Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Lexus IS250 problems
Owners filed 49 complaints about the 2011 Lexus IS250 with NHTSA between Aug 2011 and Sep 2022. The most-cited component is air bags (33).
Complaints
49
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags33
- Engine3
- Steering3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Visibility/wiper2
- Power train2
- Structure2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Seats1
- Electrical system1
- Tires1
- Service brakes1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
1
3
3
0
12
20
1
2
2
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
33 reports3 crashes
“TAKATA AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL. ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONTACT VIA INSTRUCTIONS ON RECALL LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED SOMEONE WOULD BE OUT TO REPAIR IT AND NO ONE SHOWED UP.”
Engine
3 reports
“Valley Plate Leak. The Valley Plate Leaks are notorious on this vehicle. There have been several forums about it.”
Steering
3 reports
“FIRST STARTED WITH STEERING GETTING STUCK A BIT WHILE CHANGING LANES NOW THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION MAKES NOISE STEERING LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE PARKING IN AND OUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING.”
Vehicle speed control
3 reports2 crashes
“DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2013, I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I ALSO HAD SEVERAL BEFORE DECEMBER THAT I DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO. WHAT THEY HAD IN COMMON WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN I EXPERIENCED A SURGE. IN ONE INSTANCE, I WAS EASING OUT OF A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH JUST THE IDLE SPEED MOMENTUM MOVING THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SURGED AND PULLED ME INTO THE ROADWAY BLINDLY BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ONCOMING VEHICLES. HAPPENED AGAIN ON MARCH 20, 2014 WITH FULL DOCUMENTATION ON MY PART. *TR”
Visibility/wiper
2 reports
“The dashboard is defective in that it melts when exposed to heat and becomes sticky. Although initially it started off as a cosmetic issue, the melting of the dashboard causes it to be very glossy to the point where it reflects onto the front windshield and creates a blind spot on the front windshield when driving. This poses an immediate safety hazard when driving as it's sometimes difficult to see objects that are right in front of the car while driving. The defective dashboard has been confirmed by the dealer and manufacturer. Although the manufacturer issued a customer support program to replace the dashboard, it was not a mandatory recall and the support program has since expired. Additionally, the support program initially described the malfunction as only a cosmetic issue. However, over time, this cosmetic issue has started to impact drivability in certain conditions while putting the driver and others at risk.”
Power train
2 reports
“FUEL IS NOT DELIVERED TO FIRING CHAMBER DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THIS WILL CAUSE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHEN ON THE ROAD. NO OBD-II CODE IS PRESENT SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WILL PUT THE CAR IN PROTECTED MODE, NO CODE CAN BE READ. WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, IT WILL HAVE NO POWER TO STEERING OR BRAKE SYSTEM, PUT DRIVER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND OUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME. THE PROBLEM APPEARED THE NEXT MORNING.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.