Most common 2009 Lexus IS 250 problems
Share of the 48 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus IS 250 complaints by model year
Best IS 250 years: 2013, 2012, 2015. Years to avoid: 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2009 Lexus IS 250 recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver 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 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
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
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
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…
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 September 10, 2010.
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.
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, through July 10, 2011.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Lexus IS 250:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2009 Lexus IS 250 owners say
Air bags all 20 →
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.
Takata recall - this recall has be determined for many months and no solutions have been provided. I received a notice in May 2016 to not have a passenger sit in my car. It IS now October. How can it possibly be allowed for them to sell cars that you cannot have a passenger ride in?
Speed control & acceleration
Tl contact owns a 2009 Lexus is250. The contact stated that while she was driving out of a parking space the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact mentioned that she engaged the brakes but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle finally stopped when it crashed into a steel pole. None of the air bags deployed. The contact experienced discomfort on the neck and back. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated that they were unable to diagnose or duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and replied by mail stating that it was OK to drive the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 25,000.
I was pulling into a parking space. There was a car parked to my left, I was driving slowly to be sure I didn't overlap into a handicap space on my right. Despite my care the car suddenly and independently accelerated forward and struck a building. My car IS a 2009 Lexus is250 and was about 6 months old at the time.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
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.
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.
2009 Lexus IS 250 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Lexus IS 250 a good car?
Based on 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 IS 250 rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the IS 250 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Lexus IS 250?
The air bags — 20 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (6) and windows, wipers & sunroof (6).
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus IS 250 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2009 Lexus IS 250, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus IS 250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2012 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Lexus IS 250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Lexus IS 250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.