34 of the 808 complaints filed about the Lexus IS are about the steering — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.
34
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
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The headlights continusely shot off while driving. The shift solenoid are stuck off causing the check engine light to continuously remain on. This all began 2023.
NHTSA complaint #11744650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Vehicle steering wheel gets slightly stuck around 70+ mph on highway. Possible issue with the EPS, steering rack, 4 pin point connecter. Lexus isn’t able to diagnose it
NHTSA complaint #11734386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I have a stick dashboard and it’s impairing my vision to see out of front windshield. Lexus did have a recall, but it expired. However, I’m still in danger while driving because of glare.
NHTSA complaint #11695432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The steering system on my Lexus IS 350 F Sport malfunctioned while driving at high speeds on the highway. Specifically, the steering wheel locked up and would not allow me to turn, which made it extremely difficult and dangerous to control the vehicle. The car is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others on the highway were seriously endangered. When the steering locked up, I was unable to make necessary lane changes or navigate slight curves. I had to reduce my speed significantly and move into the shoulder lane as safely as possible. If I had needed to avoid an obstacle or make a quick turn, I would not have been able to. At this time, the issue has not yet been reproduced or officially confirmed by a dealer or mechanic, but I plan to bring it in for a diagnostic inspection. The problem occurred unexpectedly and without warning at high speeds, making it difficult to replicate in controlled conditions. I am currently arranging for the vehicle to be inspected by a Lexus-certified service center and will allow access to the vehicle for further investigation by the manufacturer or any other relevant party. There were no warning lights, error messages, or unusual noises prior to the steering failure. My friend owns an ES 250 and had the same issue a few years ago but was able to get it fixed via recall on his vehicle. My problem happened suddenly while driving at high speeds and was not preceded by any noticeable signs.
NHTSA complaint #11673204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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It was regular morning on memorial day and I had not used the car all weekend since I really dont drive unless it to and back from work. I started the engine like would any other day and the car began to shake out of nowhere. The check engine went off, the yield sign went off and the traction control went off. I thought maybe it was time to change my brakes because the dealership had recommended it. I changed my brakes and got new tires but the car still shook. I continued to drive like that to work because I had no choice it shaked mostly on idle and I drove like that for a few days on Friday as I was coming back from work on the freeway the car shook in the freeway as I exit out the freeway the car felt almost if I couldn't pick up an speed and I got extremely scared with the cars flying by. I decided not to drive and take it to a nearby mechanic I thought maybe the spark plugs or coils might be the issue but after 3 days in the shop and replacing spark plugs he confirmed it was the direct fuel pump and possibly the fuel injector....my car is only used to drive to and back from work and only has 58k miles. I believe this is a default manufacturer part and I need help recalling this particular part on my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11592313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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When driving on the highway for about 45 mins the steering will feel sticky or “lock up” and make changing lanes very hard. The steering wheel will be hard to move, and you have to “break free” which causes a very sharp lane change that you have to recorrect. This is not safe, others have reported the same issues on forums.
NHTSA complaint #11554486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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When driving at high speeds on the highway (75-85mph) after about 20 mins or so, the steering wheel feels like it locks up or gets stuck. The only way to get it back to normal is to jerk the wheel a bit resulting in swerving. This happens almost everytime I travel across the state. The car has passed all inspections at the Lexus Dealer. This past visit to the dealership, the tie rod was found to be corroded, however the technician does not believe that is the issue. We believe it is the steering rack. This car has not been in any major accidents and was having this safety issue prior to a slight fender bender. The issue is a huge safety concern because the steering wheel "stops respondings" and needs to be jerked or swerved to go back to normal.
NHTSA complaint #11545314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The dashboard melted again, I had the TSB in 2017 to replace the dash. It is now again melted and obstructs your view by shining onto to the front windshield, obstructing the front view of the driver can cause impairment of vision and could lead to collision. The rear view mirror has black corrosion on it making it impossible to see clearly in the rearview and also obstructing your view which could cause an accident due to limited visibility when changing lanes. Sometimes when driving or parking the power steering locks the steering wheel in place intermittently, could not get it to happen at dealer but happened before and is a severe road hazard( Shows P/S in red on dash) dash lights VSC and traction control intermittently light up and go away. Obviously it is a hazard if the steering locks up when driving. Lexus oem alloy wheels chipping, not a hazard but cosmetic and disappointing.
NHTSA complaint #11511235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Power steering keeps going out and steering wheel making grinding noise. Almost crashed when lost steering on freeway. Car also makes noise while starting cold
NHTSA complaint #11467583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owned a 2008 Lexus IS350. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel began to turn to the left independently and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact’s vehicle rolled over and landed on its roof before stopping. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. A bystander assisted the contact to exit the vehicle by breaking the front passenger side window with his foot. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained bruising on her face and body. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was serviced for the air bags recall however, the dealer only replaced the passenger’s side air bag inflator and used masking tape for the engine hoses. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. Seat belt held the consumer upside down like a hammock. The black box did not say seat belt was in use. Prior to accident consumer was driving by construction site and heard loud screeching scraping under car. Car steering or linkage went out and car went to left. Consumer did not intentionally steer car left. Consumer was blamed for accident when car malfunctioned.
NHTSA complaint #11445082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE PROBLEM IS A PREVIOUS TSB ON LEXUS'S WEBSITE CALLED 9LC SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LINK ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING IS VERY UNSAFE WITH RANDOM WANDERING BETWEEN LANES AND IS VERY NOTCHY WITH RAPID MOVEMENT ONCE A CERTAIN ANGLE IS REACHED. IT HAS A DEAD ZONE OF ABOUT 20 DEGREES ON EACH SIDE AND EVERY IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD CAUSES THE CAR TO WANDER BUT THE STEERING IS NOT GIVING ANY FEEDBACK TO INDICATE ITS WANDERING OUT OF THE LANE YOU JUST HAVE TO WATCH THE EDGES OF THE LANE AND CORRECT IT CONSTANTLY. 6 LEXUS DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND END UP COSTING BE 5000 +DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM REPLACING THE SUSPENSION, BALLJOINTS, LOWER CONTROL ARMS, RACK AND PINION + ECU, INNER/OUTTER TIE RODS AND AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. NOTHING HAS RESOLVED THE PROBEM AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIX IT OR DIAGNOSE IT. THEY JUST SAY TRADE IT FOR A NEWER ONE. THERE ARE MANY IS250/350 OWNERS BETWEEN 2006 AND 2009 THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS AND MANY HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ESPECIALLY CAUSED BY LONG HWY RAMPS AND EXITS IN WHICH THE STEERING BINDS TO ONE SIDE AND YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY CORRECT IT OR IT WILL HIT THE CURB OR WANDER INTO ANOTHER LANE EXTREMELY UNSAFELY. THIS IS NOT A COMFORT ISSUE, IT IS PURELY A HIGH LEVEL SAFETY CONCERN AS THERE IS NO REMEDY AND LEXUS DEALERSHIPS AND CORPORATE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AT ALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. I THINK IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS. I DRIVE A HONDA ACCORD AND TOYOTA CAMRY AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH EITHER OF THEM AND THEY HAVE OVER 220K MILES EACH. I HAVE VISITED 10 INDEPENDENT SHOPS AS WELL AND GOT 10 ALIGNMENTS FROM DEALERSHIPS TO PERFORMANCE SHOPS AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING OR HOW TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11407225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE IN TAMPA, FL. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT A SOUND AND WITHOUT WARNING, AND HASN'T WORKED EVER SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #11400084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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GOT A AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THIS MORNING. EVERYTHING IS INTACT. WAS READING FORUMS ABOUT IT. SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON. PLEASE LET ME KNOW I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE. BUT IF NEEDED I CAN TAKE A PICTURE AND SEND IT TO YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11396356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE CONCERN I HAVE FOR MY LEXUS IS 250 IS THAT 3 MAJOR SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE DEALER. IT FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE TO DATE AS IT HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT HAVE CAUSED IT TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. A PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL, STEERING AND ACCELERATION MOST NOTABLE IN THE RAIN. TODAY I LEARNED OF THE TAKATA INFLATOR RECALLS. I BELIEVE THIS MODEL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN WHOLE FOR A SAFETY RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11377623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE PARKED CAR WAS STARTED. WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE IT, IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER.
NHTSA complaint #11372839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
NHTSA complaint #11360278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING/ PARKING AND SOMETIMES FREEZES ON THE HIGHWAY IN A RUN AS IF SOMETHING IS HOLDING ON TO IT LIKE A MAGNET, AND YOU HAVE TO PULL ON IT REAL HARD TO GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL . I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS THE ONLY CAR DOING IT BUT WHEN I WENT ON LEXUSFOURMS I'VE SEEN THAT THERE WAS MANY CAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE STATING THAT LEXUS RACK AND PINION IS FAULTY AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO CRASH IF YOUR NOT USED TO IT
NHTSA complaint #11343111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN TRYING TO STOP
NHTSA complaint #11310338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL POWER WENT IN AND OUT WITH NO WARNINGS & MY POWER STEERING FLUID IS FULL..I WAS TURNING AT THE END OF MY ROAD AND THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH BECAUSE OF IT..I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO COME GET THE CAR AND GET IT HOME , WE HAVEN'T DROVE IT SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #11308025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.