no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
2009 Lexus ISProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 2009 Lexus IS, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Lexus IS has problems
40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
10Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
5Visibility/wiper
4Air bags
4Structure1 crash/fire/injury
3Electrical system
3Exterior lighting
3Engine1 crash/fire/injury
2Visibility
1Steering
1010 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 10 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2009 Lexus IS 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.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR…
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 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 median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What IS owners report
Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
AT APPROXIMATELY 85K TOTAL MILES, IS250 AUTOMATIC BEGAN DROPPING FROM 5-6K RPM TO 2-3K RPM WHENEVER CHANGING ROAD GRADE TO AN INCLINE OR DECLINE, USUALLY ABOVE 50 MPH, DROPPING TO 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. TO MAINTAIN PROPER SPEED, I WOULD HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT FROM D TO S AND FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR.…
IT HAS A FEW PROBLEMS IT ACCELERATES AT TIMES IT HAS AIRBAG RECALL AND UNSTABLE TO DRIVE AT TIMES BRAKES LOCK UP OR TOUCHY WHEN PUSHED. JUST PURCHASED RECENTLY FROM DEALER ALSO WAS STOLEN TWICE BEFORE
MAR. 3/4/10 - AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, MY 2009 IS250 ACCELERATED AND LUNGED WITH A HIGH PITCHED SCREAMING NOISE. I STEPPED HARD ON THE BRAKES BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP IT. A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK WAS PARKED WITH HIS REAR BUMPER IN FRONT OF ME AND IT STOPPED THE CAR. SHAKEN UP, I DROVE HOME…
Own a 2009 IS?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.