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Lexus ISModel year report

2007 Lexus IS Problems

Complaints
122filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
82,500miles, 68 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 Lexus IS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the dashboard and door-panel material becoming sticky, shiny and cracked, with complaints clustering from roughly 50,000 to 120,000 miles and frequently tied to hot, sunny climates. Secondary themes are intermittent headlight dropouts, loss of power steering assist, and airbag-related warnings or incomplete recall work.

  1. Body and structure

    Sticky, melting dashboard and door panels

    • 68 complaints (56%)
    • median 82,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (32 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2012–2026

    Complaints describe the dashboard, door panels and some door handles turning soft, tacky and shiny over time, so that touching them leaves marks or removes material. Owners commonly report a strong glare reflected onto the windshield in sunlight that they say makes it harder to see the road. According to the complaints, dealers usually said the car was out of warranty and often quoted around $1,500 or more to replace the dash, with some owners reporting partial goodwill coverage. Most often reported between roughly 48,000 and 120,000 miles, with many owners linking it to sun exposure and hot weather.

    What to check: Inspect the dash top and door panels in bright sunlight for a glossy, tacky finish, cracking or previous replacement, and ask whether any goodwill dash replacement was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The front dashboard of my 2007 Lexus is350 has melted into a highly reflective, sticky substance that significantly hinders visibility out the front of the automobile under certain lighting conditions. I have not had an incident yet but am very concerned about the safety of driving the car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10637822, filed 2014-09, 120,000 miles

    “The dash of my 2007 Lexus IS 250 has been deteriorating for over a year. It appears to melting and IS very shiny causing extreme glare to the front windshield. The glare can be so severe at times that it impedes visibility. I have been in contact with the nearest Lexus dealership multiple times regarding this issue. I have sent pictures at their request and can't seem to get a definitive answer as to when repairs will be initiated. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10460081, filed 2012-05, 55,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbag warning light and recall-related airbag work

    • 34 complaints (28%)
    • median 98,130 mi at 10.9 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,725 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2013–2026

    Owners report the SRS or airbag warning light staying on, with some told the airbag wiring harness or a knee-airbag connector needed replacement at significant cost. Several describe the passenger airbag light reading off even with someone in the seat after recall work, and others describe long waits for recall parts. Complaints also include concern that a deteriorated dashboard may affect airbag deployment. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 69,000 to 175,000 miles, and often noticed at startup.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Confirm the airbag recalls were completed, watch that the SRS light goes out after startup, and check that the passenger airbag indicator reads correctly with a passenger seated.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall.... I have been contacting Lexus of orlando in orlando florida since august last year for them to complete recall but continued telling me that they do not have the parts to complete the recall estimated time for parts to arrive was around december of 2016... It IS now march of 2017 and they are still unable to supply a safe airbag for my vehicle”

    NHTSA complaint #10966607, filed 2017-03, 86,100 miles

    “The cover over the front passenger IS detached and hanging open. This happened some time following a recall repair. I am concerned that something IS wrong. Both front wheel ball joints failed and I was told that this was a dangerous situation. I had them replaced as I was traveling and not able to go to a Lexus dealer.”

    NHTSA complaint #11342808, filed 2020-08, 77,500 miles
  3. Steering

    Power steering assist loss or hard steering

    • 9 complaints (7%)
    • median 122,500 mi at 10.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2013–2023

    Complaints describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy or feeling locked, often at low speed while parking or turning, and in some cases while driving at higher speed. Some owners report a rubbing or grinding noise on turns that got progressively worse. According to the complaints, shops and dealers diagnosed rack-and-pinion or related leaks, with repair quotes ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Mostly reported from about 60,000 to 175,000 miles, sometimes appearing first as noise on low-speed turns.

    What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for rubbing or groaning, and ask whether the steering rack or pump has been serviced or replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The power steering goes out leaving driving a serious hazard. I have read this IS not uncommon in this model. Also, I was informed that it could lock up completely. This IS a serious safety issue yet there IS not a recall. The car IS in motion when this happens on both city and highway.”

    NHTSA complaint #11257412, filed 2019-09, 243,000 miles

    “As I just exited the highway and pulled into the parking lot of my work, the steering wheel suddenly froze. I was about to park in an open spot, so the speed of the car was very low. As I was reversing into the spot, the steering wheel jammed and would not turn. I tried shutting down and restarting many times but the wheel was stuck, and required enormous amount of power to turn ever so slightly. The car was towed to the Lexus dealer. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10550938, filed 2013-11, 85,000 miles
  4. Exterior lighting

    Headlights cutting out intermittently

    • 7 complaints (6%)
    • median 61,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2013–2026

    Owners describe one or both low beams flickering or shutting off while driving, sometimes coming back after cycling the light switch off and on or restarting the car. Several say replacing the HID bulbs did not resolve it. Complaints mention dealers and shops suggesting bulb replacement first, and some owners reporting repeat bulb failures. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 150,000 miles, and owners note it can happen at night at any speed.

    What to check: Test both low beams on a dark road or against a wall and cycle the switch several times; ask whether bulbs, ballasts or the headlight assembly have been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have had replace the h.I.d headlight bulb 3 times on each side. I think they must be defected, other people on Lexus chat online have voiced they have the same problems with there Lexus. Was there a recall? Also rear struts leaking.”

    NHTSA complaint #11324611, filed 2020-05, 51,000 miles

    “I've had this car for 4 months and while driving my vehicle my lights will just turn off. This happens while vehicle IS stationary or on the road at low street speed or high highway speeds. Sometimes just the left headlight, sometimes just the right headlight and sometimes both headlights at the same time. Only way to temporarily correct IS to turn the light switch off and then back on for a few more minutes and then the light problem happens again. I've seen numerous complaints. Changing the lightbulbs does not work, I've tried that. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11161033, filed 2018-12, 145,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the dashboard and door-panel material, a night test of the headlights, and a check of the airbag warning light and completed recalls will cover most of what owners describe. Ask for service records showing any steering or engine-related repairs, since those complaints often appear at higher mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 122 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lexus IS. 68 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,500 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 54 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: Engine cooling (3), Electronic stability control (2), Suspension (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Dashboard started melting as well as doors after 3 days from when I bought the car from Lexus of orlando, took it back and they were not able to assist cause car was off warranty by 4k miles, if I knew this was happening I would have never bought it.”

NHTSA complaint #10617468, filed 2014-07, 74,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Melting dashboard - can simply stick a fingernail in it and it leaves an indentation. I noticed that others have complained of this problem also. It's also very sticky anywhere along the leather on the doors and dashboard. Also, my car IS only 7 years old and a year ago the touch screen went out. I cannot use the GPS at all. Apparently the cost IS about $1,000 to fix this. Seems rediculous that this would happen after only 7 years. This should be guaranteed for life!”

NHTSA complaint #10622009, filed 2014-08, 50,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “As I drove down i95 my visibility was impaired by a large glare on my window cause by a reflection off of the melted and defected Lexus is250's dash board. I have brought this up to Lexus of pembroke pines and was told the can not do anything for me.”

NHTSA complaint #10564649, filed 2014-02, 77,190 miles

Air bags: “The ars light comes on and will not go off, was advised that Lexus no longer makes this part so I can not get it fixed this was a part of a previous campaign recall but I am still having the issue”

NHTSA complaint #11391000, filed 2021-02, 175,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

16% of the 68 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 105,000 miles.

9%0–101%10–256%25–5028%50–7521%75–10026%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (68 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 82,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’09’1432’17’20’23’26
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.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2007 Lexus IS → · 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. 54 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 54 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023511,0000523—Too new
20206—0———Not enough data
20171196,0000———Not enough data
2015988,0000———Not enough data
201412—0———Not enough data
2013959,5940—24—Not enough data
20121823,0000—22—Falling
20111577,0000—22—Falling
20104167,0001—2146 · TypicalStable
20094036,7502——77 · MoreFalling
200810278,5003——50 · TypicalFalling
200712282,5003——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200614389,5007——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20051247,0000———Not enough data
20041074,8380———Not enough data
20031248,0000———Not enough data
20021288,0000———Not enough data

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

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lexus IS?

Owners of this model year most often describe the dashboard and door-panel material becoming sticky, shiny and cracked, with complaints clustering from roughly 50,000 to 120,000 miles and frequently tied to hot, sunny climates. The issues reported most often: Sticky, melting dashboard and door panels; Airbag warning light and recall-related airbag work; Power steering assist loss or hard steering.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007 Lexus IS have?

NHTSA recorded 122 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lexus IS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 Lexus IS is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 46 complaints (38% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 27.

Has the 2007 Lexus IS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 Lexus IS reported?

Among the 68 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,500 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 105,000 miles; 16% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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.