2009 Lexus IS 250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 48 owner complaints about the 2009 Lexus IS 250, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-741 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.

2009 Lexus IS 250

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 17, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Lexus IS 250 has problems

48 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags201
Structure60
Vehicle speed control62
Visibility/wiper40
Fuel system, gasoline30
Visibility20
Power train20
Fuel/propulsion system20
Electrical system20
8 other systems81

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2009 Lexus IS 250 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

65%repaired · 2021 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles · 600,429 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

77%repaired · 2021 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles · 481,268 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

74%repaired · 2021 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 17V-006 · Jan 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles · 427,891 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

72%repaired · 2021 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-340 · May 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 vehicles · 1,269,624 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
72%repaired · 2016 Q2

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 14V-647 · Oct 15, 2014 · 422,509 vehicles · 305,888 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility/wiper

Recall 13V-030 · Jan 30, 2013 · 267,718 vehicles

Risk. Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other IS 250 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the IS 250 median. How we score

'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Lexus IS 250, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What IS 250 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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),…
Complaint 11081043 · Mar 23, 2018 · 100,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF…
Complaint 10981621 · May 1, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
Complaint 10969302 · Mar 29, 2017

Own a 2009 IS 250?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.