Check a VIN

Lexus IS fuel pump problems

12 of the 599 owner complaints about the Lexus IS describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
12
worst model year
2017
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2020
    1
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    1
  • 2010
    1

What owners say

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 Mar 23, 2026 · Fuel system · AR

When I start my car, every once in a while it acts as if it is not getting enough gas and lags. In the colder months it seems to do this more often and sometimes will not start. When the weather is warmer it will sporadically do this. I have put a new battery in thinking it was weak and this could be the cause for it to not want to start, but it has done this at least 5 times within the month that the battery was replaced. My VIN is not showing a recall for the fuel pump like the other 2016 IS200t models, but I’m afraid that this is the recall problem. What should I do if my mechanic says it is the fuel pump? Will it get replaced under the recall?

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I own a 2017 Lexus IS 200t that is experiencing fuel pump failure. Although I checked my VIN and confirmed there are no open recalls listed, the symptoms match the known fuel pump issues affecting other Lexus vehicles from similar model years. The only reason my vehicle is not included is because my VIN falls outside of the specific batch covered by the recall, even though 2016 and 2017 models share the same problem. Because I am experiencing the identical safety concerns reported in the recall—such as potential engine stalling and loss of power—I believe my vehicle should be considered part of the affected group. It is not safe or fair that some 2017 models are excluded based solely on VIN range when the defect clearly exists in other units as well. My vehicle is showing the same failure and should be eligible for the same repair or recall coverage. If you’d like, I can also format this as an email, a letter to Lexus corporate, or a service request message.

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Fuel system · FL

Fuel pump not reading correct amount of fuel in tank. In order to get correct fuel reading have to disconnect battery for 3 hours and reconnect battery in so I can get an accurate reading.

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Fuel system · IL

My car has had issues where the car will either not start, or the car will stall and turn off while I am driving on the road, causing my car to become a hazard for myself in the car, and other cars who have to avoid it being in the middle of the road. This first happened to me 2 years ago and I took it to a mechanic who could not identify the issue because they could not replicate it while it was in the shop. I then took it to the nearest Lexus dealership and after a few days they identified the problem as a malfunctioning High Pressure Fuel Sensor and replaced that part, which I paid for out of pocket. The issue happened again 2 months later and the Lexus dealership replaced this part again. That was 2 years ago, the warranty on that replacement ended after 1 year, and my car had the same issue again where it literally stopped and turned off while driving on the road with no warning whatsoever. No light or indicator came on until the car engine turned off and then the entire dashboard lit up. My car is currently at another Lexus dealership and they are attempting to identify the issue once again. I see that there was a Fuel Pump recall put out for other Toyota / Lexus vehicles for this exact issue, but my specific Model / VIN are not a part of this list. The descriptions and reasoning for the recall describe my exact situation, I would like to see if there is a way I am able to add my Model / VIN to this list to protect myself and others. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle as it can turn off on me at any moment on the road.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Fuel system · AL

I have been having problems with hard starts, rough idle, engine dying. My vehicle is experiencing all the same reported issues as a recall issued for a fuel pump on my make/model. My VIN however, is not covered under the recall. I've contacted Lexus and they said that if enough people complained that they could make this fall under the recall. It only has problems at idle and upon acceleration. Once a decent speed is reached, I have no problems. This is intermittent. I've also taken it to a Toyota dealership where they kept it for 2-3 days and could not figure out what the problem was, although they witnessed all the issues. I'm marking September as the date of the incident, but this has been ongoing since last year and currently giving issues.

Filed Aug 4, 2024 · Fuel system · FL

Car keeps randomly dying out while driving sometimes it comes back on sometimes It has to pull over and start the car again has a lean code pretty sure its the fuel pump noticed they have a recall on other is200t for fuel pump issues believe mine should Definitely been part of the recall it's very dangerous when it dies on the highway

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 Dec 20, 2023 · Fuel system · MD

The vehicle stalled while driving. I pulled over because as I press on the gas the car wouldn’t accelerate in speed . I turned the vehicle off and tried to start the car but it wouldn’t start . I was stranded on side the road for 4 hours to get a tow truck tow the vehicle to the Lexus dealer. No warning signs or indicators. Believe to the the fuel pump being bad and causing the issue.

Filed Nov 27, 2020 · Fuel system · 96,129 miles · GA

Vehicle in motion going 80mph on highway when suddenly jolted and vehicle did not respond to accelerator and check engine/battery lights all came on and slowed to a stop. Restarting engine did not work as it sputtered and went back to idle immediately. Fuel tank was 1/4 full, not due for oil change for another 4000 miles, tire pressure was fixed a day prior to incident, and no other problems with the vehicle. Car towed to toyota dealership where they tested and said fuel pump malfunction. Toyota and lexus already have 2 million cars with fuel pump recall, however my specific model is not included yet.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported April 8, 2026 · 9,139 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB05 and 26LA05.

Recall number 26V222000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: deliveryReported January 26, 2011 · 244,779 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 11V029000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported November 28, 2007 · 34,343 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vehicles, high stress areas may have been created in two specific fuel pipes located in the engine compartment. Combined with other factors such as the presence of corrosive agents in fuel, a crack may form over time leading to fuel leakage from the fuel line(s).
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the two involved fuel lines with newly designed lines free of charge. The recall began on december 15, 2007. Owners may contact lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.

Recall number 07V545000 · Recall details

Questions about the Lexus IS fuel pump

Which Lexus IS years have fuel pump failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (3 complaints), 2016 (2 complaints) and 2010 (1 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Lexus IS?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history