LEXUS IS 250 · model year

2009 LEXUS IS 250

61 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009LEXUSIS 250 carries 61 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 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 2009 IS 250 is air bags with 20 filings, followed by unknown or other (6) and vehicle speed control (5). 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 6 active recall campaigns, 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 2009 IS 250. 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.

61
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

61 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS20
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
VISIBILITY/WIPER4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
STRUCTURE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (6)

13V03000030/01/2013

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, th

16V34000023/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 20

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4

14V64700015/10/2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to

18V02400009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan),

17V00600009/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,

Recent Complaints

20190706VISIBILITY/WIPER

DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND STICKY. CAUSING A RIDICULOUS GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS. CONTACTED LEXUS DEALERSHIP; THEY STATED THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME I WOULD NEED TO CALL LEXUS THEMSELVES. CALLED LEXUS PROVIDED MY VIN AND OTHER INFORMATION. THEY TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS MYSELF.

Mileage: 60,000

20190402UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTED AND STICKY. CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR GLARE ON THE ROAD.

20190128STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

DASH MATERIAL IS DECOMPOSING, CREATING A LARGE SPOT OF GLARE ONTO WINDSHIELD. LEXUS IS WELL AWARE OF THIS FROM THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, AND IN 2011 UPDATED WARRANTY FOR SOME VEHICLES.HOWEVER THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED AND ARE BEING SUED BUY MANY FOR THIS SAME COMPLAINT. JUST ADDING MY CAR TO LIST I HAVE SEEN THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. THIS MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE INTHE SUNLIGHT!!

Mileage: 98,000

20190128UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH MATERIAL IS DECOMPOSING, CREATING A LARGE SPOT OF GLARE ONTO WINDSHIELD. LEXUS IS WELL AWARE OF THIS FROM THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, AND IN 2011 UPDATED WARRANTY FOR SOME VEHICLES.HOWEVER THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED AND ARE BEING SUED BUY MANY FOR THIS SAME COMPLAINT. JUST ADDING MY CAR TO LIST I HAVE SEEN THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. THIS MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE INTHE SUNLIGHT!!

Mileage: 98,000

20181015ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20181015POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20181015TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20180929VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS HAVE BECOME LOOSE AND FREELY MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. I HAVE TO USE HEAVY DUTY CLOTH TAPE TO PERMANENTLY SECURE THEM IN THE REAR FACING ORIENTATION. I FOUND A YOUTUBE VIDEO WHICH DISCLOSES THE MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE MIRRORS WERE NOT HELD STEADY IN THE REAR FACING ORIENTATION AND THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT SHOULD NOT OCCUR.

Mileage: 55,900

20180622STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PRODUCING A VERY STICKY SUBSTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBSTANCE WAS LIKE GLUE AND COVERED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE GLUE LIKE SUBSTANCE WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM CLOTHING. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO NOTICED ON THE SIDE PANEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE AND STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN PLACED ON A WAITING LIST SINCE 2015; HOWEVER, A RECALL WAS NOT LOCATED FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JM LEXUS (5350 W SAMPLE RD, MARGATE, FL 33073, (954) 972-2200), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20180501UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MELTING DASHBOARD CAUSING A GLARE WHILE DRIVING WHERE YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING PROPERLY.

20180323FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO NORTH SIDE LEXUS (17925 NORTH FWY., HOUSTON, TX 77090). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 16V340000 (AIR BAGS), AND 13V030000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN UMBER: 14V647000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20180323AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO NORTH SIDE LEXUS (17925 NORTH FWY., HOUSTON, TX 77090). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 16V340000 (AIR BAGS), AND 13V030000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN UMBER: 14V647000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20180323VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO NORTH SIDE LEXUS (17925 NORTH FWY., HOUSTON, TX 77090). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 16V340000 (AIR BAGS), AND 13V030000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN UMBER: 14V647000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20171015UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, STICKY AND SHINY, CREATES A MIRROR EFFECT ONTHE ALL WINDSHIELD. IT IS GLARING AND REFLECTING ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES DRIVING NOT SAFE. IT STARTED FEW YEARS BACK AND GETTING WORSE. I CONTACTED HEADQUARTERS LEXUS AND WAS TOLD BY A SUPERVISOR THAT NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM.

Mileage: 30,000

20170909STRUCTURE:BODY

MELTING DASHBOARD RECALL. I HAVE A 2009 LEXUS IS 250 MELTING CHIPPED DASHBOARD AND DOORS. IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DASHBOARD CAUSES A GLARE IN THE WINDOW. ALSO THE SMELL OF MELTING PLASTIC DASH IS SICKENING. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SEWELL REPLACE THE AIRBAGS EVERY SINCE THEN MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY NOT WORKING BLACK SCREEN AND THE BUTTONS ON THE SIDE IS NOT WORKING. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE MY AC IS ON AND I CAN'T TURN OFF BECAUSE OF THE BUTTONS ARE NOT WORKING. VERY FRUSTRATING AND I'M FREEZING.

20170909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MELTING DASHBOARD RECALL. I HAVE A 2009 LEXUS IS 250 MELTING CHIPPED DASHBOARD AND DOORS. IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DASHBOARD CAUSES A GLARE IN THE WINDOW. ALSO THE SMELL OF MELTING PLASTIC DASH IS SICKENING. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SEWELL REPLACE THE AIRBAGS EVERY SINCE THEN MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY NOT WORKING BLACK SCREEN AND THE BUTTONS ON THE SIDE IS NOT WORKING. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE MY AC IS ON AND I CAN'T TURN OFF BECAUSE OF THE BUTTONS ARE NOT WORKING. VERY FRUSTRATING AND I'M FREEZING.

20170909VISIBILITY/WIPER

MELTING DASHBOARD RECALL. I HAVE A 2009 LEXUS IS 250 MELTING CHIPPED DASHBOARD AND DOORS. IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DASHBOARD CAUSES A GLARE IN THE WINDOW. ALSO THE SMELL OF MELTING PLASTIC DASH IS SICKENING. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SEWELL REPLACE THE AIRBAGS EVERY SINCE THEN MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY NOT WORKING BLACK SCREEN AND THE BUTTONS ON THE SIDE IS NOT WORKING. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE MY AC IS ON AND I CAN'T TURN OFF BECAUSE OF THE BUTTONS ARE NOT WORKING. VERY FRUSTRATING AND I'M FREEZING.

20170815CrashAIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALLS" AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!

Mileage: 113,553

20170815CrashSEAT BELTS

"TAKATA RECALLS" AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!

Mileage: 113,553

20170729ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 NIGHT MY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF IN THE PITCH BLACK DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND SINCE I'M A REALTOR WHO PUTS A LOT OF MILES ON HER CAR, I'M UNDERWATER. I'M EITHER GOING TO HAVE A HEAT STROKE DRIVING THAT SAUNA AROUND (THE HEAT IS STUCK ON) OR CRASH WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. MY DAUGHTER IS LEARNING TO DRIVE AND I CANNOT LET HER DRIVE ONCE IT GETS DARK. IT'S OKAY FOR ME TO DIE BUT NOT HER. THERE DOESN'T NEED TO B

Mileage: 145,000

Compare 2009LEXUSIS 250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 LEXUS IS 250 have?
The 2009 LEXUS IS 250 has 61 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 LEXUS IS 250?
Yes, the 2009 LEXUS IS 250 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY/WIPER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 LEXUS IS 250?
The most-complained component for the 2009 LEXUS IS 250 is AIR BAGS with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2009 LEXUS IS 250 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.