AI DamageLexus IS: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Lexus IS across 12 model years: 26 owner complaints and 111 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 4% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 10 complaints (38% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Steering: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 55.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2025
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2015
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2001–2005
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2026
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2022–2025
- automatic, 5-speed 2001–2005
- automatic, 6-speed 2006–2026
- automatic, 8-speed 2014–2026
- manual, 5-speed 2002–2005
- manual, 6-speed 2006–2012
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 26 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 26 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 55 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 167 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
my 2017 Lexus IS 300. While the vehicle was parked and not involved in a collision or crash, the driver-side rear curtain/side airbag unexpectedly deployed/exploded. There was no impact or event that should have caused an airbag deployment.
Rear Driver side curtain air bag exploded while my car was parked. Happened around noon. It would have caused serious bodily injury to myself and passengers if we were in the vehicle.
I am unable to shut the engine off to pump fuel into the vehicle. The purge valve has been replaced, that maf sensor has been cleaned the leak detector pump has been changed. The vehicle will shut off and go into low power mode while driving on Highway, the idling is rough. The check engine light will not go off.
On Saturday XXX, while driving on [XXX] at highway speed, without interior dashboard warning lamps or other warning symptoms both rear tires failed simultaneously & disintegrated creating a potentially catastrophic driving hazard for those with me inside the car as well as others on the Turnpike.
Vehicle steering wheel gets slightly stuck around 70+ mph on highway. Possible issue with the EPS, steering rack, 4 pin point connecter. Lexus isn’t able to diagnose it
The second (12/11/2025) and third (1/17/2026) each involved a temporary stall in active traffic requiring immediate evasive action. All events involved flashing MIL, reduced engine power, shaking, and abrupt deceleration.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life
- During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce…
- 2027 model year Lexus vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat…
- Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition
- OBSOLETE NOTICE Month ##, 2026
- During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce…
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life
- OBSOLETE NOTICE June 18, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE June 15, 2026
- Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 10, 2026
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.