VehicleVerdict

2009 Lexus IS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 55 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.6 times the median IS year — the 2009 model ranks #4 of 28 IS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (11), speed control (10), and visibility & wipers (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

55

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other IS years?

IS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted185 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 17 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 13 complaints2006: 185 complaints2007: 171 complaints2008: 143 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 22 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 15 complaints2015: 14 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 7 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints
IS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all IS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Lexus IS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1120%
Speed Control1018%
Visibility & Wipers713%
Electrical System59%
Airbags47%
Body & Structure47%
Engine35%
Lighting35%
Brakes24%
Steering12%
Fuel System12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Transmission12%
Seats12%

Does the 2009 Lexus IS have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V029000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 2011 · 244,779 units

Defect

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 THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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 REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THIS WAS A LOANER CAR. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK ON THE FLOOR. THE HEAVY RUBBER MAT CAUGHT THE EDGE OF THE GAS PEDAL AND HELD IT DOWN ON THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL (DON'T KNOW HOW THE ENGINE DIDN'T BLOW UP), BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP, SHIFT TO PARK AND SHUT ENGINE OFF. I SAW THIS MORNING ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 16, 2009

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 250 . HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UP A HILL WHEN TURNING AND SLOWING DOWN BY PUTTING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED OVER A MOUNTAIN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, BROKE HIS RIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 6, 2010 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY ON 12/23/2016, I HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. I IMMEDIATELY CLOSED THE HATCH TO PREVENT GLASS FROM COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE, I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS WAS PUSHED UP -…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 23, 2016

“LEXUS IS 250 2009 , DRIVER SIDE MAT WAS NOT THERE ,STILL MY CAR COULD NOT STOP AT A RED LIGHT , WHY? I WAS TERRIFIED, NEARLY ESCAPED A CRASH , SO PLEASE RESEARCH WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE LEXUS CARS . TOYOTA NEVER SENT ME ANY RECALL NOTICE UNTIL AFTER THE FACT , BUT I KNEW ABOUT THE MAT RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 9, 2009

“LEXUS (TOYOTA) IS NOT DO ANYTHING TO ENSURE RIDER SAFETY OF A CAR THEY SOLD. THEY ARE ASSUMING THE AIRBAG, WHEN DEPLOYED, ONLY HURST THE FRONT PASSENGER. SINCE I CARPOOL AND USE MY CAR AT WORK, I MIGHT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO RENT A CAR UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. I AM STUCK SINCE THE VALUE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 9, 2016

2009 Lexus IS — common questions

Is the 2009 Lexus IS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 55 complaints put the 2009 model at #4 of 28 IS years. It is one of the IS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 IS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (11 complaints), speed control (10 complaints), visibility & wipers (7 complaints).

Does the 2009 Lexus IS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Lexus IS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus IS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the IS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among IS years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.