Home · 2012 Lexus IS 250 · Complaints

What 36 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 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 (36)Crash / fire / injury (7)Airbags (21)Body & structure (5)Brakes (5)Electrical system (5)Speed control (5)Engine (3)Fuel system (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)Lights (1)

21 of 36 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters

Feb 26, 2022Airbags

I own a Lexus 2012 IS250 and currently active duty member stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. I was not notified that my vehicle is overdue on a safety recall until today when I am trying to ship the vehicle back to the US. What further actions can I do to get the recall done? Can I get the vehicle waivered to get the recall accomplished when it reaches the US?

NHTSA ODI 11454221

Apr 17, 2020AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

HI , MY FIRST NAME IS [XXX] LAST NAME IS [XXX] ,MY MAILING ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I HAS A LEXUS IS 250 2012 , 86000 MILE LAST 10 MONTH AGO MY CAR HAS A RECALL MAIL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FROM LEXUS,BUT MY CAR WAS IN A GOOD CONDITION EVERY THING IS FUNCTION GOOD WITH NO ANY PROBLEM, BUT AFTER I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS OF TOWSON LOCATION 1040 YORK RD , TOWSON, MD 21204 .AFTER THEY REPLACEMENT MY CAR AIR BAG .MY CAR WAS WENT ON A WARNING LIGHT NOTE THAT AIR BAG OFF ,SO IT MEANS AIR BAG NOT WORKING PROPERLY ,BUT BEFORE THAT MY CAR HAS NON OF THE LIGHT PROBLEM EVERYTHING IS GOOD. I CALL THE LEXUS OF TOWNSON. TOLD THEM MY CAR WAS A WARNING LIGHT AFTER THE RECALL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAS TO PAID FOR 300.00$ FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND ADDING LABOR AND MORE TO FIX FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. SO AFTER MY COUSIN TOLD ME DRIVING WITH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON COULD BE DANGER, BECAUSE ANY TIME HAS ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG MAY NOT PROJECT THE PASSAGE ,SO I SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT I TOLD THEM MY CAR ISSUE AFTER THEY RECALL AIR BAG REPLACEMENT . I TOLD THEM THE DEALER HAS TO RESPOND FOR THIS. AT THE FINAL I TAKES MY CAR HOME BECAUSE THEY ASKED FOR 300.00$ DIAGNOSTIC AND ADDING OVER THOUSAND FOR LABOR AND MORE .BECAUSE I ALWAYS BUSY FOR MY FAMILY I HAS TO TAKES MY MOM TO CHECK UP HER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND OTHER THING EVERY WEEK. SO I CONTRACT THE LEXUS HEADQUARTER THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING, I KEEP CONTRACT THEM AND TODAY I CALL THEM AND KNOWN THAT THEY CLOSE MY CASE , BUT I NEVER RECEIVER ANY EMAIL THAT MY CASE WAS CLOSE. I NEED MY AIR BAG LIGHT OFF WARNING LIGHT GET FIX . AND THANK FOR READING THIS .. I HOPE THE DEALER WILL FIX MY CAR AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR THE PASSAGE SIDE TO GET FIX THANK AND STAY SAFE ... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11321415

Jan 11, 2020Electrical systemLightsAirbags

THE TOP CONVERTIBLE MOTOR GOT BROKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACE IT BUT NOW THE ONE THEY PUT ON THAT TIME NOW IT'S BROKEN AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO GET FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11298620

Oct 21, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

I WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 11270079

Jul 23, 2019AirbagsBody & structureEngineCrash1 injury

TAKATABRANTAKATA RECALL MY VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 34 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME IMPACTED ME SO HARD THAT IT PUSHED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND IN TURN SHE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THERE WAS DAMAGED TO THE FRONT AND SIDE PANELS OF MY CAR AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I SUSTAINED AND SUFFERED INJURIES. THIS OCCURRED ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11234294

Dec 7, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED LEXUS SAN DIEGO AT (858) 268-8000 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11052965

Aug 31, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS). 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 LEXUS SAN DIEGO DEALER (4970 KEARNY MESA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111-2407, (858) 268-8000) 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 11020969

Aug 29, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 17V006000 (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 CONTACT CALLED LEXUS OF CLEARWATER LOCATED AT 27547 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761 AT (727) 231-1443 WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT SHE COULD GO TO ORLANDO FOR THE REPAIRS BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11020365

Aug 28, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (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 DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11020031

Aug 14, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL- RECEIVED A RECALL IN MARCH 2017 - STILL WAITING FOR A FIX (8/14/2017). UNABLE TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI 11015123

Aug 11, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (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 CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN LEXUS DEALER ON GRANT MILL RD IN BIRMINGHAM, AL WHO STATED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11014699

Aug 1, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FIVE MONTHS AGO ABOUT THIS RECALL.I CONTACTED THE DEALER SHIP ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART YET. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WONT HAVE THE PART FOR AT LEAST TWO MORE MONTHS. IN THE MEANTIME I AM CONCERNED IN USING MY CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11011984

Jun 6, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 10993533

May 23, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL MY LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEY PUT ME ON A WAIT LIST AND SAID IT COULD TAKE 2 MONTHS FOR THE THEM TO GET THE PARTS. THIS IS LEXUS SAN DIEGO

NHTSA ODI 10991224

Apr 22, 2017Airbags

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN IS THE RECALL GOING TO BE COMPLETE?? I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH A PASSENGER BECAUSE IT IS BASICALLY A TWO SEATER. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS RECALLED! CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME AN APPROXIMATE TIME OF WHEN THIS RECALL WILL BE COMPLETED?

NHTSA ODI 10979901

Mar 20, 2017Airbags

URGENT SAFETY RECALL FRONT PASS. AIRBAG INFLATOR WHICH CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH - NO PARTS AVAILABLE & LEXUS UNABLE TO GIVE AN ETA FOR PART. UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE?

NHTSA ODI 10967234

Mar 14, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10965943

Mar 10, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM LEXUS ON MARCH 7 FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. NO FIX WAS PROVIDED AND WHEN I CALLED THEY DID NOT KNOW IF IT WOULD BE 1 MONTH OR 6 MONTHS UNTIL A FIX WAS AVAILABLE. THEIR SOLUTION WAS " DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT". THIS IS A STUPID AND UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE. THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL HAS BEEN OUT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND SOMEONE IN TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS KNOW ABOUT IT? SOMEONE HAS BEEN COVERING UP THE MESS AT LEXUS? THIS BORDERS ON FRAUD AND AS A MINIMUM SOMEONE HIGH IN THEIR ORGANIZATION HAS LIED TO KEEP THIS UNDER COVER FOR THIS LONG. NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS NOT AN OPTION. I HAVE PURCHASE 3 LEXUS IN THE PAST BUT THIS WAS MY LAST.

NHTSA ODI 10959943

Mar 8, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 10959664

Dec 29, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 10938525

Jul 14, 2015AirbagsSpeed controlBrakesCrash

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 ODI 10734027

Working with the data? Download all 36 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 2012 Lexus IS 250 verdict →