RoadVitals

2019 Lexus IS

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest May 6, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Lexus IS, most frequently naming the tires & wheels and visibility categories. 23 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels150.0%
  • Visibility150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed May 6, 2026

On Saturday 3/14/26, while driving on Florida's Turnpike at highway speed, without interior dashboard warning lamps or other warning symptoms both rear tires failed simultaneously & disintegrated creating a potentially catastrophic driving hazard for those with me inside the car as well as others on the Turnpike. This type of failure occurring at the same time on both rear tires with relatively low mileage of 27,680 miles raises concern about a potential defect. The rear tires are the original factory tires. I do have photos + video evidence of the damaged two rear tires which were replaced on Monday, 3/16. I no longer have the damaged tires, however it may be an option to speak with Tire Kingdom. I have attempted resolution immediately following the incident from Lexus of West Kendall as well as Bridgestone. The dealership leadership advised "I should be happy those tires gave you almost 30,000 miles since these OEM tires should be replaced every 15,000 miles." He replaces his own tires every two years. The service manager stated the problem was that I drove over too many potholes & curbs without having my car aligned. He also said he lives two miles from his job & dodges 15 potholes daily going to work. I have already met in person with the service manager & have had multiple conversations & email exchanges with dealership management including Bridgestone. Bridgestone will only deal directly with the dealership. I have provided photographic & video evidence of the tire failures to all. Despite these efforts, the issue remains unresolved. Given the severity of the incident & the safety risk involved, I am requesting: Immediate escalation to a regional case manager; A formal inspection & defect evaluation of the failed tires via photos & video; Review for $758.23 reimbursement under warranty or goodwill consideration. Please advise on next steps & confirm that this case has been escalated. I appreciate your prompt attention to this serious matter.

NHTSA ID
11736087
Incident
Mar 14, 2026
Visibility
Filed May 4, 2025

The dashboard appears to be decomposing, creating a sticky top layer which in addition to being extremely uncomfortable is reflective in direct sunlight obscuring general visibility and oncoming traffic. There was a similar occurrence with previous Toyota and Lexus models: The Problem - The dashboards in certain Toyota and Lexus models, particularly those from 2003-2011, were made with a material that was prone to melting and becoming sticky under prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight. This could lead to the dashboard cracking, becoming glossy, and even oozing a sticky, shiny substance. Affected Models - Most commonly affected models included the 4th Generation 4Runner, 3rd Generation Avalon, 6th Generation Camry, 1st Generation Camry Hybrid, 1st Generation Sienna, and 1st Generation Solara. Toyota's Response - Toyota responded to the issue with various measures, including: Warranty Extensions: Toyota announced extending warranty coverage on affected dashboards to 10 years for some models. Customer Campaigns - Some Toyota models were the subject of specific campaigns to address the sticky dashboard issue. Reimbursement Programs: Toyota offered reimbursement for repairs performed on affected dashboards. Class Action Lawsuits - Several class action lawsuits were filed against Toyota and other automakers due to the melting dashboard issue. Safety Concerns - The melting dashboards could also cause glare on the windshield, making it difficult for drivers to see, which raised safety concerns.

NHTSA ID
11658790
Incident
Jan 15, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0043-23 Rev1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus IS by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025100
2024100
2023400
2022410
2021200
2020400
2019Viewing200
2018300
2017900
2016200
2015900
2014120049.1
2013900
2012180052.5
2011150042.6
2010391059.6
2009402052.6
20081023045.8
20071223050.5
20061437053.9
2005121042.2
2004101042.8
2003121049.9
2002121037.7
2001110
2000010
1999110
1998010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.