Lexus IS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
591 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
77,095 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 296 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 114 of 591 complaints (19.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 55 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 31 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 20 | 3.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 114 |
| Air Bags | 113 |
| Structure | 92 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 79 |
| Engine | 71 |
| Structure:Body | 49 |
| Electrical System | 39 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 35 |
Unknown Or Other: 114; Air Bags: 113; Structure: 92; Visibility/Wiper: 79; Engine: 71; Structure:Body: 49; Electrical System: 39; Fuel/Propulsion System: 35
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 46 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 67 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 46 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 81 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 46; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 67; 75,000 to 99,999: 46; 100,000 to 149,999: 81; 150,000 and above: 23
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (81). 295 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 113 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2016 | 48 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 71 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 31 |
2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 8; 2008: 3; 2009: 7; 2010: 12; 2011: 1; 2012: 13; 2013: 11; 2014: 113; 2015: 34; 2016: 48; 2017: 38; 2018: 14; 2019: 39; 2020: 71; 2021: 35; 2022: 24; 2023: 24; 2024: 33; 2025: 28; 2026: 31
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 31 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 10189197 · 2007-04-29 (April 29, 2007)
VEHICLE STALLS, BUCKS AND SWAYS ONTO OTHER DRIVERS NOT AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE SWAYS LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS MISSING A SPARE TIRE AND JACK, I ASKED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND WAS DENIED. ALSO, MISSING WEATHER STRIPS ON ALL 4 DOORS THE WIND ENTERS THE CAR AND ONE DAY IT IS GOING TO SWING IT DIRECTLY OFF THE ROAD . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066838 · 2018-02-03 (February 3, 2018)
CAR RUNS GREAT UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY VSC AND THEN BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THOSE LIGHTS COME ON IT RUNS ROUGH AND BRAKES MAKE GEAR NOISE UNDER DRIVER'S SIDE HOOD AREA. BRAKE IS VERY SLUGGISH AND ALMOST NON EXISTENT WHEN IT FAILS. LET IT SET, CLEAR FAULT AND RUNS FINE UNTIL WARM AGAIN. HAVE HAD ALL BRAKES CHECKED AND IN GOOD CONDITION BY MECHANIC TODAY AND PROBLEM PERSISTS. APPEARS TO BE AN ECU OR OTHER ELECTRICAL AND NOT MECHANICAL PROBLEM. IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MANUFACTURER.
Owner-reported narrative. 203,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10582852 · 2014-04-15 (April 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE IN THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS. THE AIR BAG HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 06/05/2014*LJ UPDATED 06/09/2014 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 47,378 miles reported. Look up ODI 10582852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10680937 · 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED BY A COUPLE OF ISSUES LEXUS REFUSES TO FIX. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 84K ON THE ODOMETER AND LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARISE. THE STEERING IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. DRIVING ANYTHING OVER 50 MPH THE STEERING STARTS TO BECOME NOTCHY AT THE CENTER AND AT TIMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE STEERING WHEEL WHINES AS I TURN ALMOST AS IF SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO BREAK. LEXUS QUOTED ME $3000 TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I WOULD LOVE TO REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10854914 · 2016-04-11 (April 11, 2016)
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LOCKED UP OUT OF THE BLUE WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS. ALMOST SEEMED AS IF STEERING WAS FIGHTING TO TURN THE DIRECTION OPPOSITE OF THE DIRECTION I WAS TURNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10854914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650852 · 2014-10-28 (October 28, 2014)
MY VEHICLE STALLED AT A RED LIGHT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY CAME BACK WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF MASSIVE CARBON BUILD UP. THEY ADVISED THAT I REACH OUT TO LEXUS CORPORATE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS ANY SUPPORT I COULD RECEIVE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH, LEXUS CORPORATE REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CAR COULD NOT PRODUCE ANY OF THE NECESSARY TROUBLE CODES TO QUALIFY FOR THEIR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE. AFTER MUCH HESITATION, I AGREED TO PAY $700 TO HAVE THE TOP CL…
Owner-reported narrative. 129,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182080 · 2007-02-09 (February 9, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2001 LEXUS IS300 THAT WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE GOT JAMMED INTO A POLE CAUSING IT TO DAMAGE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED VEHICLE TO MOVE IT OFF OF THE STREET, THE CONTACT NOTICED RED FLUID COMING OUT THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS, SOMETHING THAT PENETRATED A RADIATOR HOSE. THE HARNESS BALANCE BROKE AND APPARENTLY FLEW INTO THE HOSE. THE TRANSMISSION LINE SNAP AND A PULLEY FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRACKED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438814 · 2021-10-31 (October 31, 2021)
As I prepared to make a right turn onto a busy street, I suddenly could not brake normally. Instead, I was unable to press the brake down as a balloon like feeling pushed it back up, but it also did not return all the way up to its normal position. The result was I was moving with no way to slow down the car. Fortunately, I was not moving at a high speed and immediately shifted into park. I was fortunate this did not occur while I was at full speed. The brake lights did turn on at the time of the issue. An independent mechanic suspects a brak…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081143 · 2018-03-23 (March 23, 2018)
FUEL FUMES NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. MECHANIC CONFIRMS FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL RAIL NEAR PRESSURE SENSOR. MECHANIC WARNED OF FIRE CONCERN WITH ACTIVE FUEL LEAK. RECALL ELF PERFORMED ON VEHICLE IN 2015 THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED LEAK BUT NOW FUEL LEAK IS PRESENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 158,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11354201 · 2020-09-10 (September 10, 2020)
VEHICLE JUST TURNED OVER 100,000 MILES. 6-2020 UPON A MORNING START, THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING UP ALMOST AS IF IT HAD FUEL STARVATION. I CRANKED THE VEHICLE UP A FEW MORE TIMES IT WAS OK IT TURNED ON. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAD EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE ACCELERATION , VERY HAD SPUTTERING FROM AND TO STOP LIGHTS THIS WAS FROM MY COMMUTE TO WORK. THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME UNPREDICTABLE, SOME DAYS IT WOULD ACT LIKE THAT SOME DAYS IT WOULDN'T. THIS STARTED TO BOTHER ME AS I RARELY WORRY ABOUT SITUATIONS UNLESS THEY'RE DANGEROUS. LATE 6-2020 ON MY …
Owner-reported narrative. 101,161 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354201 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 0; 2012: 0; 2013: 0; 2014: 0; 2015: 0; 2016: 0; 2017: 0; 2018: 0; 2019: 0; 2020: 0; 2021: 0; 2022: 1; 2023: 0; 2024: 0; 2025: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 2002 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 143 | 7 | +7 |
| 2007 | 122 | 3 | -4 |
| 2008 | 102 | 3 | 0 |
| 2009 | 40 | 2 | -1 |
| 2010 | 40 | 1 | -1 |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | -1 |
| 2012 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 1 | +1 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | -1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 |