Lexus IS misfire problems

Filed May 8, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · VA · crash

Hello: I own a 2007 Lexus IS250. My vehicle has had an ongoing engine misfire issue and has run extremely rough. In addition, my SRS light and there is an issue with the driver's side knee air bag inflator connector. Finally, my dashboard, front and rear door panels have been sticky and melted over time when it is hot and there is no reason why this is occurring. The dashboard and door panels become glossy, crack and have broken off into pieces and the shine/gloss from the dashboard causes blinding while driving due to the reflection of the sun on the dashboard. These issues have been going on for a period of over 10 years and I had multiple accidents due to these numerous issues. I have reported these to Lexus corporate on multiple occasions, including in 2016 and 2017. However, Lexus has refused to fix them stating that they are aware of these issues and had the ZLJ, ZLD and ZLA warranty programs but that they had expired in 2017. However, I later found out that none of those programs had expired at the time I called Lexus's corporate office. One of their programs, the ZLD warranty program, was apparently extended until 2021, however, Lexus failed to inform most vehicle owners of this. These issues are a safety issue. They have caused my car to malfunction for over 10 years and to have accidents. Many Lexus owners have also reported about these issues in Lexus owner forums on the internet and have stated that they have had accidents due to these issues, but Lexus failed to properly inform customers of the extended warranty and refused to fix these cars. With these issues continuing and becoming worse over the years, they are no longer a warranty issue, but a safety issue for drivers. I am requesting that the NHSTA investigate this issue and require, if possible, that Lexus issue safety recalls for these known defects and fix these issues immediately to prevent car accidents.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

I am filing this updated complaint to supplement my prior complaint (the federal safety agency ID No. XXX, filed January 27, 2026) regarding a recurring, safety-critical engine defect in my 2020 Lexus IS300 RWD, 8AR-FTS engine. DEFECT: Three documented misfire events over seven weeks. The second (12/11/2025) and third (1/17/2026) each involved a temporary stall in active traffic requiring immediate evasive action. All events involved flashing MIL, reduced engine power, shaking, and abrupt deceleration. DIAGNOSIS: Authorized Lexus dealership—following 34-day retention with Lexus Technical Assistance (TAC Case XXX) and personal on-site inspection by a Lexus Field Technical Engineer—confirmed worn intake valve guide on Cylinder 3. Repair estimate: $10,355.61 subtotal per Service Bulletin L-SB-0007-21 ($10,671.72 total incl. shop supplies and tax). Estimate cites L-SB-0007-21 without mileage qualification, confirming technical applicability. TSB PATTERN — NO RECALL: Lexus has issued multiple TSBs on the 8AR-FTS engine: L-SB-0153-17 (September 2017) and L-SB-0007-21 (March 2021, revised April 17 and July 2, 2024), covering 2015-2024 model year vehicles—progressively widening applicability over three years. Both 2024 revisions occurred during the active warranty period. No recall has been issued and this consumer received no notification of any kind. A TSB is an internal dealer communication — not consumer notification. A CPO purchaser relying on Lexus's representations of comprehensive inspection and rigorous certification has a reasonable right to assume known defects were addressed, without searching technical databases. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: Lexus declined to authorize repair under warranty or as goodwill and declined to confirm authorization in writing. REQUEST: Please investigate whether the pattern of multiple TSBs covering progressively wider applicability—with no recall despite safety-critical symptoms—warrants a formal investigation and escalation to a safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

This vehicle has a recurring, safety-critical defect involving intermittent engine misfires, flashing MILs, reduced engine power, sudden loss of acceleration, and noticeable engine shaking. Despite multiple repair attempts and extended diagnostics by a dealership, with manufacturer technical assistance, the defect continues. The defect has repeatedly caused the vehicle to stall and lose propulsion while driving, creating a serious hazard. Documented events include: •FIRST INCIDENT: The MIL flashed and engine power was reduced while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for evaluation and repair. A diagnostic code confirmed a cylinder misfire. •SECOND INCIDENT: Several days after being returned to the owner, the MIL flashed again and engine power was reduced, requiring careful maneuvering. The vehicle was returned to the dealership for further repair and remained in their custody for about a month. •THIRD AND MOST SEVERE INCIDENT: A few days after being returned, the MIL flashed again. The vehicle abruptly slowed, shook, and temporarily stalled in active traffic, requiring immediate intervention to avoid a collision. The engine restarted after pulling over safely. The vehicle has undergone compression testing, coil and spark plug replacement, battery replacement, and extended diagnostics with manufacturer technical support. Despite these efforts, the defect persists, demonstrating it is intermittent and unpredictable. The combination of sudden loss of engine power, stalling, and shaking in traffic creates a foreseeable risk of collision, particularly at intersections and in situations where predictable vehicle response is critical. Videos and diagnostic evidence document these recurring failures.

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 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 18, 2019 · Engine · 71,110 miles · KY

I work for toyota/lexus manu plant in ky. My vehicle started throwing a misfire code (p0304) and check engine light came on. My car was diagnosed by lexus dealer as having carbon build up in engine (temporary repair will cost $600 to clean engine. Permanent repair that will eventually have to happen $15,000). Lexus did offer a csp on this issue and extended warranty on this issue but you could not go to the dealer and have it diagnosed until the check engine light came. The check engine light did not come on until it was out of warranty. After many phone calls and continuous complaining lexus would not stand behind their product. I finally had to file a complaint thru the warranty dept at the manu plant. Lexus finally called me back and said they would pay the $600 to clean the engine, she did tell me that the only reason they were even talking to me was because I work at the plant. I had the engine cleaned oct 2017. The dealer told me that this carbon build up will return and I will eventually need an engine replacement.

Filed Jun 19, 2018 · 73,000 miles · CA

Sticky dashboard and panels even with very minimal driving in the heat, car always parked in covered garage at work and garaged at home, low mileage car rearview mirror coating coming off random engine misfires even after performing carbon tsb

Filed Feb 3, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 203,000 miles · CO

Car runs great until check engine light comes on followed by vsc and then brake light. When those lights come on it runs rough and brakes make gear noise under driver's side hood area. Brake is very sluggish and almost non existent when it fails. Let it set, clear fault and runs fine until warm again. Have had all brakes checked and in good condition by mechanic today and problem persists. Appears to be an ecu or other electrical and not mechanical problem. Is extremely dangerous and should be addressed by manufacturer.

Filed Jan 3, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 104,000 miles · OH

In august 2012 my car's engine light and vsc light came on. I took the car to the dealer and they found multiple misfires. The dealer replaced the gasket and 3 pistons and ring sets under warranty. My car engine has continued to intermittently shudder when moving and when idling at stop lights. Today (1/3/17) I was driving on the highway at normal speed and once again my engine light and vsc light are lit up. I received the 9 year extended warranty for carbon buildup, but it only covers me through 3/8/17. If I have carbon buildup again after that, it will cost me $2,000-$3,000 to fix. The engine failure in these is250s (2006-2013) is rampant and the car model needs to recalled and replaced.

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Engine · CA

2009 lexus is 250 at only 63000 miles. Engine random misfires on cold start. Car shakes badly. Check engine light, traction control light comes on. Engine error codes p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306. When engine RPM drops from high to low, -4000rpm to -500, it some times stalls. Car has to add engine oil about 3 quarts between 8500 miles change intervals. Problems stated at less than 50000 miles, getting worse and worse.