconic Lexus sports car. It features the same powertrain from the previous model but has been updated for the new generation. If you’re in the market for a 2014 Lexus IS 350, we are going to cover what you need to know about this ideal-performance car when it comes to maintenance, running costs, and used market values.

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Maintenance And Repairs

The 2014 Lexus IS 350 features an updated version of the same powertrain used in the previous generation IS 350. This means it is a well-known powertrain with over a decade of production and development. According to Repairpal, the 2014 IS 350 has an annual maintenance cost of $625 which is slightly less than the average vehicle maintenance price of $652. The average repair cost for the IS 350 is between $562 and $687. Just like its lower trim IS 250, repairs are common but for mainly minor issues that are inexpensive.

Most Common 2014 Lexus IS 350 Problems Reported

• Faulty fuel pump
• Faulty power steering
• Grinding brakes
• Slow/faulty windshield wiper

The powertrain in the IS 350 is known to be very robust and reliable with almost no issues as long as it is well maintained. According to the NHTSA report, issues include a faulty fuel pump which can make your car shut off abruptly and partial power steering failure mostly noticed when returning the steering wheel to the center. Your brakes are something you need to watch out for as they can grind due to warped rotors from heavy braking. Finally, there is a minor issue with the windshield wiper not working or just being slow which is annoying and dangerous especially in the rain when it’s needed the most.

Repairs And Pricing Info

Despite being a compact luxury sports sedan, the IS 350 is relatively easy to work on as it is mechanically similar to other Lexus and Toyota models. Parts are shared across other similar models which makes them readily available. While most parts are relatively affordable and available, some parts can be expensive since this is a performance car with luxury features.

Recalls And Safety Investigations

There is a recall on the IS 350 related to the faulty airbags installed in the vehicle. Defective Takata driver and passenger airbags can spray metal fragments when deployed in an accident. This issue affected various cars from many OEMs that use these airbags which have all been recalled. Vehicles made from 2003 to 2017 with this airbag are all affected and the investigation is still open. There is also a recall on the fuel pump which can fail and cause the engine to stall.

Reliability, Running Costs, And Expected Mileage

RepairPal gave the 2014 Lexus IS 350 an above-average rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and ranks it 9th out of 31 compact luxury cars which is great for a performance vehicle. J.D. Power also considers the Lexus IS to be a very reliable vehicle with a score of 83/100. Independent reviews from many owners gave it a 10/10 for reliability and dependability​​​​​​.

Reliability Rating: 9/10

Numerous 2014 Lexus IS250 owners gave the car a stellar reliability score of 4.9 out of 5.0 stars on Cars.com. 100% of owners recommended this vehicle to other buyers.:

With 26 reviews from owners on Cars.com, everyone rated the IS 350 very high in terms of reliability. Even the worst review still gave the car a 4/5 for excellent reliability, his only issue was that the interior wasn’t very luxurious. Owners praised the car for its great handling and ample power but the reliability even with these attributes is the best part. Many owners compared it to the BMW 3-series and the Lexus was much more reliable. One owner said, “Best reliable sports sedan”.

Running Costs: X/10

The running cost of the IS 350 is not as crazy as the other sports sedans in its class. The high-reliability score carries over to the running cost of the vehicle which is quite low.

An owner on Carsurvey gave his IS350 a 10/10 rating for running costs. Everything was flawless with the car and apart from the regular maintenance, nothing had gone wrong. An owner on cars.com said his car has 176,000 miles with no issues but gets 16 MPG. This is mainly because of his heavy right foot but owners can expect 19 MPG with regular driving.

Highest Miles Reported: 238,600 Miles

High mileage can scare a lot of owners from buying a luxury sports car but the Lexus IS 350 does not suffer from this stigma. Previous generations have been known to travel many miles without only minor issues. Many current owners already had the previous version with many trouble-free miles which made it easy for them to upgrade to the new generation. An owner had a 2006 model with 220,000 miles with no issues and upgraded to a 2014 model which now has 176,000 miles on it.

Many current owners have owned the previous gen with high mileage so driving many miles does not scare them since the powertrain is the same reliable unit they know. So far, the highest recorded mileage is 238,600 miles with many cars well over 100,000 miles and still holding their value. Some owners say they would easily make the upgrade when the next generation would come out.

Pricing And Values

Valuation Highlights

The Lexus IS 350 is available with only one engine which is the 3.5 liter V-6 which makes 306 horsepower. It is available only as a four-door sedan with the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic transmission, no manual option is available.

It is also available in F-sport trim which gives it enhanced handling and performance with Adaptive Variable Suspension and steering. The IS 350 is a sports car bargain as it represents great value for money and has similar prices to its lesser IS 250 sibling. Prices range from just above $15,500 for cheap high-mileage versions to $30,000 for clean examples with lower mileage.

What To Look For Before Buying

Although the Lexus IS 350 is a reliable vehicle, it is still advisable to take your time and pick the right car. If you can afford a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) please consider that option to make sure you’re getting the car in the exact condition it is being represented. Most of these cars have been driven long and hard but making sure there is no deferred maintenance is the best way to enjoy the reliability and performance of this vehicle. Here are some things to look out for:

Faulty Fuel Pump

Make sure the fuel pump is functional or has been changed if necessary. There is a recall on the fuel pump which can fail and cause the engine to fail or run lean due to fuel starvation. When this happens continuously, you could risk damage to your engine.

Working Brakes

This is a performance car and some have been reported to have warped brakes due to hard driving and heavy braking. Symptoms include grinding and vibration when braking which can transfer to the steering wheel. This needs to be attended to if noticed for your safety.

Faulty Power Steering

The steering can become partly stiff making it difficult to control the vehicle. Symptoms manifest themselves for a while before finally giving up. This should be inspected since it is a common issue among many cars from this period.

Is It Worth Buying A 2014 Lexus IS 350?

With over 26 reviews from previous owners, 100 percent of them recommended the 2014 Lexus IS 350 mainly for its quality and reliability. It has similar performance to a BMW 3-series or Mercedes C-class but with excellent reliability compared to those cars. The IS 350 is a sports sedan with good handling, comfortable suspension, and nice interior features.

It has sporty looks, great build quality, good features, and stellar reliability. You can’t go wrong if you want an IS 350 for daily driving as this Lexus is as dependable as any of its Toyota siblings. They also hold their values quite well which means you won’t lose a lot when you decide to sell it.