2023 Lexus IS

Routine

Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Power Train1
000
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking
Filed Aug 26, 2026NY

I am reporting recurring infotainment, display, audio, and related electrical malfunctions with my vehicle that have continued despite multiple visits and repair attempts by an authorized Lexus dealership. The problems began when the vehicle was relatively new and have continued intermittently. While driving, the vehicle's audio system can suddenly cut out completely at different volume levels and without warning. When this occurs, normal audio functions are lost and the system generally does not return to normal operation unless the vehicle/system is restarted. The infotainment/display screen also intermittently shuts off, goes black, and/or repeatedly reboots while the vehicle is being operated. These failures can occur unexpectedly while driving. The display is also used to provide visual information and warnings associated with vehicle safety and driver-assistance systems, including Parking Collision Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Warning. When the screen unexpectedly shuts off, goes black, or reboots, these visual warnings can be interrupted or unavailable on the display during the malfunction. This creates a safety concern because visual information intended to alert the driver to surrounding vehicles or obstacles may not be available when expected. I am reporting the loss/interruption of the visual warnings displayed on the screen; I cannot independently determine whether the underlying sensors themselves continue operating during a screen failure. The sudden loss of t

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2026MI

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."

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 13, 2026GA

I am reporting a recurring front bumper cracking and separation issue on my Lexus IS 500. A crack developed at the front bumper seam directly adjacent to the passenger-side headlight assembly. The crack originates at the bumper mounting/retention area near the headlamp and appears to be stress-related rather than impact-related. There is a known Lexus Technical Service Bulletin addressing front bumper sag and improper retention on this model. Multiple other Lexus IS 500 owners have reported similar cracking and separation in the exact same location, including vehicles that have not been modified or involved in collisions. My concern is that: The crack appears at a structural mounting point of the bumper. Continued stress or separation may compromise bumper retention. Progressive separation could create risk of partial bumper detachment at highway speeds. The issue occurs adjacent to the headlight assembly, raising potential concern for lighting alignment or mounting stability if the condition worsens. This does not appear to be isolated cosmetic damage but rather a recurring stress point at the bumper mounting seam. If the bumper retention system is insufficient or prone to stress cracking, this could pose a potential roadway hazard if separation increases while driving. Given that Lexus has issued a Technical Service Bulletin regarding bumper sag/retention on this model, I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the front bumper attachment design presents a broader safety co

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Feb 8, 202411,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2023 Lexus IS350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the moon roof suddenly shattered, raining glass into the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 11,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 17, 2023GA

During driving an issue arose where the acceleration had to be performed in order to avoid a potential accident. The gas pedal vas depressed but the transmission would not downshift or accelerate. After about a second or more the transmission finally downshifted and the vehicle accelerated. I was able to steer out of trouble and fought the in order to do it. This is a know issue and programmed by Lexus. Who in their right mind does not allow the car to accelerate when the gas pedal is depressed. this issue ue seems to be with IS500 only. the mechanic did acknowledge a slow shift and this is by design. I am afraid to pull into traffic since the car will not go. It will start to go then slow down or back off and then after it downshifts it picks up speed. The time is so slow that I could get hit if the approaching traffic gets to me despite knowing that the distance is sufficient to safely pull into traffic. the car is unpredictable. In my other cars I have no issues like this. I have another Lexus vehicle and it does not do this. Many have reported the slow downshift and Lexus mechanic say it is by design. A downshift of one second or more at 60 miles an hour is 88 feet of travel. The car is not safe to drive because the driver is not in control. If you have to accelerate to avoid an accident or get out of the way you will not be able until the stupid car decides to. I have driven other Lexus models and they do not do this. Only IS500 does this. It is so unnatural that you pre

5 of 5 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20251000Routine
20241000Routine
2023 — this page5000Routine
20224100Routine
20212000Routine
20206000Routine
20192000Routine
20183000Routine
201710000Routine
20162000Routine
20159000Routine
201412000Routine
20139000Routine
201218000Routine
201115000Routine
201040100Routine
200940200Routine
2008102300Routine
2007122301Fatalities reported
2006143750Routine
200512100Routine
200410100Routine
200312100Routine
200212100Routine
20011100Routine
20000100Routine
19991100Routine
19980100Routine

Compare every IS year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.