2011 Lexus IS 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
5,295 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 30 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
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 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Air Bags: 20; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Steering: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2016: 7; 2017: 13; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10418821 · 2011-08-06 (August 6, 2011)
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM - CAR OCCASIONALLY PULLS TO EITHER SIDE, RIGHT OR LEFT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE LATEST INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED ON 7/29/11, SHOWING THE STEERING WHEEL SPINNING 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON THE GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY IN QUEENS, NEW YORK IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO LEXUS CORPORATE AND BROUGHT TO LEXUS OF QUEENS (NEW YORK CITY) FOR CORRECTION ON 7/19/11. SINCE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 24 miles reported. Look up ODI 10418821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10488632 · 2012-12-12 (December 12, 2012)
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE 3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME PUT ON HIS BRAKES AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKING AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY- MY CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS TO THE FRONT END ($17,000.00) AND THE INSURANCE APPRAISER,BODY SHOP, POLICE OFFICER, TOWING COMPANY WERE STUNNED THAT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DO TO THE SEVERITY OF IMPACT AND DAMAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430021 · 2011-10-13 (October 13, 2011)
DROVE OVER GRAVEL ON ROAD, THEN STEERING COLUMN FROZE UP. WHEN BROUGHT TO LEXUS THEY SAID ALL THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COMPONENTS ARE BROKE. MY INSURANCE CO. SAID PARTS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC, AND WOULD TAKE A MINOR OCCURRENCE TO CAUSE BREAKAGE TO THESE NECESSARY PARTS. INSURANCE CO. SAYS IT SHE BE UNDER WARRANTY (I HAVE LESS THEN 3,000 MILES), BUT LEXUS SAYS NO! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430021 at NHTSA ↗