Lexus IS 250 Problems by Year

We compared every Lexus IS 250 model year from 2006–2015 using 718 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 8 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2007, 2006 and 2008, which drew far more complaints than other IS 250 years at the same age. The best years are 2013, 2012 and 2015.

10model years
718complaints
8recalls
2007, 2006worst years
2013, 2012best years

Complaints by model year

20062007200820092010201120122013201420151892131254840301753516
Owner complaints per model year, Lexus IS 250. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201516−57%—ElectricalGood
201435typical—ElectricalAverage
20135−83%2Wheel & TireGood
201217−57%4AirbagGood
201130−24%4AirbagAverage
201040typical6AirbagAverage
2009481.2×6AirbagAverage
20081252.8×5AirbagAvoid
20072133.7×5BodyAvoid
20061892.8×6BodyAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median IS 250 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lexus IS 250 problems

Latest Lexus IS 250 recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

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,…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles

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.

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…

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-006 · Jan 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles

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,…

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…

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-340 · May 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 vehicles

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…

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…

All 8 Lexus IS 250 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lexus IS 250 should you avoid?

2007, 2006 and 2008 — these years have the most complaints relative to other IS 250 years at the same age, led by body & structure problems in the 2007.

What is the best year for the Lexus IS 250?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other IS 250 years at the same age, followed by 2012 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lexus IS 250 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (225), body & structure (157) and engine & cooling (72). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Lexus IS 250 had?

8 recalls across 2006–2015. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Lexus IS 250 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.