2009 Lexus IS 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
57,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 48 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Air Bags: 20; Unknown Or Other: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Structure: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2016: 10; 2017: 14; 2018: 5; 2019: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10326997 · 2010-04-22 (April 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLAY BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5,199.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,199 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330867 · 2010-05-17 (May 17, 2010)
MY 2009 IS250 ACCELERATED FORWARD WHILE STOPPED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WITH BRAKE APPLIED, CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AND STOPPED AGGRESSIVELY. CALLED LEXUS OF WESTMINSTER SERVICE, 7600 WESTMINSTER BOULEVARD, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683, TELEPHONE: [phone removed] AND ARRANGED FOR THE CAR TO BE DROPPED OFF FOR DIAGNOSTICS / REPAIRED. LEXUS OF WESTMINSTER HAD MY CAR FOR ONE WEEK FOR EVALUATION, NOW LEXUS CORPORATE CALLED AND SAID "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE AND PICK IT UP. I REQUESTED FOR LEXUS CORPORATE FIELD TECHNICIAN TO PHYSI…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,328 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10343608 · 2010-07-16 (July 16, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY JERK AND SHAKE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES YET THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A SMALL SURGE FROM 35 TO 45 MPH BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700 AND THE CURRENT …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11011405 · 2017-07-29 (July 29, 2017)
A YEAR OR SO AGO MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. I STOPPED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FROZE AND SAID CHECKING SYSTEM AND SHOWED A DRAWING OF A CAR FRAME AND WHAT I GUESS IS THE HEAT SOURCE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. IT HAD CRACKED AND BOILED OVER AND EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I'VE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, THE BATTERY, AND MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS BLANK AND COMPLETELY DOESN'T WORK. NOR DO THE BUTTONS AROUND IT. THE MOTHERBOARD IS FRIED. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING AT NIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378868 · 2011-01-26 (January 26, 2011)
LEXUS IS 250 SEVERE GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR AND CAUSING CHRONIC CAUGHT TO THE DRIVERTOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEMS LINGERS ON. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10378868 at NHTSA ↗