2011 Lexus IS 250 recalls and problems

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 has 4 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lexus dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
30
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Lexus IS 250 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Lexus IS 250 recalls

Recall 19V-741: Air Bags

Reported Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Recall 19V-005: Air Bags

Reported Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Recall 16V-340: Air Bags

Reported May 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Recall 13V-030: Visibility/Wiper

Reported Jan 30, 2013 · 267,718 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.

Risk: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2011 Lexus IS 250 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags20
Vehicle Speed Control3
Unknown or Other3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Steering2
Suspension1
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1
Service Brakes1
Power Train1
Structure1
Tires1
Visibility/Wiper1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 5,295 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2011 Lexus IS 250 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 130,000 miles · reported Jul 16, 2019
The contact owns a 2011 lexus is250. The contact stated that while making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver did not sustained injuries, the front passenger sustained face injuries that required medical attention. The other driver did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The contact stated that he just received a recall noticed which the VIN was included…
Electrical System · at 93,000 miles · reported Jan 14, 2018
I was driving in heavy traffic (Stop and go); I was fully stopped with my foot on the brake - I eased off the brake to slowly roll forward - absolutely did not place my foot on or anywhere near the gas pedal - as I eased off brake, I felt a strong "surge" from the front of the car- the car accelerated and I slammed in to a truck that was directly in front of me- I looked at the dashboard as this was happening and the "check engine" light and the "traction" light were both on - I tried to brake but the brake pedal was hard - I was stopped due to the impact of hitting the truck-- I AM attaching…
Air Bags · reported Aug 22, 2017
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lexus is 250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (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 park place lexus plano dealer located in plano, texas 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.
Air Bags · reported Jun 1, 2017
The contact owns a 2011 lexus is 250. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (Air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The recall notification was received in december of 2016. The dealer (Henderson nevada lexus) stated that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 07/13/17
Air Bags · reported Apr 20, 2017
Takata recall. It has been 12 months since we were notified of this recall, and the dealership has yet to have a remedy available, with no possible date in sight. We do not feel safe driving the vehicle and cannot accommodate passengers. This is not a timely remedy.

Other Lexus IS 250 years

Compare all Lexus IS 250 years · All Lexus models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Lexus IS 250 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Lexus IS 250: 19V-741 (air bags), 19V-005 (air bags), 16V-340 (air bags), 13V-030 (visibility/wiper). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Lexus IS 250?

Owners report air bags problems most often (20 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 5,295 miles.

Are Lexus recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lexus dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.