Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

37 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 3
A recent report: I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (STOP AND GO); I WAS FULLY STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE - I EASED OFF THE BRAKE TO SLOWLY ROLL FORWARD - ABSOLUTELY DID NOT PLACE MY FOOT ON OR ANYWHERE NEAR THE…
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I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (STOP AND GO); I WAS FULLY STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE - I EASED OFF THE BRAKE TO SLOWLY ROLL FORWARD - ABSOLUTELY DID NOT PLACE MY FOOT ON OR ANYWHERE NEAR THE GAS PEDAL - AS I EASED OFF BRAKE, I FELT A STRONG "SURGE" FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR- THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I SLAMMED IN TO A TRUCK THAT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME- I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AS THIS WAS HAPPENING AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND THE "TRACTION" LIGHT WERE BOTH ON - I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD - I WAS STOPPED DUE TO THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE TRUCK-- I AM ATTACHING THE EDR REPORT AS RETRIEVED BY A COMPANY LEXUS CONTRACTS WITH

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11062688 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT'S HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE SUN REFLEXT

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11048425 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 2loss of steering 1airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD (WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN) AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ON JANUARY 6, 2012. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2012 AND…
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CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD (WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN) AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ON JANUARY 6, 2012. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2012 AND JANUARY 2013, I.E., CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT/SIGN. THE LATTER INCIDENTS DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10502998 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: VIOLENT TREAD SEPARATION ON DUNLOP SP SPORT 2050 AT 37,000 MILES. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10662201 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
26

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 2airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES, THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICED WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V005000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11232202 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1
A recent report: ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER GETTING THIS CAR BRAND NEW I STARTED SMELLING A FOUL ODOR. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I USED THE AIR CONDITIONING. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE FRESH AIR MODE A MOLDY/MUSTY SMELL…
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ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER GETTING THIS CAR BRAND NEW I STARTED SMELLING A FOUL ODOR. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I USED THE AIR CONDITIONING. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE FRESH AIR MODE A MOLDY/MUSTY SMELL EMANATED THROUGHOUT THE CAR. IT CONTINUED AND I TOOK THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TO LEXUS. THEY CHANGED THE CABIN FILTERS, EVEN USED A STATE OF THE ART PROCESS TO ELIMINATE THE ODOR - BUT IT KEPT COMING BACK. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. HOWEVER I GOT AN ATTORNEY WHO SUGGESTED I HIRE A MOLD EXPERT AND SURE ENOUGH THEY FOUND A TOXIC MOLD IN THE ENGINE. LEXUS STILL REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN IN MY CAR SMELLS THIS EXCEPT THE PEOPLE AT LEXUS. IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT THE MOLD EXISTS, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT IT'S PROBABLY DUE TO A LEAK IN THE A/C SYSTEM. THEY WOULD NEVER TAKE THE A/C APART TO FIND THE LEAK SO I'VE HAD TO DRIVE THIS SMELLY CAR FOR THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS....I'M GOING TO TURN IT IN EARLY FOR FEAR OF BREATHING IN THIS TOXIC MOLD AND SHAME ON LEXUS FOR NOT BEING CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH. AN AIR CONDITIONING EXPERT IN LOS ANGELES TOLD ME HE HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIMILAR SMELLS FROM THE IS. MY DOCTOR SAID THIS MOLD IS MAN MADE AND NOT ENVIRONMENTAL SO IT MUST BE FROM WATER CONDENSATION. ALSO, MY CAR HAD SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES LIKE THE FRESH AIR MODE WOULD NOT STAY OPEN SO THAT THE WATER CONDENSATION COULD DRY OUT. THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED TWO OR THREE TIMES. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10661019 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 37 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2019, roughly 5 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.