6 Most Common Lexus IS Failures: Problems And Solutions
Lexus, which is part of the famous Japanese company Toyota, is recognized as one of the best premium car brands in the world. In the last twenty years they have managed to rub shoulders with some of the most established European brands, such as BMW and Mercedes Benz. If you are interested in a car of this model, find out here the common faults of the Lexus IS and take your precautions.
The Lexus IS are a series of compact luxury executive cars that have been available since 1998. These cars are known for their good, solid performance and are known to be very reliable on the road, with few faults.
How good is the Lexus IS? Opinions!
No need to worry about IS glitches and imperfections. The car was once ranked number one in JD Power’s customer satisfaction survey, and Lexus as a company held that position for many years without a break.
The Lexus success story does not end there. Not only has it returned to the top spot, but it’s also been rated the most improved brand, as owners say dealer customer service is getting better and better.
One black spot is that the IS200’s alloy wheels are subject to corrosion, but dealers are pretty good at fitting new sets for free if the car is still under manufacturer’s warranty. The other main problem that owners point out is clutch noise, but dealerships are also usually very understanding when it comes to paying for repairs on new cars.
Common faults of the Lexus IS
This car is well known and sought after but as with all vehicles there are some well known issues with the car which is why we present you with the following list of common Lexus IS failures.
These common Lexus IS faults are to help you figure out what is wrong with your Lexus IS, or simply what you need to pay attention to in the future. We’ll also give you suggestions on what to do if your Lexus IS has one of these problems.
1- Problems in the refrigerant tubes
The coolant tubes supply the fluid necessary to keep the engine running at a stable temperature. There is a common Lexus IS failure in the system. Take a look under the hood of the car, in the left front corner of the engine.
If you can see any pink spots around the tubes in the area, then you probably have a coolant system leak.
The most likely cause of this problem is a fatigued or damaged coolant bypass hose . This can be easily replaced and will fix the problem, if you notice this fault and don’t address it then you could end up looking for more advanced faults within the engine itself.
2- Failures in the clutch and flywheel
Like all cars, the Lexus IS’s clutch and transmission is a high-wear part that is especially susceptible to fatigue. If you notice the engine or clutch shifting as the car pulls away under acceleration then this is an early warning sign that you may well have problems with this unit.
The usual culprit is the flywheel, although the entire clutch may need to be changed . This is a difficult job that requires a great deal of engineering and mechanical skill. If you think you have this problem, we recommend that you take your car to an authorized dealer, although they can also repair the car if necessary.
3- Shock absorber problems
If you hear a very soft knocking sound while driving your Lexus IS, especially when going over potholes or holes in the road, you probably have a problem with your shock absorbers.
You can test these parts by removing them from the car and checking for play in the plunger, which should offer resistance when pushed into the unit, and then return to its previous position when left alone. Although these parts are reasonably expensive , you can save yourself some money by installing a new part yourself.
4- Rear brake calipers in poor condition
There is a frequent failure of the Lexus IS with the rear brake calipers. This can be checked by driving the car at low speed and putting it in neutral; If the car drives normally, you will know that all is well with these parts. However, a sudden slowdown accompanied by a screeching sound from the rear of the car could indicate that these parts have worn out prematurely.
Again, while these parts can be a bit expensive to replace, you should be able to find and replace them in your home garage yourself.
5- Rattle in the instrument panel
Have you noticed a rattling noise coming from the center console in the center of the instrument panel? If so, there is a known clip failure problem. This clip is located behind the center console and holds the wiring in place.
You can live with it or you’ll have to remove the instrument panel to fit a replacement clip.
6- Problems with the 2.2L diesel engine
There are known issues with the 2.2L diesel engine in the IS. Have you noticed any of the following symptoms in your 2.2L diesel engine: rough running, loss of power, hesitation, or high engine temperatures ? If you have one or all of the above problems then this is an indication of a fault with the pistons. This can be a very expensive repair.
At the very least, you will have to change the pistons . It may actually be cheaper to buy a replacement motor.
To finish
If you are experiencing problems with your Lexus IS , then one way to always save money when looking for replacement parts is to search the used market. You will be able to find good parts for your car at a very reasonable price, thus saving money on any repairs you have to do.
Of course, you’ll still need to have a fair amount of mechanical knowledge, especially if you want to do a clutch change on your car, but many of the simpler jobs can be done with the right tools and a little common sense.
