Home · 2014 Lexus IS 250 · Complaints

What 35 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 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 (35)Crash / fire / injury (7)Electrical system (9)Airbags (8)Suspension (4)Body & structure (3)Engine (3)Speed control (3)Steering (3)Brakes (2)Fuel system (2)Equipment (1)

Newest first · 35 complaints · page 1 of 2

Jan 14, 2022Suspension

The contact owns a 2014 Lexus IS250. The contact stated that the rear tires of the vehicle were wearing out quickly. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on a different brand of tires that she had purchased including Pirelli and Continental tires. The contact also stated that the tires were only lasting for 3,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who diagnosed that no issues were found, and the vehicle had a proper alignment. The contact stated that she had been purchasing rear tires of size: 255/35/R18 per manufacturer's instructions. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11447551

Sep 17, 2021Body & structureVisibility & wipers

Headlights are not sealed properly and moisture in the air rusts the lightbulb and they have to replace the whole headlamp!

NHTSA ODI 11433333

Jun 22, 2021Speed controlCrash

When parking the car at a shopping mall, the car suddenly accelerated and jumped the curb. It finally stopped when it hit a stopped bus. Two teenage passengers were in the vehicle. The driver does not believe the accelerator was pressed enough to cause the vehicle to accelerate in the manner it did.

NHTSA ODI 11421859

Jan 20, 2021SuspensionElectrical system

SUSPENSION, CONTROL ARMS, SHOCKS, AXELS, ETC. AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR, MAKING THE TIRES HAVE A NEGATIVE OFFSET AND CAUSE EXTREME AMOUNTS OF WEAR ON FAR INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE NAVIGATIONAL SCREEN CONINTUES TO SHUT OFF AND THEN TURN BACK ON WHILE DRIVING. I FIND THIS A CONCERN BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN I REVERSE AS WELL

NHTSA ODI 11389035

Aug 24, 2020Electrical system

AMPLIFIER IS IN A LOCATION WHERE IT GETS DAMP AND MOISTURE RUIN IT.

NHTSA ODI 11351010

Aug 13, 2020Fuel system

TOYOTA HAS A RECALL ON THEIR FUEL PUMPS AND NOTICED MY CAR WAS IN THE ARTICLE. MY FUEL PUMP IN MY LEXUS IS250 F SPORT HAS GONE BAD AND I NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S COVERED. I TYPED IN MY VIN NUMBER ON THIS WEBSITE BUT IT'S GIVING ME INFORMATION ON A LEXUS IS200T. MY CAR WAS STATIONED AND WILL NOT START UP DUE TO FUEL PUMP

NHTSA ODI 11348996

Jul 22, 2020Airbags

SEA AIRBAGS WARNING B1861 CODE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11341021

Jun 12, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11328450

Jun 9, 2020Fuel systemCrash

MAJOR FUEL LEAK ON 2 FUEL INJECTORS. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF NOT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. MINOR CRASH HAPPENED DUE TO SOME HEADACHE. THE VEHICLE HAS 90,300MILES ON IT AND WAS SERVICED PER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION. BASED ON RESEARCH THIS IS PERSISTENT WITH SOME LEXUS MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327963

Jun 3, 2020Electrical system

MY 2014 LEXUS IS 250 CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE WORKING LOCKS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 250 WITH ISSUES WITH THE LOCKS. THE ACTUATOR WAS CHANGED AND THE CAR WORKS FOR A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN THE ACTUATOR STOPS WORKING AGAIN. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $555 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT PER DOOR. CURRENTLY NO LOCKS ON MY 2014 LEXUS WORK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS OVER $2,200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ACTUATORS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF MY SON WERE TO UNLOCK HIS DOOR IN THE BACK AND SOMEONE WERE TO TRY TO OPEN HIS DOOR I COULD NOT LOCK IT TO PROTECT HIM. IF I'M ON THE WRONG SIDE OF TOWN AND SOMEONE TRIES TO GET IN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF MY CAR WHERE I CANNOT REACH THE LOCK, I'M IN DANGER. THIS IS A DANGER ISSUE AND A KNOWN ISSUE FOR LEXUS, A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR OUR CARS AND EXPECT TO AT LEAST BE SAFE WITH LOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327172

May 21, 2020Steering

THE STEERING STOPS WORKING WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER LONG DISTANCES. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR RACK STARTS TO FAIL MAKING KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE DIFFICULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325377

Mar 14, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

IMPACT WITH CONCRETE PILLAR. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. DRIVER SUFFERED HEAD INJURY LEADING TO SEIZURE AND THREE BROKEN VERTEBRAE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11186960

Mar 7, 2019Suspension

THE VEHICLE IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE. BOTH FRONT TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE. THIS WEAR IS SO SEVERE THAT THE CORDS WERE SHOWING ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRES, WHILE THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE TIRE LOOKS NORMAL. THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AFTER 10,000 MILES. LEXUS HAD PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AND ALL SCHEDULED SERVICES. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE WEAR (LEXUS OF WARWICK, RI), I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND THE CAR ORIGINALLY CAME WITH A FACTORY NOTICE INFORMING THE PURCHASER THAT THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRES WERE PRONE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS A FACTORY CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE, NOR WAS IT INCLUDED IN THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL.

NHTSA ODI 11184849

Jul 2, 2018Airbags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11105025

May 27, 2018Suspension

LEXUS IS VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE INNER TIRE WEAR. VEHICLES SERVICED AT LEXUS DEALERSHIP ARE NOT PROPERLY INSPECTED. EVEN AFTER PROVIDING PROPER MAINTENANCE BY THE DEALERSHIP SUCH AS TIRE ALIGNMENT. THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER APPLIED THESE LEXUS VEHICLES CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE DIVERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND OFTEN TIMES ARE NOT TOLD ABOUT TIRE ISSUES AFTER TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. PERSONALLY SPEAKING I FOUND MY SELF WITH THIS SITUATION, WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY. A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DROP SOME CHAIRS THEY WERE CARRYING , I HAVE TO CONDUCT AN EVASIVE MANEUVER. THE CAR FELT A BIT WEIRD AFTER ARRIVING AT HOME. UPON INSPECTING MY TIRES THEY SHOW EXTREME TIRE WEAR. THE NEXT DAY I ARRIVED AT MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISE ME THAT TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACES. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 16K SINCE THE LAST TIRE REPLACEMENT. I MENTIONED TO HIM THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THE SERVICE REP MENTION TO ME THAT LEXUS IS VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND BRAKE WEAR. MY ISSUE WAS NOT WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE TIRES BUT WITH THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF THE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. MARCH OF 2018 WAS MY LAST SERVICE TO THIS VEHICLE THEY PROVIDED AN OIL CHANGE AND A VEHICLE ALIGNMENT. THE SERVICE REP MENTIONED THAT CHECKING TIRES AND CHECKING BRAKES WAS NOT PART OF THE INSPECTION PROCESS THEY PROVIDE THEIR CUSTOMERS. I WAS SHOCKED AND APPALLED SPECIALLY SINCE THEY KNOW ABOUT THE TIRE WEAR ISSUES. CHECKING TIRES SHOULD BE THEIR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IF THEY KNOW THESE ISSUES ARE PERSISTENT ON THIS VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11098185

Mar 27, 2018

WHEN LOCKING CAR WITH REMOTE, THE GAS DOOR POPS OPEN. THIS IS THE 2ND IS 250 2014 THAT DID THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11081574

Jan 25, 2018Wheels

I EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL REAR TIRE WEAR. I TAKE MY LEXUS IN FOR SERVICE AT THE LEXUS DEALER EVERY 5000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 32,000 MILES. WHEN I WENT IN FOR MY 45,000 MILE SERVICE THIS WEEK, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED 2 NEW REAR TIRES. THEY WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDE TREAD AND THE INSIDE WALL HAD METAL THREADS SHOWING. YES I ALWAYS KEEP MY TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED. OF COURSE I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE. I WAS TOLD BY THE LEXUS DEALER AND BY ANOTHER CAR REPAIR SHOP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD DO TO PREVENT THE TIRES FROM WEARING OUT EVERY 15,000 MILES EVEN WITH A YEARLY ALIGNMENT. THEY BOTH TOLD ME THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES ARE DIFFERENT SIZES AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE ROTATED AND IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HOW LEXUS HAS THIS CAR SET UP, SOMETHING WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OR SOMETHING.I WENT ONLINE TO SOME LEXUS OWNERS FORUMS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS IS MODELS. FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TIRES WORE SO QUICKLY FROM MY 40,000 TO 45,000 MILE SERVICE AND HAD I NOT TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHEN I DID, I MAY HAVE A SERIOUS BLOWOUT OR SOMETHING. ALSO I AM WONDERING WHY THE DEALER WHO DID MY SERVICE DID NOT NOTICE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR AT 40,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11064872

Sep 8, 2017SteeringAirbagsBrakesCrash

I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BREAK NOT WORKING CAR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MECHANICAL FAILURE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T EVEN WORK

NHTSA ODI 11022355

Apr 26, 2017

MUSTY ODOR WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING. LEXUS TECHNICIANS TOLLD ME TO PUT AIR SYSTEM ON RECYCLE TO PREVENT SMELL. I DID THAT AND SMELL IS BACK. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR DO THIS. AFTER RESEARCH, THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR

NHTSA ODI 10980966

Apr 25, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON MARCH 2017 AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO LEXUS SAN DIEGO DEALER LOCATED AT KEARNY MESA SAN DIEGO CA ON 25 MARCH TO GET IT FIXED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO THEY PUT ME ON THE WAITING LIST. I CAME BACK AFTER A MONTH AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE STILL NO PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 10980450

Dec 27, 2016Electrical system

THE BATTERY GOES DEAD FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY TELL ME THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AND THAT I MUST HAVE LEFT SOMETHING ON. ONCE MAYBE BUT NOT 3 TIMES, EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THERE IS NO DEALER NEAR ME SO I HAVE TO DRIVE 50 MILES ONE WAY JUST FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED. WELL NO KIDDING, I JUST DROVE 50 MILES WITH THE BATTERY BEING CHARGED BY THE ALTERNATOR. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT A NEW CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE JUMP STARTED IN ORDER TO GET TO WORK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED LAST TIME AND THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THAT THEY CHARGED IT UP AND EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW. 3 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I HAD TO JUMP START THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL POST ON THE WEB WITH OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND FEEL THAT LEXUS MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A FORD OR CHEVROLET AT LEAST THEY ARE CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I GUESS YOU LIVE AND LEARN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10937534

Oct 25, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE PRE-OWNED VEHICLE ON AUGUST 21, 2015. THE CONTACT NOTICED A MILDEW ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SWITCHED OUT THE FILTER SIX TIMES TO REMEDY THE ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE FILTERS WOULD NO LONGER BE CHANGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CORPORATE CENTER STATED THAT THE ISSUE HAD TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY A LEXUS DEALER. THE CONTACT'S WARRANTY HAD SINCE EXPIRED AND LEXUS WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000....UPDATED 01/05/17 *BF CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE CAR UPDATED 9/5/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10918806

Sep 28, 2016AirbagsBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PANELS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE AIR BAG PANELS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE RUBBER AROUND THE SUN ROOF ALSO DETACHED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE RUBBER TRIM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THESE FAILURES, BUT THEY KEPT RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10910237

Sep 23, 2016Electrical system

THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST THE DOOR LOCK WENT BAD, THEN THE SUNROOF WENT BAD, THEN THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WAS UNUSABLE FOR 2 DAYS (IT WAS WIDELY PUBLICIZED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS A FAULTY SYSTEM UPDATE). TO TOP IT OFF, EACH AND EVERY TIME I ATTEMPTED TO GET THESE ISSUES RESOLVED THE DEALERSHIP KEPT DAMAGING MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED LEXUS CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSED TO GET INVOLVED STATING THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND SUGGESTED I CONTACTED THE OWNERS OF THE DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THESE WERE BOTCHED WARRANTY REPAIRS. I EVEN CONTACTED THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT (NCDS) TO HAVE THE WARRANTY EXTENDED FROM 50,000 TO 100,000 MILES AND THEIR REPLY WAS THESE ISSUES DID NOT AFFECT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. FROM TALKING TO THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT CHECK MY VEHICLE IN, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL ARE COMMON. TO THIS DAY, THE INFOTAINMENT (WHICH HAS A NAVIGATION SYSTEM) STILL RANDOMLY RESTARTS ITSELF. THIS IS UNSAFE IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE USING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10908853

May 12, 2016Airbags

I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE EXPANDING RECALL AND AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR HAS THE TEKATA AIRBAGS. I HAD TO CALL THE NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS IN TORRANCE CALIFORNIA WHERE THEY MADE FUN OF ME ON THE PHONE LINE. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE TEKATA AIRBAGS THAT ARE NOT YET IN THE RECALL THAT IS EXPANDING SO I CAN DEACTIVATE THEM OR GET THE ISSUE ADDRESSED. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT KNOWING THIS. THEY ADMIT THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION AS TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE AIRBAGS BUT REFUSE TO GIVE IT TO ME. PLEASE HELP ME GET THEM TO RELEASE THE INFO AND NOT TREAT CUSTOMERS WITH SUCH LACK OF CONCERN AND DISRESPECT AS I EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA ODI 10864504

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Working with the data? Download all 35 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 2014 Lexus IS 250 verdict →