Home · 2011 Lexus IS 250 · Complaints

What 49 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Lexus IS 250

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (49)Crash / fire / injury (5)Airbags (33)Brakes (3)Engine (3)Speed control (3)Steering (3)Body & structure (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Electrical system (1)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)

33 of 49 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 15, 2021Airbags

TAKATA AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL. ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONTACT VIA INSTRUCTIONS ON RECALL LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED SOMEONE WOULD BE OUT TO REPAIR IT AND NO ONE SHOWED UP.

NHTSA ODI 11416716

Jul 16, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

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.

NHTSA ODI 11232202

Dec 31, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - MY CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, BUT THE RECALL WILL NOT ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN THE SYSTEM- IT SOUNDS LIKE IT ONLY HAPPENS IN 2019 - WHICH IS GREATER THAN 6 YEARS AFTER THE CAR WAS PUT IN SERVICE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND LOSS OF VALUE TO THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN PA BUT WILL BE MOVING TO WARMER WEATHER CLIMATE AND THIS WILL CAUSE THE DEGRADATION TO HAPPEN MORE RAPIDLY. LEXUS REPORTS THERE ARE NO ISSUES, WHICH IS NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI 11057740

Sep 5, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JANUARY OF 2017. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11021541

Aug 23, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CERRITOS LEXUS DEALER (18800 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, PHONE NUMBER: (562) 263-7857) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE CONTACT WAS THE SECOND OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11019129

Aug 22, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PARK PLACE LEXUS PLANO DEALER LOCATED IN PLANO, TEXAS WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11018886

Aug 9, 2017Airbags

"TAKATA RECALL"-RECEIVED NOTIFICATION VIA US MAIL MAY 2016, STATING THAT MY VEHICLE MODEL WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL DUE TO THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER PROVIDED I WAS TOLD TO NOT HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY VEHICLE AND THAT I'D BE CONTACTED ONCE THE REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE NOT TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE WHOLE CAR. IT'S NOW A FULL YEAR LATER AND STILL NO REMEDY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11013857

Aug 8, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - ON THE WEBPAGE HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/RECALL-SPOTLIGHT/TAKATA-AIR-BAGS, THE 2011 LEXUS IS250 AWD IS SHOWN TO BE INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, HOWEVER WHEN SEARCHING BY THE VIN, NO RECALLS ARE SPECIFIED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL INFORMATION FROM LEXUS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THE CAR IS INCLUDED ACTUALLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11013685

Jun 13, 2017Airbags

RECEIVED NOTICE OF PASSAGE AIR BAG DEFECT ON MAY 23,2016. NO REMEDY PROVIDED, ONLY SUGGESTED THAT NO ONE RIDE IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AS OF JUNE 13, 2017, MORE THAN A YEAR LATER, NO REMEDY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY LEXUS. IT IS UNREASONABLE TO NOT ALLOW A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT FOR THIS LONG A TIME (OVER ONE YEAR SO FAR). WE NEED A REMEDY NOW.

NHTSA ODI 10994618

Jun 1, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED IN DECEMBER OF 2016. THE DEALER (HENDERSON NEVADA LEXUS) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/13/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 10992658

Apr 20, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 12 MONTHS SINCE WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY AVAILABLE, WITH NO POSSIBLE DATE IN SIGHT. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT ACCOMMODATE PASSENGERS. THIS IS NOT A TIMELY REMEDY.

NHTSA ODI 10979442

Apr 13, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10972262

Apr 11, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10971909

Mar 13, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT THUMB THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10960386

Feb 24, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL: THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL SINCE 5/2016 AND I HAVE YET TO GET A REMEDY FROM LEXUS. IT IS REALLY INCONVENIENT TO NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE ANY PASSENGERS IN MY PASSENGER SEAT FOR THIS LONG. THIS NEEDS TO BE HANDLED ASAP!

NHTSA ODI 10956737

Feb 21, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10956071

Feb 11, 2017Airbags

"TAKATA RECALL" SINCE RECALL NO REPAIR HAS BEEN OBTAINED YET, PRESUMABLY DUE TO ''NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE'' SAYS SOLE LOCAL DFW DEALERSHIP WHICH SUPPOSEDLY PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST.

NHTSA ODI 10953989

Feb 1, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL IN JUNE 2016 I RECEIVED A LETTER NOTIFYING ME THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS ON RECALL FOR BEING DANGEROUS & HARMFUL IF INFLATED AND TO NOT HAVE ANY FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. TO DATE, THERE HASN'T BEEN A FIX FOR THE RECALL WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON 8 MONTHS NOW. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED. NO ONE HAS CHECKED ON MY VEHICLE NOR OFFERED A LOANER. I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE & A RENTAL CAR OPTION WAS MENTIONED. THAT ISN'T ACCEPTABLE WHEN I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE FOR A VEHICLE TO WHICH I CAN NOT FULLY USE. I HAVE A DISABLED PARENT WHO I CARE FOR & IT'S NOT COMFORTABLE FOR HER TO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE BACKSEAT OF THE IS250 IS TIGHT & MORE COMFORTABLE FOR KIDS NOT ADULTS. I AM HER SOLE CARE TAKER AND THIS INCONVENIENT ISSUE AS LEXUS EXPLAINS IT, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. AT THIS POINT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT LEXUS OR THE MANUFACTURER ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH A FIX OR REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS AN OLDER MODEL. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN LEXUS NEEDS TO EITHER REPLACE OR BUY BACK THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 10948816

Jan 24, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10947335

Jan 11, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - CURRENTLY NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL BACK IN MAY 2016

NHTSA ODI 10944393

Jan 9, 2017Airbags

NHTSA RECALL # 16V-340 I WAS INFORMED IN WRITING OVER 6 MONTHS AGO. NOTHING FURTHER HAS HAPPENED SINCE. THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY IF DEFECTIVE! I'M FILING A COMPLAINT THAT LEXUS IS TAKING TOO LONG. BASED ON ATTACHED SCREENSHOT, THEIR EXCUSE IS: "RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE" NOT ACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10943977

Nov 23, 2016Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL IN MAY OF 2016 - IT HAS BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS THAT I CANNOT USE MY VEHICLE. THIS TIME IS UNACCEPTABLE AND LEXUS NEEDS TO GET THIS FIXED ASAP

NHTSA ODI 10927712

Nov 17, 2016Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10926629

Nov 6, 2016Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. THIS RECALL IS TAKING TOO LONG AND THERE IS NO RESOLUTION DATE PROPOSED. I AM TRYING TO TRADE-IN OR SELL MY VEHICLE AND RECEIVE OFFERS $4000 OR MORE LESS THEN KBB VALUE. I DON'T WANT TO USE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE REAR SEATS ARE NOT CONVENIENT IN THE IS250C MODEL AS IT IS A TWO DOOR AND THE REAR SEATS OFFER A CRAMPED SPACE FOR PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI 10924500

Nov 1, 2016Airbags

TAKATA RECALL ACCORDING TO SAFERCAR.GOV, THERE HAS BEEN AN AIRBAG RECALL (#16V340) SINCE 5/23/16 WITH NO REMEDY. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THIS EXPEDITED AS THIS HAS BEEN VERY INCONVENIENT FOR ME? I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY AS IT IS MY SOLE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

NHTSA ODI 10920582

Older →

Working with the data? Download all 49 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Lexus IS 250 verdict →