RoadVitals

2023 Lexus IS Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
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Latest Jul 31, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Lexus IS, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Visibility116.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 concern.

NHTSA ID 11717863 · filed Feb 13, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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."

NHTSA ID 11753916 · filed Jul 31, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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."

NHTSA ID 11753916 · filed Jul 31, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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."

NHTSA ID 11753916 · filed Jul 31, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 press the gas pedal half way down and nothing. The car has to accelerate when you need to accelerate. Lexus also sells performance but it is not a performance car. Somebody is going to die due to this issue. I am nervous driving the car and I feel like I am out of control. This is a continuous problem. So far I almost got into 3 accidents due to this issue that could have resulted in a serious accidents.

NHTSA ID 11539244 · filed Aug 17, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11570824 · filed Feb 8, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .