2009 Lexus IS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Lexus IS has 40 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 85, and 2 recalls, ranking 4th worst of 21 model years. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by engine complaints (33% of the total, median failure mileage 12,500).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 IS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 40
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2009 Lexus IS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine13 (33%)
- Other12 (30%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (18%)
- Electrical System6 (15%)
- Structure & Body5 (13%)
- Airbags4 (10%)
- Brakes3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or slowing down, sometimes with no floor mat present.
- Some describe the vehicle surging or lunging forward on its own while braking, leading to crashes into curbs or parked objects.
- Rear axle vibration reported at low mileage, causing an unstable ride and blurred rearview mirror image at highway speeds.
- Emergency/parking brake reported as ineffective on inclines and failing to stop the vehicle in an emergency.
- Owners describe difficulty maintaining steering control on uneven pavement or mid-curve grade changes.
- Sunroof glass reported shattering while driving, and dashboard material reported becoming sticky and glare-prone in sunlight.
2009 Lexus IS recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V029000Jan 26, 2011Fuel System244,779 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Engine4,445,056 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
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.
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.
2009 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other IS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Lexus IS reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 40 complaints and a complaint index of 85 for the 2009 IS, ranking 4th worst among 21 model years and earning an Avoid verdict relative to other IS years.
- What are the main problems with the 2009 Lexus IS?
- Engine complaints make up 33% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 12,500 miles, followed by visibility/wiper issues (18%) and electrical system problems (15%).
- Does the 2009 Lexus IS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 IS: one for a fuel pressure sensor leak (campaign 11V029000) and one for accelerator pedals getting trapped by floor mats (campaign 09V388000).
- How does the 2009 Lexus IS compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 85 is lower than 2006 (100), 2007 (95), and 2008 (90), but still high enough to rank 4th worst of 21 years and receive an Avoid verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Lexus IS?
- The 2009 IS is rated at 18 mpg combined (16 city/23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 according to the EPA.