Lexus · IS · 2009
2
Recalls
40
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Lexus IS has 2 recalls and 40 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: unknown or other (9 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Remedy Status
TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety concern with my Lexus IS 250. The dashboard in my vehicle is melting and has become extremely sticky, shiny, and reflective. As the material deteriorates, it creates significant glare on the windshield when sunlight hits the dashboard. This glare interferes with my visibility while driving and creates a potentially dangerous situation for myself, my family, and other drivers on the road. This issue is not merely cosmetic. The deteriorating dashboard material directly affects safe vehicle operation by impairing the driver’s ability to clearly see through the windshield, especially during daylight conditions when sunlight reflects off the dashboard surface. In addition, the dashboard material appears to be chemically breaking down. The surface remains sticky and continues to degrade over time, raising concerns about possible chemical exposure inside the vehicle cabin for my family I contacted my local dealership and also reached out to **Lexus corporate customer service. I was informed that Lexus previously had a Customer Support Program addressing melting dashboards, but the program expired in September 2021. I was told notification letters were sent in March 2019, but I never received one. Had I received the notice, I would have addressed the issue because it directly affects driving safety. They said there was nothing else they can do. Given the ongoing safety risk, I respectfully request that the **National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this defect and determine whether further investigation or action is warranted. Thank you for your time
Odometer Fraud. The contact intended to purchase a 2009 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated while test-driving the vehicle, the contact drove to an Auto part store for diagnostic testing. It was then discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was not a sale. At the time the vehicle was test-driven, the vehicle mileage was 114,274, but it was discovered at the Auto parts store that the actual mileage was 198,000.
The dashboard is melting leather, as well as the inside door panels on all four doors that are leather. It burns my wife’s skin and my kids while leaving sticky black residue on our skins. It is melting so bad there are chunks missing from the leather from a simple rub.
URGENT: MY DASH HAS MELTED ON MY-2009 LEXUS IS 350-CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE, MY 2009 LEXUS IS 350. IT IS GETTING TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE MELTING DASH BLOCKS VIEW OF ROAD DUE TO SHINING REFLECTION OF MELTING DASH IS ALL YOU CAN SEE IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR TO DRIVE. THIS IS GOING TO GET ME INTO AN ACCIDENT. YOU CANT SEE A CAR IF ITS MORE THAN 10FT IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE THE SHINY-MELTING-STICKY DASH ((REFLECTS ONTO MY WINDSHIELD; OF THE 2009 LEXUS IS 350-JTHBE262392017342 AND MAKES IT TOO DANGEROUS TO SEE TO DRIVE & IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING WHEN DRIVING ALL I CAN SEE IS (((A REFLECTION IN WINDSHIELD ONLY) OF MY : SHINY MELTING DASH -2009 LEXUS IS 350-I CANNOT DRIVE THIS LEXUS. NEEDS REPLACED ASAP BEFORE AN ACCIDENT. NO, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS CAR MELTING DASH. THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHER TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS HAVING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP!! ATTACHED PICTURE ONLY SHOWS THE CIRCLE AREA WHERE MY PHONE IS FOCUSING BUT THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE THIS AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE DASH. THE PICTURE IS ALSO MUCH LESS REFLECTION THAN IN PERSON BECAUSE THE CAMERA IS TRYING TO BYPASS THE GLASS.
The headlamps on my car are and have been for quite awhile been hazy with the light unable to meet the safety standards the car is advertising. WIthout proper headlight I am not able to safely see the road ahead of me. There is no replacement or new headlamp avallable.
I have a Lexus IS250, the dashboard is sticky and shiny. When I am driving the car in the sunny days, because of the shiny dashboard , if reflects the sunshine to my windshield, which makes me very hard to see the road because of this. As the result, if the sunshine is too strong some times, I have to hit my brake to slowdown on the highway, to make sure I get a clear view again. This is definitely put myself and other cars around me in a huge risk. Looks this is a common issue for some Lexus models, Lexus had a program to fix the issue, but the program does not notify the owner and the program expired already! Means thousands of people are driving cars with the issue, but never get repaired, which brings potential risks on the highway!
AT APPROXIMATELY 85K TOTAL MILES, IS250 AUTOMATIC BEGAN DROPPING FROM 5-6K RPM TO 2-3K RPM WHENEVER CHANGING ROAD GRADE TO AN INCLINE OR DECLINE, USUALLY ABOVE 50 MPH, DROPPING TO 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. TO MAINTAIN PROPER SPEED, I WOULD HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT FROM D TO S AND FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR. TRACTION CONTROL, PARKING BRAKE, AND ABS LIGHTS WOULD SOMETIMES COINCIDE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL I SOLD THE IS250 AT 88K MILES.
DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR: MY SRS / AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF, INDICATING THAT THE SRS SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED BY A LEXUS DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 12/4/2020. JOHNSON LEXUS ADVISED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE SEAT FOR $2769.31. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO ANY UNUSUAL OR HARSH USE. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AMONG LEXUS IS MODELS AND SOME OTHER LEXUS AND TOYOTA MODELS OF THIS GENERATION. MANY LEXUS DRIVERS REPORT GREAT DIFFICULTY REGARDING THIS DEFECT AND THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS THAT DEALERSHIPS ARE DEMANDING TO FIX THE DEFECT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE NHTSA DATABASE. I AM VERY SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A MANDATORY RECALL OR A LEXUS PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THIS COMMON SENSOR FAILURE AFFECTING A CRITICAL, NONOPTIONAL SAFETY FEATURE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA OF NORTH AMERICA AND RECEIVED A POLITE CALL FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE STATING THAT THE COMPANY WAS SORRY BUT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. LEXUS IS USUALLY EXCELLENT WITH ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE, SO I AM VERY SURPRISED AT THE LACK OF CONCERN HERE. I HOPE IT DOES NOT REQUIRE DEATHS FROM AIR BAGS FAILING TO DEPLOY FOR LEXUS TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT.
I DON'T HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO SWITCH GEAR LIKE TO PUT IT FROM PARKED TO DRIVE
VEHICLE DOOR PANELS AND DASHBOARD ARE MELTING AND CHUNKS COME OF WHEN YOU GRAZE THE PANELS ON A HOT DAY EVEN WHEN PUTTING WINDSHIELD HEAT PROTECTORS MATERIAL COMES OFF
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING A STICKY, VISCOUS FILM THAT NOT ONLY SMELLS BAD BUT IS CAUSING A SEVERE BLINDING GLARE WHILE I AM DRIVING . IT CANNOT BE REMOVED OR REMEDIED AND IT GETTING WORSE CAUSING MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE
Dashboard and door panel are melting. The melting on the dashboard cause a shinny reflection that prevent visibility.
THE INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING AND THE SCREEN IS COMPLETELY BLACK AND UNRESPONSIVE. THIS SYSTEM CONTROLS NOT JUST THE MAPS AND RADIO WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT CRITICAL, BUT THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE HEAT AND THE DEFROSTER. SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING A RECENT RAIN STORM, I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY WINDOWS CLEAR AS THEIR IS NO OTHER WAY TO USE THE DEFROSTER EXCEPT THROUGH THIS TOUCHSCREEN INTERFACE THAT HAS TOPPED WORKING. I RECENTLY WENT ON THE LEXUS OWNERS CLUB FORUM AND FOUND COUNTLESS PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE SEE THAT ATTACHED PICTURE THAT DEMONSTRATES WHAT I'M REFERRING TO. THANK-YOU. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, AND THE BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE EFFECTIVELY. THE BRAKE IS ALWAYS PRESSED DOWN AS FAR AS IT GOES WITHOUT AVAIL. THERE IS NO PRECURSOR AS TO WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. IN TOTAL, THE ENGINE LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT 6 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I NEARLY HIT A VEHICLE WITH MY MINOR DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. THE NEXT FEW TIMES WERE NOT AS SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF EMINENT DAMAGE. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS WORSE. IT HAPPENED IN JULY OF 2019 IN A DRUG STORE PARKING LOT. I WAS PARKING IN A STALL AND THE VEHICLE SPED UP, SQUEALED THE TIRES, JUMPED THE CEMENT PARKING BLOCK, HIT SOME BUSHES, AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. ON THIS OCCASION THERE WAS DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THERE ARE DENTS AND SCRATCHES FROM THE BUSHES, A TIRE SENSOR OR TWO IS NOT FUNCTIONAL ANYMORE, AND THE UNDERBODY WAS DAMAGED. I WAS THOROUGHLY SCARED AND AFRAID WAS CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO DO THIS AND I COULD HURT SOMEONE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ONLY BY PUTTING IT IN PARK. THE BRAKE WAS RENDERED USELESS. IT HAPPENED TWICE ON THE SAME DAY IN JANUARY OF 2020. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND IT LUNGED. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT DOWN. I PROCEEDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. ONCE AGAIN IT LUNGED FORWARD AT A CONCRETE PARKING STOP. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. ALL INCIDENTS WERE IN A CITY DRIVING SHOWILY. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON IT WHENI FIRST NOTICED THE SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES.
IT HAS A FEW PROBLEMS IT ACCELERATES AT TIMES IT HAS AIRBAG RECALL AND UNSTABLE TO DRIVE AT TIMES BRAKES LOCK UP OR TOUCHY WHEN PUSHED. JUST PURCHASED RECENTLY FROM DEALER ALSO WAS STOLEN TWICE BEFORE
I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM EMPIRE AUTO SALES NOW KNOWN AS CAR QUEENS. I APPLIED FOR TAGS FOR THIS CAR OVER A YEAR AGO. NOW MY REGISTRATION IS EXPIRED AND I'M NOW FINDING OUT THAT I BOUT A SALVAGE CAR THAT HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT THROUGH A INSURANCE COMPANY. WHICH IS FINE BUT THE DEALER FAILED TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES TO GET A REBUILT TITLE. I AM NOW TOLD THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE THIS CAR! THE DEALER REFUSES TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I'M NOT SURE IF I'M IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO ASK FOR HELP BUT IF NOT CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHO TO TALK TOO! I JUST WANT MY FAMILY TO BE SAFE ON THE HIGHWAYS. I CALLED JACKSON MS CAR TITLE AND REGISTRATION AND THEY AGREED THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TITLE FOR THIS CAR! ALSO I WAS TOLD BY AN EMPLOYEE OF CAR QUEENS THAT THE OWNER IS SELLING CARS WITHOUT PROPERLY CLEARING THE TITLES OR HAVING THE SALVAGE VEHICLE PROPERLY INSPECTED. THIS INCIDENT STARTED JANUARY 2019 AND STILL TO THIS DAY!
MY DASHBOARD HAS THAT TACKY GLOSSY SUBSTANCE ON IT AND CAUSES ISSUES WITH MY VISIBILITY. I HAVE TRIED TO REMOVE IT AND DULL IT SO THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO SEE, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SUCCESS.
MELTING DASHBOARD.
WHILE DRIVING ON A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY ON 12/23/2016, I HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. I IMMEDIATELY CLOSED THE HATCH TO PREVENT GLASS FROM COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE, I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS WAS PUSHED UP - INDICATING THAT IT HAD EXPLODED OUTWARD NOT INWARD (AS IN SOMETHING FALLING ON IT). *TR
LEXUS (TOYOTA) IS NOT DO ANYTHING TO ENSURE RIDER SAFETY OF A CAR THEY SOLD. THEY ARE ASSUMING THE AIRBAG, WHEN DEPLOYED, ONLY HURST THE FRONT PASSENGER. SINCE I CARPOOL AND USE MY CAR AT WORK, I MIGHT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO RENT A CAR UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. I AM STUCK SINCE THE VALUE OF THE CAR IS COMPROMISED AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD WANT TO BUY IT.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Lexus IS has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 40 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Lexus IS.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Lexus IS.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Lexus IS are unknown or other (9 reports), vehicle speed control (7 reports), visibility/wiper (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2009 Lexus IS. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.