2009 Lexus IS recalls & problems

2 recalls 40 complaints

2recalls
40owner complaints
4crashes reported
0fires reported
4 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2009 Lexus IS and 40 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is vehicle speed control (10 reports), followed by unknown or other (10). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2009 Lexus IS recalls

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 11V029000 · Jan 26, 2011

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 lexus is and model year 2006-2007 lexus gs vehicles. Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to an engine fuel delivery pipe with nickel phosphorus plating, there is a possibility that, over time, the pressure sensor could loosen. If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and the pipe and…

Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for fuel leakage from the threaded portion of the fuel pressure sensor and if a fuel leak is not confirmed, dealers will further tighten the fuel pressure sensor with the proper torque. If a fuel leak is confirmed, the gasket between the sensor and the fuel deliver pipe will be…

244,779 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 09V388000 · Oct 5, 2009

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned…

4,445,056 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2009 Lexus IS problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control 10
303
Unknown or Other 10
001
Visibility/Wiper 5
000
Air Bags 4
000
Structure 4
100
Electrical System 3
000
Engine 3
100
Exterior Lighting 3
000
Visibility 2
000
Wheels 1
000
Suspension 1
000
Steering 1
000
Service Brakes 1
100
Seats 1
000
Power Train 1
000
Parking Brake 1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
000
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1
000
Equipment 1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Unknown or Other · Mar 12, 2026 · CA

I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety concern with my Lexus IS 250. The dashboard in my vehicle is melting and has become extremely sticky, shiny, and reflective. As the material deteriorates, it creates significant glare on the windshield when sunlight hits the dashboard. This glare interferes with my visibility while driving and creates a potentially dangerous…

Electrical System · Jul 17, 2025 · 198,000 miles · AL

Odometer Fraud. The contact intended to purchase a 2009 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated while test-driving the vehicle, the contact drove to an Auto part store for diagnostic testing. It was then discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was not a sale. At the time the vehicle was test-driven, the vehicle mileage was 114,274, but it was discovered at the…

Unknown or Other · Jul 11, 2025 · HI · 1 injured

The dashboard is melting leather, as well as the inside door panels on all four doors that are leather. It burns my wife’s skin and my kids while leaving sticky black residue on our skins. It is melting so bad there are chunks missing from the leather from a simple rub.

Visibility/Wiper · May 11, 2024 · MO

Urgent: my dash has melted on my-2009 lexus is 350-cannot see to drive, my 2009 lexus is 350. It is getting to dangerous to drive because melting dash blocks view of road due to shining reflection of melting dash is all you can see in my windshield when you get in the car to drive. This is going to get me into an accident. You cant see a car if its more than 10FT in front of…

Exterior Lighting · Jun 15, 2023 · AZ

The headlamps on my car are and have been for quite awhile been hazy with the light unable to meet the safety standards the car is advertising. WIthout proper headlight I am not able to safely see the road ahead of me. There is no replacement or new headlamp avallable.

Unknown or Other · Mar 5, 2022 · FL

Dashboard and door panel are melting. The melting on the dashboard cause a shinny reflection that prevent visibility.

Visibility/Wiper · Sep 19, 2021 · CA

I have a Lexus IS250, the dashboard is sticky and shiny. When I am driving the car in the sunny days, because of the shiny dashboard , if reflects the sunshine to my windshield, which makes me very hard to see the road because of this. As the result, if the sunshine is too strong some times, I have to hit my brake to slowdown on the highway, to make sure I get a clear view…

Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 30, 2021 · 85,000 miles · CA

At approximately 85K total miles, is250 automatic began dropping from 5-6K RPM to 2-3K RPM whenever changing road grade to an incline or decline, usually above 50 MPH, dropping to 35 MPH on the highway. To maintain proper speed, I would have to downshift from d to s and floor the accelerator. Traction control, parking brake, and ABS lights would sometimes coincide with this…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 30, 2021 · 85,000 miles · CA

At approximately 85K total miles, is250 automatic began dropping from 5-6K RPM to 2-3K RPM whenever changing road grade to an incline or decline, usually above 50 MPH, dropping to 35 MPH on the highway. To maintain proper speed, I would have to downshift from d to s and floor the accelerator. Traction control, parking brake, and ABS lights would sometimes coincide with this…

Power Train · Apr 30, 2021 · 85,000 miles · CA

At approximately 85K total miles, is250 automatic began dropping from 5-6K RPM to 2-3K RPM whenever changing road grade to an incline or decline, usually above 50 MPH, dropping to 35 MPH on the highway. To maintain proper speed, I would have to downshift from d to s and floor the accelerator. Traction control, parking brake, and ABS lights would sometimes coincide with this…

Air Bags · Feb 24, 2021 · 130,000 miles · NC

Defective passenger occupancy sensor: my SRS / airbag warning light illuminated and would not turn off, indicating that the SRS system was deactivated. I had my car diagnosed by a lexus dealership service department on 12/4/2020. Johnson lexus advised me that the passenger side front seat pressure sensor failed and that the repair was to replace the seat for $2769.31. The seat…

Seats · Feb 24, 2021 · 130,000 miles · NC

Defective passenger occupancy sensor: my SRS / airbag warning light illuminated and would not turn off, indicating that the SRS system was deactivated. I had my car diagnosed by a lexus dealership service department on 12/4/2020. Johnson lexus advised me that the passenger side front seat pressure sensor failed and that the repair was to replace the seat for $2769.31. The seat…

Other Lexus IS years

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Lexus IS have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2009 Lexus IS, the most recent one (11V029000) for fuel system, gasoline. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lexus IS?

Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are vehicle speed control (10), unknown or other (10), visibility/wiper (5).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2009 Lexus IS?

Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.