2005 Lexus IS: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Suspension problems on my lexus is300. The front upper and lower ball joints keep going out. Tie rod ends. Front control arm. Alignment is always off. The car drives with vibrations and shimmy from left to right. Loud creeking noises. Squeak!”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lexus is300. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, a loud pop sound emitted from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the sun roof glass chattered inside of the vehicle. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was not taken in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 109,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Aug 2015
“Not sure if this is the correct forum. My car has a defect that is not considered a safety defect toyota lexus is repairing all vehicles 2006 and up leaving mine out where can I go for help please I went to servco lexus and they treated me very badly [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“One day I just got into my car after cleaning it and the dash was very sticky, I thought someone split something in my car so I wiped it down but it did nothing. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
“I have a 2005 is300 that is having a melting dashboard and panel issue. This is a well known issue in the lexus forums on the internet. The melting dashboard and panel issue is caused by the hot sun. Lexus has not acknowledge this issue and also refusing to cover the cost of repairing/replacing the defective parts. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2012
“Coasting into a parking spot , my foot not on the gas , the car took off. I had to slam my foot on the brake and with the help of the parking spot stopper the car stopped. The car felt like it was going to go over the stopper. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2012
“On the dashboard, the square of material where the srs air bag is, on the passenger side, keeps melting when it's exposed to heat. The airbag decomposes over time due to an error in design/manufacturing, and that lexus is aware of the situation due to other customers that have had the same problem. I have safety concerns about the condition of the air bag as this continues to deteriorate overtime. This situation may affect the quality and strength of the air bag. . After research I discovered this problem has occurred in lexus vehicles as far back as 2002.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2011
“I own lexus is300, year 2005. Mileage approx 10,000 only. For approximately 1 year the gear shift selector lever sticks in park and requires that I press the shift lock override button. This has happened approximately 6 times. On the last occasion, when I was able to move the selector lever, the engine started racing, the car shot forward and resulted in a most serious series of collisions, first into a parked car then after mounting the sidewalk it smashed into two houses. I sustained a wrist fracture and bruises. All this happened in the space of about 2 seconds. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2008
“The front tires are wearing out faster on the inside (camber) than the rest of the tire. The dealer lexus (is300) said that's the way the manufacturer made it .I was never told this would happen when I bought the vehicle. *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2007
“Lexus is300, 2005 5 speed. I bought this car brand new on june 2005. After 2900 miles the clutch had to be replaced by lexus. They claim that I drive with the foot on the clutch pedal (which I don't). I have driven stick shift since I was in college over 30 years ago. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact IS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Lexus IS reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 Lexus IS. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2005 Lexus IS have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.