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Lexus IS 250Model year report

2009 Lexus IS 250 Problems

Compared with other Lexus IS 250 years

Typical for this model

56/100 1.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
57,450miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 21 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Lexus IS 250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2009 Lexus IS 250. The part named most often is air bags, with 20 complaints (42% of the total), followed by other or unknown (7) and body and structure (6). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 46% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,450 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 155 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 Lexus IS 250 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 56 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall - this recall has be determined for many months and no solutions have been provided. I received a notice in may 2016 to not have a passenger sit in my car. It is now october. How can it possibly be allowed for them to sell cars that you cannot have a passenger ride in?”

NHTSA complaint #10915594, filed 2016-10, 75,000 miles

Other or unknown: “The dashboard is melting, sticky and shiny, creates a mirror effect onthe all windshield. It is glaring and reflecting all over the windshield and makes driving not safe. It started few years back and getting worse. I contacted headquarters Lexus and was told by a supervisor that nothing they can do. That it is my problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11033457, filed 2017-10, 30,000 miles

Body and structure: “The dashboard on my Lexus is-250 2009 has been slowly melting for several years leaving a shiny and wet look and feel. This shiny area of the dashboard is directly over the drivers view and reflects on the underside of the windshield. In heavy or direct light (same at night) the reflected light obscures the view out onto the roadway. I believe in the right circumstances a pedestrian or another car could possibly be hidden by the reflected light from the dashboard. I can upon your request provide a video of the surface and the light problems while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #10664026, filed 2014-12, 39,731 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was pulling into a parking space. There was a car parked to my left, I was driving slowly to be sure I didn't overlap into a handicap space on my right. Despite my care the car suddenly and independently accelerated forward and struck a building. My car is a 2009 Lexus is250 and was about 6 months old at the time.”

NHTSA complaint #10336754, filed 2010-06, 5,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

46% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 72,000 miles.

21%0–104%10–2521%25–5029%50–7513%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 57,450 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20102011201320142015201620171420182019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Lexus IS 250. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
IS250/350 · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——5 · 10.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2009 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Lexus IS 250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
IS 250 RWD2.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic212924$3,400
IS 250 RWD2.5L 6-cyl6-speed manual182621$3,900
IS 250 AWD2.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic202622$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Lexus IS 250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 155 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 155 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS 250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151610,0000524—Falling
20143525,500052413 · FewerFalling
2013539,0002423—Not enough data
20121740,0004—22—Falling
2011305,2954—2232 · FewerStable
20104038,5576—2250 · TypicalStable
20094857,4506—2456 · TypicalStable
200812566,0005—2465 · MoreFalling
200721375,0005—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200618983,4116—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus IS 250 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Lexus IS 250 have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2009 Lexus IS 250 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Lexus IS 250 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 20 complaints (42% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.

Has the 2009 Lexus IS 250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Lexus IS 250 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Lexus IS 250 (IS 250, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Lexus IS 250 reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,450 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 72,000 miles; 46% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.