Total Complaints
13 filings
LEXUS IS · model year
2005 LEXUS IS
13 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005LEXUSIS carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 IS is structure with 5 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (1) and power train:clutch assembly (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2005 IS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
13
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
Recalls (1)
09E01200007/04/2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Recent Complaints
20211031SERVICE BRAKES
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 brake booster failure. Just a month before, another mechanic performed routine maintenance and found no signs of this issue. Just 6 months before, I purchased the vehicle used with no mention of this sort of past issue.
20150708STRUCTURE
THIS LEXUS HAS THE STICKY, MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE COMMON IN MANY LEXUS VEHICLES LOCATED IN SOUTHERN STATES.
Mileage: 100,000
20140730STRUCTURE
ONE DAY I JUST GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER CLEANING IT AND THE DASH WAS VERY STICKY, I THOUGHT SOMEONE SPLIT SOMETHING IN MY CAR SO I WIPED IT DOWN BUT IT DID NOTHING. *TR
20140728STRUCTURE
MELTING DASHBOARD. *JS
20140717STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2005 IS300 THAT IS HAVING A MELTING DASHBOARD AND PANEL ISSUE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE LEXUS FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. THE MELTING DASHBOARD AND PANEL ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE HOT SUN. LEXUS HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND ALSO REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRING/REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
20140517VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SEVERE RUSTING OF THE SUNROOF. *JS
Mileage: 140,000
20120401VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT , MY FOOT NOT ON THE GAS , THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD TO SLAM MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WITH THE HELP OF THE PARKING SPOT STOPPER THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO OVER THE STOPPER. *TR
Mileage: 47,000
20120401ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT , MY FOOT NOT ON THE GAS , THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD TO SLAM MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WITH THE HELP OF THE PARKING SPOT STOPPER THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO OVER THE STOPPER. *TR
Mileage: 47,000
20111201STRUCTURE
ON THE DASHBOARD, THE SQUARE OF MATERIAL WHERE THE SRS AIR BAG IS, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, KEEPS MELTING WHEN IT'S EXPOSED TO HEAT. THE AIRBAG DECOMPOSES OVER TIME DUE TO AN ERROR IN DESIGN/MANUFACTURING, AND THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION DUE TO OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE AIR BAG AS THIS CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE OVERTIME. THIS SITUATION MAY AFFECT THE QUALITY AND STRENGTH OF THE AIR BAG. . AFTER RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN LEXUS VEHICLES AS FAR BACK AS 2002.
20081101CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN LEXUS IS300, YEAR 2005. MILEAGE APPROX 10,000 ONLY. FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER STICKS IN PARK AND REQUIRES THAT I PRESS THE SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES. ON THE LAST OCCASION, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SELECTOR LEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING, THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND RESULTED IN A MOST SERIOUS SERIES OF COLLISIONS, FIRST INTO A PARKED CAR THEN AFTER MOUNTING THE SIDEWALK IT SMASHED INTO TWO HOUSES. I SUSTAINED A WRIST FRACTURE AND BRUISES. ALL THIS HAPPENED IN THE SPACE OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS. *TR
Mileage: 10,100
20070204SUSPENSION
THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT FASTER ON THE INSIDE (CAMBER) THAN THE REST OF THE TIRE. THE DEALER LEXUS (IS300) SAID THAT'S THE WAY THE MANUFACTURER MADE IT .I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *NM
Mileage: 13,000
20051129POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
LEXUS IS300, 2005 5 SPEED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW ON JUNE 2005. AFTER 2900 MILES THE CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LEXUS. THEY CLAIM THAT I DRIVE WITH THE FOOT ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL (WHICH I DON'T). I HAVE DRIVEN STICK SHIFT SINCE I WAS IN COLLEGE OVER 30 YEARS AGO. *JB
Mileage: 2,900
20050318CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LEXUS IS300 2005 BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *BF WHEN THE CONSUME ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. *JB
Compare 2005LEXUSIS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 LEXUS IS have?▼
The 2005 LEXUS IS has 13 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 LEXUS IS?▼
Yes, the 2005 LEXUS IS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 LEXUS IS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 LEXUS IS is STRUCTURE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2005 LEXUS IS safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.