2009 Lexus Is 250 problems

Overview of popular issues
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

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Common 2009 Lexus Is 250 problems

Based on the information from the sources provided, here are the common problems with the Lexus IS 250 2009 model based on complaints from owners:

Short Rattle from Engine on Startup (VVT-System):
- This issue can cause a short rattle noise from the engine during startup, particularly related to the VVT-system. It is less common with the 2.5L and 3.0L gasoline versions. Using quality synthetic oil and flushing the engine before changing can help minimize this problem. If the noise persists during idle running, it might indicate potential engine damage.
Carbon Buildup:
- Carbon buildup is a common issue that can lead to misfires and engine damage if not addressed promptly. This problem is more prevalent in direct-injected engines like the Lexus IS 250. Regular maintenance and using appropriate fuel can help mitigate this issue.
Leaking/Defective Water Pump:
- Water pump leaks or defects are common problems across all IS models, including the IS 250. It is crucial to check the water pump regularly to prevent overheating and potential engine damage.
Oil Consumption/Oil Burning:
- Some Lexus IS 250 owners have reported issues with oil consumption or burning. Using high-quality synthetic oil and monitoring oil levels regularly can help manage this problem and prevent engine damage.
Spark Plugs Replacement:
- The 2.5L and 3.0L gasoline engines in the Lexus IS 250 may require more frequent spark plug replacements compared to other vehicles. Ensuring timely replacement of spark plugs is essential for optimal engine performance.
Defective Engine Coolant Circulation System:
- In the 2.2L diesel engine variant of the Lexus IS 250, there have been reports of issues with the engine coolant circulation system. This problem can lead to overheating and engine shutdown at high speeds. It's important to address this issue promptly, especially considering it is covered under a Lexus recall until 2023.
Cracked Head Gaskets:
- Another critical problem reported in the 2.2L diesel engine version is cracked head gaskets. If left untreated, this issue can lead to severe engine damage. Immediate attention and repair are necessary to prevent further complications.

These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance, using quality components, and addressing issues promptly to ensure the longevity and performance of the Lexus IS 250 2009 model.

What are the most common problems with a Lexus IS 250?

Common Problems With The Lexus IS 250

Dashboard Melting. ...
Door Panels Melting. ...
Infotainment Not Working. ...
Inside Rear-View Mirror Discoloring. ...
Intermittent Power Steering. ...
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How long will a 2009 IS250 last?

Mileage Expectancy: The Lexus IS 250 is known to last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. Some owners have even reported pushing their cars to 300,000 miles or more. That's a testament to Lexus' build quality and durability.

Is the Lexus IS 250 a reliable car?

The Lexus IS250 Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 7th out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $487 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. While repairs are more common, these issues are less likely to be severe than with other cars.

Are Lexus IS 250 expensive to repair?

Lexus IS250 Repair and Maintenance Costs

The cost of a Lexus IS250 service is at least $86.64 and at most $1102.75, with an average of $461.58.

2009 Lexus Is 250 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2009 Lexus Is 250.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2009 Lexus Is 250 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 2009 Lexus Is 250.

2019-10-17

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

2018-01-09

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

2017-01-09

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

2016-05-23

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

2014-10-15

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: 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 September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

2013-01-30

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Summary: 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, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
Consequence: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Negative 2009 Lexus Is 250 car reviews

Dennis Mante 2024-11-16

The dashboard material could be improved as some owners have reported cracks due to extreme weather conditions. Additionally, the 2.5 6 cylinder engine could benefit from better fuel efficiency. Leg room in the rear seats area could also be more spacious. It's worth noting that some customers have reported poor experiences with customer service.
Florencio Dach 2024-11-15

I have owned three Lexus cars. My first one was a 2003 is300 and I absolutely loved it. However, I don't feel the same way about my current car. I have had several issues with it, including the airbag harness which cost me $2500 due to an airbag light, and the rear passenger axle which cost me $1000. Additionally, my exhaust has a leak which makes it loud, the door trim is coming off, and the window makes a loud noise and is slow when you roll it down. I have decided not to buy any more IS's unless it's the 300 again. Although I like the way the interior looks, it's not very comfortable for me as I'm 6ft tall. I have to push the seat all the way back and all the way down to get comfortable, and there's no headroom. I eventually sold my Lexus because it was burning 2 quarts of oil a month, which was disappointing. However, it never broke down on me. This is250 was definitely not like my is300 or my es330.
Ayden Davis 2024-10-11

Although the car has a sporty exterior and a willing chassis, it falls short of being a sports sedan due to its whimpy engine, unresponsive throttle, and transmission programmed by someone from the Prius team. However, it does deliver excellent gas mileage for a V6 and handles well thanks to the firm suspension, summer tires, and RWD. The steering is quick but numb. The interior uses top-notch materials, and the quality of assembly is very high both inside and out. While it is reliable, it may not be completely trouble-free, and you should expect to pay a premium for service at the dealer. However, their technicians are no better than those at typical Honda or Toyota dealerships.
Jamal O'Hara 2024-09-18

Although I am looking forward to the end of my lease, I must say that my experience with this car has been less than satisfactory. The visibility is quite poor, particularly when reversing, and the low profile tires have proven to be quite expensive, with over $1500 spent on replacements despite the car having less than 15,000 miles. Additionally, the ride quality leaves much to be desired, with every bump on the road being felt. Overall, there is certainly room for improvement in these areas.
Willard Farrell 2024-08-29

I've been driving this car for almost 2 years now and it's been a very comfortable ride, especially for a small car. Although the front wheels tend to collect a lot of dust on the brakes, I haven't had any major problems with it. As someone who is 6'3

Positive 2009 Lexus Is 250 car reviews

Bill Howell 2024-08-29

If you're in search of a car with a sporty drive, the 350 or G37 are great options. However, if you're like me and have replaced the lead in your foot with maturity, then this is the perfect car for you. I purchased this car 15k miles ago with 35k miles and it has been a great experience. It's my first luxury car, but I've driven all the competition (bmw, g37, tl, c300) and this one stands out. The car is comfortable, looks great, feels great, and the navigation system makes life easy. While the back seat is a bit tight, it's still usable for occasional passengers. If you're sitting in the front, you'll be comfortable, pleased with the look of the interior, and find the touch screen easy to use.
Rudolph Jacobi 2024-08-27

I had the pleasure of test driving every car in this price range, but the Lexus stood out to me the most! The base model comes with so many features that other cars charge extra for, such as a 6 CD changer, iPod adaptor, sunroof, leather, premium sound, and smart key. I decided to go with the base model because it was already so well-equipped. The handling is incredibly smooth and tight, and it far surpasses my previous car, a 330i BMW. Even with the premium package, my BMW couldn't compare to the base model Lexus!
Omari Mitchell 2024-08-05

If you're not ready to bring it home that night, I suggest not test driving it. However, I must say that the experience is quite enjoyable. The ride is incredibly smooth and quiet, and the stereo system is top-notch. The paddle shifters provide a manual transmission feel, which is a nice touch. The leather seats are incredibly soft, and the vented seats add to the overall comfort. It's definitely a fun car to drive, and you'll get plenty of looks from people as you drive by.
Braulio Tillman 2024-07-07

I test drove several vehicles before purchasing, including the MB C class, BMW 335, and Infiniti. However, the IS has a unique and pleasant taste to it. It is more rigid (in a good way) than the MB, has a more stylish interior with the same driving experience as the BMW, and more style than the Infiniti. I particularly liked the exterior styling and standard features such as fog lights, LED lights, turn indicators on the side mirrors, and heated side mirrors. I am extremely happy with my choice and highly recommend test driving this car to experience its excellence. It's a Lexus!
Mavis Waelchi 2024-07-03

This car is packed with great amenities and is exceptionally smooth to drive. It's also really fun to drive in manual mode with paddle shifters. For superb handling, I highly recommend the all-wheel-drive version. All controls, such as audio, climate, and navigation, are easy to use with the touch screen. It's also very economical on gas, getting 22.8 mpg in the city and 32.5 mpg on a short 200-mile road trip. The only downside is the navigation system. While it's not ideal that it greys out and can't be used while in motion, I believe that Lexus has implemented this feature for safety reasons. However, if you're not comfortable with this, I would suggest holding off on purchasing the navigation system until Lexus changes their policy.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2009 Lexus Is 250 problems:

What to look for! Lexus IS 250 Common Problems and Issues : r/Lexus

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lexus/comments/jpp831/what_to_look_for_lexus_is_250_common_problems_and/

Nov 7, 2020 ... Carbon buildup. This can cause misfires and damage the engine if you run it for too long. (engine is direct injected to wil always be prone to ...

Used Lexus IS250 common issues - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum ...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-2nd-gen-2006-2013/850063-used-lexus-is250-common-issues.html

Mar 16, 2017 ... There's plenty of smaller issues I would look to avoid though. Melted dashboards and door panels, broken a/c recirculation doors, failed door ...

Here Are The Lexus IS 250 Years To Avoid - CoPilot

https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/lexus-is-250-years-to-avoid/

Apr 20, 2023 ... Common Problems With The Lexus IS 250 · Dashboard Melting · Door Panels Melting · Infotainment Not Working · Inside Rear-View Mirror Discoloring.

Lexus IS250 Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues

https://repairpal.com/problems/lexus/is250

Top Lexus IS250 Problems · The Inside Rear View Mirror May Become Discolored · Clicking Type Noise From Rear Suspension · Check Engine LIght With Code(s) P0751, ...