Lexus IS check engine light comes on

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel system · LA

Component or System Failure: The low-pressure in-tank fuel pump assembly and integrated fuel level sending unit failed. While driving, the vehicle suffered sudden fuel starvation and lost all motive power. The dealership verified that the car ran out of gas because the fuel level sending unit—which is mechanically integrated into the in-tank fuel pump module assembly—failed and transmitted completely incorrect levels to the dashboard. The component remains intact at the dealership and is available for inspection. Safety Risk: My safety was put at extreme risk. At 7:30 PM in pitch-black conditions, I was traveling at 60 mph on the interstate when the engine suddenly died. Because the dashboard gauge falsely indicated a half-tank of fuel, I had zero warning. I had to desperately coast a dying vehicle across dark, active highway lanes toward an exit. I could not make the exit and was forced onto the shoulder, stopping dangerously close to active traffic. Stranding a powerless vehicle on a dark, high-speed interstate shoulder leaves occupants highly vulnerable to a catastrophic rear-end collision. Warning Signs & Symptoms: There were absolutely no advanced warning lamps, low fuel lights, or check engine messages prior to the failure. The dashboard gauge actively misled me by showing a half tank of gas. The vehicle gave zero indication of an issue until it suddenly sputtered and lost acceleration at high speed. The car then shut itself off completely on the roadside. No dash indicators illuminated until after the vehicle had died and a restart was attempted, at which point the check engine light came on.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

I am reporting a severe, unresolved safety hazard involving my 2023 Lexus IS350]. The vehicle is continuously flashing 'Braking System Malfunction,' 'Crash Light,' and 'Engine Light' alerts on the dashboard. This is the second major acceleration and braking system failure since purchasing the vehicle brand new.The authorized dealership, Meade Lexus, has repeatedly failed to properly diagnose or repair this critical braking issue over a 7-month period. On multiple service visits, the dealership documented that they simply 'lubed' the rubber around the gas cap, reset the dashboard warning lights, and returned the vehicle to me without performing actual mechanical repairs to the braking system. The service manager explicitly instructed me that I must drive the vehicle back to the dealership every single week just to have the safety lights turned off manually. Driving a vehicle with an active, un-diagnosed braking and crash-system fault is a major safety liability and makes the vehicle dangerous to operate. The manufacturer and dealer have failed to resolve this safety defect under warranty."

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Fuel system · NC

I am unable to shut the engine off to pump fuel into the vehicle. The purge valve has been replaced, that maf sensor has been cleaned the leak detector pump has been changed. The vehicle will shut off and go into low power mode while driving on Highway, the idling is rough. The check engine light will not go off. The code is reading Po171.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

The headlights continusely shot off while driving. The shift solenoid are stuck off causing the check engine light to continuously remain on. This all began 2023.

Filed Oct 3, 2025 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a transmission and radio failure. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Fuel system, Steering · CA

It was regular morning on memorial day and I had not used the car all weekend since I really dont drive unless it to and back from work. I started the engine like would any other day and the car began to shake out of nowhere. The check engine went off, the yield sign went off and the traction control went off. I thought maybe it was time to change my brakes because the dealership had recommended it. I changed my brakes and got new tires but the car still shook. I continued to drive like that to work because I had no choice it shaked mostly on idle and I drove like that for a few days on Friday as I was coming back from work on the freeway the car shook in the freeway as I exit out the freeway the car felt almost if I couldn't pick up an speed and I got extremely scared with the cars flying by. I decided not to drive and take it to a nearby mechanic I thought maybe the spark plugs or coils might be the issue but after 3 days in the shop and replacing spark plugs he confirmed it was the direct fuel pump and possibly the fuel injector....my car is only used to drive to and back from work and only has 58k miles. I believe this is a default manufacturer part and I need help recalling this particular part on my vehicle.

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

I was driving approx. 60 entering on ramp of freeway when car suddenly loses power to accelerator not entire car, i almost was hit by other drivers i couldnt accelerate or anything. I panicked then started pumping accelerator then it finally catches and sped up. I immediately got off freeway. Then next day CEL, Check VSC light and skid light all came on. This car is very dangerous. WHATCAN I DO??? I refuse to use the freeway until this problem is resolved.

Filed Mar 3, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · PR

Sudden engine stalling in the middle of a highway with extremely heavy traffic and stopped in the center lane. Needs to wait inside the car with a passenger in a very scary, tense situation and exposed to serious accident, until a towing arrive for about 1.5 hrs later. The car was towed to the dealer. Since I was in the middle of a highway, I wasn’t able to exit the car to verify the car. But, the engine stalling was compatible with fuel delivery starvation. The fuel tank was full. The starter spin and electric system was functional, so electric voltage was not an issue. No check engine light on, no alerts messages, nothing. Just suddenly engine power loose, stalling and the engine stop. Check engine light on after a lot of cranking. Never fire back.

Filed Sep 8, 2022 · Engine · HI

While driving home in the freeway, I felt my car shake then a sudden loss of power. Then my CEL started blinking and my VSC lit. Got a code for engine misfire(P0302). Is250 has a lot of cases on engine misfires because of excessive carbon build up because of how the engine is designed. My car only has 108,000miles. Lexus released a Customer Support Program for this problem but it already expired. They only gave 9 years from date of purchase for it to be eligible for the free fix. It means they are aware of the problem but my 2010 car just missed that window but I am having the same problem many IS250 owners have. It is really unsafe when you’re driving in the freeway then it suddenly loses power. Hopefully this problem gets resolved by Lexus soon.

Filed Jan 8, 2022 · Engine · CO

While stopped at a stop light vehicle RPM went very high. It reached the red zone. Vehicle started moving forward (while still on Drive and the brake pedal fully pressed). I immediately put the vehicle in Park. RPM continued to remain high. I removed my foot off the brake when the vehicle was in park. I turned the engine off, waited couple of seconds and turned it back on. At that point everything worked normally. Outside temperature was about 38 deg F. Car was not fully warmed up at the time. Floor mat had nothing to do with this incident. After restarting the engine it is working fine without any adjustment to the floor mat. Incident could have resulted in major crash or injury. Luckily it happened when the vehicle was stopped at at red light. Putting the car in PARK and turning off the engine resolved the issue. This is a serious issue on 2012 IS250. Check engine light is not on. Vehicle will be taken to the Lexus dealer for checking. If the car was in drive, this kind of revving up of the engine would have caused serious accident. Also, if I had not put the car in Park, it would have overcome the braking power and pushed the car to the intersection at red light. Engine RPM went way too high (in the red zone). This is the first incident. This 2012 Lexus IS250 has 69364 miles.