26 of the
808 complaints filed about the Lexus IS
are about the throttle and cruise control —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
26
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
10
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus IS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled, the vehicle independently accelerated while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and all of the doors locked independently and were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11736579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FROM TIME TO TIME AS IM DRIVING TO EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN, MY CAR HAS NO POWER AND THEN WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS IT HITS HARD BACK INTO GEAR. I RESEARCHED IT ON LINE ABOUT OTHER LEXUS AND IT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER AND IT HAS A GLITCHES IN THE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESET/CLEARED , THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT HITS SO HARD THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND HURTS YOUR BACK AND NECK . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY LEXUS AT LEXUS EXPENSE, THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11637041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving approx. 60 entering on ramp of freeway when car suddenly loses power to accelerator not entire car, i almost was hit by other drivers i couldnt accelerate or anything. I panicked then started pumping accelerator then it finally catches and sped up. I immediately got off freeway. Then next day CEL, Check VSC light and skid light all came on. This car is very dangerous. WHATCAN I DO??? I refuse to use the freeway until this problem is resolved.
NHTSA complaint #11579738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. TRACTION CONTROL, PARKING BRAKE, AND ABS LIGHTS WOULD SOMETIMES COINCIDE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL I SOLD THE IS250 AT 88K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11414566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR WAS STOPPED ABOUT TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND THEN IT REVVED UP ON IT'S OWN AND THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED BUT THE CAR SPED UP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11327577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11289212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT 2008 LEXUS IS250 WITH 123K MILES ON 05/18/19. I HAD INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC PRIOR TO PURCHASING IT. ON ONE OCASSION PROR TO ACCIDENT, I BACKED OUT OF A DRIVE WAY. WHEN I SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT SUDDEN ACCELERATED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, BUT IT WAS CLEAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I REMAIN IN CONTROL. IT ONLY HAPPENED TO ME THAT ONE TIME THAT WEEK AND I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. IN THE MORNING OF MAY 29, 2019 THE CAR WAS PARALLEL PARKED WITH A VEHICLE BOTH IN FRONT BEHIND IT. MY WIFE SLOWLY BACK UP THE CAR TO ALLOW ROOM TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. SHE TURN THE FRONT WHEELS TOWARDS THE CURB SO THAT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WOULD SLIGHTLY STICK OUT. WHEN SHE SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMP OVER THE CURB AND HIT THE CONCRETE WALL OF A SCHOOL. SHE PANICKED AT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND DOES NOT REMEMBER IF SHE STEP ON ANY PEDAL DURING THAT TIME. SHE ONLY KNOWS IT ACCELERATED AS SOON AS SHE SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND THEN THE CAR HIT THE WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO OTHER CAR WAS INVOLVED. WE MOVED THE CAR OFF THE SIDE WALK AND NOTIFIED THE INSURANCE AND THE SCHOOL ADMIN.THE INSURANCE DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS AND TOOK OWNERSHIP OF IT. A GASOLINE CAR ACCELERATE BY OPENING THE THROTTLE TO ALLOW MORE AIR INTO THE ENGINE. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SUDDENLY OPEN DUE TO THE PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS AND/OR SOFTWARE CONTROLLING IT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFT BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. DR. RONALD A. BELT THEORY SEEMS PLAUSIBLE. IF TRUE YOU WOULD THINK JUST CHANGING THE SOFTWARE TO GET AN AVERAGE OF VOLTAGE SAMPLES WOULD PREVENT THE OVER COMPENSATION OF THE ECU THROTTLE CONTROLLER CAUSE BY LOW VOLTAGE SPIKES. HTTPS://WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/DR-RONALD-A-BELTS-SUDDEN-ACCELERATION-PAPERS/
NHTSA complaint #11240965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN AUGUST 2012 MY CAR'S ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND MULTIPLE MISFIRES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKET AND 3 PISTONS AND RING SETS UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR ENGINE HAS CONTINUED TO INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDER WHEN MOVING AND WHEN IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. TODAY (1/3/17) I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED AND ONCE AGAIN MY ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT ARE LIT UP. I RECEIVED THE 9 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR CARBON BUILDUP, BUT IT ONLY COVERS ME THROUGH 3/8/17. IF I HAVE CARBON BUILDUP AGAIN AFTER THAT, IT WILL COST ME $2,000-$3,000 TO FIX. THE ENGINE FAILURE IN THESE IS250S (2006-2013) IS RAMPANT AND THE CAR MODEL NEEDS TO RECALLED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10939530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HI ! SO I HAVE 2006 IS250 WITH CARBON BUILDUP , I WAS DRIVING FIND I STOP AT A STOP LIGHT CAR TURN OFF OUT OF NOWHERE I TURN OFF POWER THEN TRY TO RESTART.I HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO START THE CAR .YOU HAVE TO PUSH GAS PANDEL ..I TOLD TO MY CAR TO GLENDALE LEXUS , THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE CARBON BUILDUP SO SOMEHOW I END UP PAYING 800 FOR MAJOR TUNE UP
NHTSA complaint #10865300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN EXITING A DRIVE THROUGH CAR WASH (VEHICLE IN N) TOLD TO DRIVE OUT. I PUT IT IN DRIVE, BEGIN TO DEPRESS GAS PEDAL, IT JAMS DOWN , I PEEL OUT TOWARDS A CONCRETE JERSEY WALL, HIT IT WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CORNER FRONT, BUMPER AND FRONT WHEEL...THEN THE BACK WHEEL, STILL ACCELERATING...DO 1/2 DONUT, END UP FACING BACK IN DIRECTION I JUST TRAVELED FROM..ONLY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THE ON/OFF BUTTON. I'VE DRIVEN FOR 35+ YEARS 9 OF WHICH I HAD A CDL AND DROVE PROFESSIONALLY FOR FEDEX AND NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT..I'VE DRIVEN VARIETY OF CARS AND TRUCKS..NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH CONFUSING GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL....LOOKING AT 4500+ REPAIR BILL 9 DAYS OF RENTAL.. AND NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT... FLOOR MATS WERE SECURED, NO ADDITIONAL MATS ON TOP OF SECURED ONE, FLAT BOTTOM SHOES, NO TALKING/TEXTING ON THE PHONE AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10735107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY LEXUS 2012 IS 250 ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AFTER DEPRESSING THEM X2, AND THEN I CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. REPORTED TO LEXUS WHO ASSUMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENT. THIRD PARTY INSPECTED CAR AND DOWNLOADED BLACK BOX. REPORT FROM LEXUS STATED THAT CAR WAS DRIVE ABLE AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. CAR INCURRED $18,000 IN DAMAGES AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. WITNESSES AT COLLISION SHOP WILL VALIDATE SUCH. WHEN SPEAKING TO REPRESENTATIVES AT LEXUS TO REPORT INCIDENT I WAS TOLD BY 2 REPS ON 2 OCCASIONS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. DISTURBING
NHTSA complaint #10734027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN AND HAD TO APPLY BRAKES WHICH KEPT ME MOVING FORWARD IN A SKIDDING MOTION ON FREEWAY; LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AS I APPLIED BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL SENDING THE CAR SKIDDING IN A BREAKING PATTERN! ACCELERATOR FINALLY RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #10586764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DAILY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS WAS EASING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OVER A CURB EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO A TREE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB IT WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT LEADING TO A GREAT DEAL OF CHAOS AND CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO BE APPLIED, BUT THE DRIVER IS CONFIDENT THAT THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED WHEN THE INITIAL SURGE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER'S SPOUSE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR EVENT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 2 MPH DOWN A LONG DRIVEWAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGHER SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE BRAKES DID STOP THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10484779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT , MY FOOT NOT ON THE GAS , THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD TO SLAM MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WITH THE HELP OF THE PARKING SPOT STOPPER THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO OVER THE STOPPER.
NHTSA complaint #10453704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL COUNTRY ROAD AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH (HAVING JUST COME OUT OF A SHARP TURN). WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AFTER THE TURN, IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO "GUN", AT WHICH POINT I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND TO MY HORROR GOT NO RESPONSE. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE ACCELERATOR CONTINUED TO REV OR GUN HORRIFYINGLY AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPEED UP. AT ANOTHER SHARP TURN I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND SIDESWIPED A TREE, DROVE THROUGH THE BEDROOM OF A HOUSE (IN ONE WALL AND OUT THE OTHER) AND FINALLY STOPPED IN ANOTHER TREE. AFTER AN HOUR OF POLICE, FIRE, AND OTHER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ATTEMPTING TO EXTRICATE ME FROM THE CAR, THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE ROOF OF THE CAR TO GET ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL WITH A TRAUMA CENTER, WHERE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED STERNUM, THREE BROKEN RIBS, TWO FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, AND A LACERATED LIVER. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE DAYS, AFTER WHICH I WAS RELEASED WITH A CUSTOM-FITTED BACK BRACE THAT I WAS REQUIRED TO WEAR FOR THE NEXT SIX WEEKS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT PERMANENTLY INJURED, BUT I SUFFER BACK PAIN REGULARLY AS A RESULT OF THE FRACTURED VERTEBRAE.
NHTSA complaint #10449447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A LEXUS IS350C ON FEB 12, 2010. ON JULY 29, 2010 WITH A LITTLE OVER 9,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AT WHIPPLE HEADED NORTH ON 101, I ACCELERATED REALLY HARD TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR LOST POWER! I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING LIKE THERE WERE SEVERAL CYLINDERS NOT WORKING. THE ANTISKID AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE TO THE HILLSDALE SHOPPING CENTER AND PARKED THE CAR. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR IT RAN OK. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE LEXUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A REPAIR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME WITH NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH LEXUS, TOYOTA IS SWEEPING UNDER THE CARPET. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE OTHER DRIVERS HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING SAFELY. WHEN I SPOKE TO LEXUS CORPORATE THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #10354130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 SLOWLY, CALLED LEXUS TO TOW MY CAR IN TO CHECK IT OUT. NEXT DAY LEXUS SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS OFFERED PHONE # OF LEXUS CORP. OFFICE TO FILE MY COMPLAINT. I CALLED AND THEY TOOK MY STATEMENT AND SAID WE'D HEAR FROM THEM. ON 3/25/10, CORP. OFFICE CALLED, SAID TO BRING CAR BACK INTO LEXUS. MY HUSBAND SAID THEIR MECHANICS SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEIR CORPORATE MECHANICS WOULD CHECK IT OUT AND TO LEAVE IT THERE OVERNIGHT. WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY, LEXUS DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OUR CONVERSATION WITH THEIR CORP. OFFICE BUT CHECKED OUR CAR IN. NEXT DAY LEXUS CALLED AND SAID TO PICK UP OUR CAR AND THAT THE CORP. OFFICE WOULD LET US KNOW WHAT THEY FOUND - HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM SINCE. UPDATED 4/26/10 *CN UPDATED 05/17/10.*JB
NHTSA complaint #10324839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
3/8/2010 INVOLVING 2009 LEXUS IS 250: AS THE DRIVER OF THE LEXUS IS 250 WAS ENTERING THE GARAGE, SHE WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE WHILE THE GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENING. AS THE DRIVER RELEASED THE BRAKE TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE GARAGE, THE LEXUS IS 250 UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE SPED FORWARD. THE DRIVER WAS STOPPED FROM GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE BY FORCEFULLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKES AND STOPPED BY THE GARAGE CABINETS. ACCELERATION MARKS WERE PRESENT ON THE ASPHALT APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE GARAGE AND BRAKE MARKS WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE GARAGE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATED OCCURRED AND WE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR DIRECTION. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT WE BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE OWNERS WERE NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE CURRENT INCIDENT OF DEFECTIVE FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR AND THE OWNER FOLLOWED IN A COURTESY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE CAR DO TO THE DAMAGE LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER WHICH WAS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD POSSESSION OF THE KEYS AND THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE (OR HAVE) A DRIVER TAKE THE VEHICLE HOME DO THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. THE OWNER WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT 1-800-255-3987. THE OWNER REQUESTED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP TO AVOID ANY OTHER INCIDENTS UNTIL THE MALFUNCTION IS INVESTIGATED. THE LEXUS IS 250 WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP APPOX 2 WEEKS AGO FOR MAINTENANCE. THE DRIVER SIDE MAT WAS REMOVED OVER 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND NO OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10318286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A FAULTY LEFT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSES EXCESSIVE NOISE AND VIBRATION WHICH THEY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE INFORM THE DEALER THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING AND TO CHECK ON IT BUT WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR IS250 ACCELERATOR PEDALS UNTIL THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. THE CAR WAS GIVEN BACK ON MARCH 4 WITHOUT CHECKING THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 106MPH, WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, PULLING ON THE GAS PEDAL, HITTING THE PUSH BUTTON THAT STARTS THE VEHICLE AND THEN TRYING TO GET OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.MEANWHILE THE MOTOR IS REVVING AT A HIGH SPEED. THERE WAS A POLICE TROOPER WHO SAW THIS BUT GAVE HIM A TICKET BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE WAS SPEEDING. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HE GOT HOME SHE NOTICE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE MOTOR WAS RACING AT A HIGH SPEED. THE LEXUS DEALER WAS CALLED AND THEY WOULD HAVE THE VEHLCLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,658.
NHTSA complaint #10317047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.