Lexus IS 250 vs Mazda RX-8
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Lexus IS 250
- Total complaints
- 680
- Avg per model year
- 72
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 8
- Most complained year
- 2007 (213)
Top problems: Air Bags, Structure, Unknown / Other
Mazda RX-8
- Total complaints
- 749
- Avg per model year
- 98
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 14
- Most complained year
- 2004 (489)
Top problems: Power Train, Engine and Engine Cooling, Steering
Complaints by model year
| Year | Lexus IS 250 | Mazda RX-8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 30 | 4 | ||
| 2010 | 40 | 5 | ||
| 2009 | 48 | 8 | ||
| 2008 | 125 | 17 | ||
| 2007 | 213 | 38 | ||
| 2006 | 189 | 60 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.