Is the 2011 Lexus IS 250 reliable?

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Lexus IS 250?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (20 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (3 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Lexus IS 250?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY/WIPER. Contact any Lexus dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Lexus IS 250?

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Lexus IS 250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Lexus IS 250 is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Lexus IS 250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is air bags problems (53% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving my vehicle and the vehicle 3 car lengths ahead of me put on his brakes and when i went to put on my brakes my car continued to accelerate and i had no control of the braking and ran into the back of the vehicle. my airbags failed to deploy- my car was a complete loss to the front e. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

7 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

20 complaints

53%

• I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE 3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME PUT ON HIS BRAKES AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKING AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY- MY CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS TO THE FRONT E
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE 3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME PUT ON HIS BRAKES AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKING AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY- MY CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS TO THE FRONT E”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Lexus IS 250

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 4K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE17/10/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Lexus IS 250

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Lexus IS 250

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus IS 250 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2011 IS 250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 38 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE 3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME PUT ON HIS BRAKES AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKING AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY- MY CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS TO THE FRONT E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: INTERMITTENT PROBLEM - CAR OCCASIONALLY PULLS TO EITHER SIDE, RIGHT OR LEFT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE LATEST INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED ON 7/29/11, SHOWING THE STEERING WHEEL SPINNING 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHILE DRIVING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE 3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME PUT ON HIS BRAKES AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKING AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY- MY CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS TO THE FRONT E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TAKATA RECALL DONT KNOW EXACTLY BUT FEEL VERY UNSAFE, SCARE WHEN SITTING AT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN EVERY TIME THE CAR TURNS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)