Things to look for when buying a Lexus is350 / is250. ( is350/ is250 common problems ) 

Just scooped a 2013 IS 250 with only 34k miles on it. Luke riding a dream!!

Nice video! Always good to let folks hear around what's common. These are all fairly common issues not nearly as isolated as some. In the end of the day, with regular maintenance & knowing some minor issues like this the IS honestly one of the top vehicles to own as far as lifetime cost / owner satisfaction. Personally I have had a few from 2007 to 2014, I have experienced carbon buildup (fixed both under TSIB), brake caliper lockup (that was a hefty cost cause the dealer made me feel it was my fault..) I honestly could not recommend a better car if overall the Lexus IS appeals strongly to you. With that said due to other brands being SOOO competitive in this category, the on board electronics, tech integration is far far behind Germans & lead my last purchase to be a new s5 Instead of the new is500 if anyone local LI NY needs/wants weathertech front mats, heatshield sunshade, oem cargo organize net for 2014+ I have them sitting to giveaway. Have a wonderful summer everyone!

Good ass video dude I’m looking at an automatic 250 in the morning and this some good info

If you happen to pick up an older IS 250 with under 100k miles it's good to proactive and use fuel injector cleaner regularly as it will delay or maybe even prevent that carbon build up issue from getting worse on a higher mileage IS 250.

Fuel won't help the 2.5 clean the valves at all, in fact that's the entire reason they carbon clog to begin with. Being direct injected to the cylinder, the fuel doesn't enter the intake manifold and even have a chance clean the valves. The oil recirculation system then sends exhaust gases into the intake and onto the valves also. A slight valve overlap allows a bit of fresh intake air help clean up the exhaust gases but only marginally. Using a high grade synthetic oil will get the some additives to clean up the valve train in a few OCI's, IF it isn't too bad. If not, walnut blast the intake once every years or so, intake cleaning sprays for GDI's or Seafoam are not a good choice in Lexus, as opposed to working very well in Mazda's and other GDI's. Use high temp ceramic brake lube on the slide pins, NOT NEVER SIEZE, very common with countless brands and models.

Super video. dealt with some of these issues myself.

Thanks for making this video! Quarantine has me shopping for Lexus’s a few times a week, haha. I’m thinking about getting an IS250 also.

Keep up the good work

Thank you for this video! I was aware of the instrument cluster light issues but not the other stuff. Just about to pick up a 2010 is 350 in 2 days. Very excited

Good video! I had a '06 350 for 8 years before trading it in for a '16 350 FSport USB. I had 210K miles on the '06, it was 100% dealer-serviced, and it ran like new. I only gave it up, because I wanted more safety features like the BSM. I had a seized brake caliper once and was able to get Lexus to replace the dash and door panels before the replacement program ended. In reference to the alignment, you are correct, get the car aligned every 6 months and you will not have uneven wear issues. It's a Lexus, you have to pay to play. :-)

Come to nevada and Arizona if u think those places are hot u in for a show😭 ill still give u the thumbs up

I have an is350 2007 everything is perfect just make sure to check your breaks, have your breaks bleed, change the oil every 3-5k miles and use useable kn filters to keep intake clean from debris. Only mechanical issue were from the hid headlights going out after every Rainey day because of cracks in the plastic housing. I got the vlands as replacement which takes years off the cars date some people confuse mines as a 2010+ model. And ofc the dashboard but you can easily get a new replacement for free from Lexus. Aside from that this car is super easy, super reliable, and above all super fun.

Great Video man !

I will add if you go for the AWD model, be sure the car wasn't lowered before. The axles are sensitive to being lowered and the wear and tear rate increases greatly. My car was previously an NYC car, and being that some roads are in bad condition....the front axles connecting to the front differential leaked grease and had to be replaced.

I have a 2008 IS250 6-speed manual 125,000 MI it's flawless it's black with black interior Lexus dealer says ultra rare

Considering I’m looking for a daily performance car. This blows any German car out of the water in terms of reliability. And it basically has 4.10 gears it’s a dig machine which is what you should want from a daily because you aren’t tracking it so top end in my opinion does not matter

Another problem is the cv axel. I have a 2006 is250 awd. 204,000 miles

This helped me a lot when I bought my 350. I forgot to thank you! Love my car so far. It did have melting door panels, but I bought materials on ebay and followed the tutorial you linked. 👃

I have a check engine light and the code reads as knock sensor on my is250 awd. Is it challenging to replace the knock sensors?

The front timing chain cover gasket leaks on all IS, and some IS F. This issue extends to most toyotas that use the v6 out of the IS like the 4Runner. It's a silicone gasket, doesn't sound that bad right? Wrong, only way to change that gasket is to pull the motor so definitely check for that leak, because its a 2-3K repair job. From what I understand it "can be done" without pulling the motor, but there is less time/labor spent by pulling the motor.

Wow, I've never seen a car need an alignment every 6 months. If someone replaced the lower control arms, tie rods etc, wouldn't that fix that issue to where the alignment would last longer than a year?

Great Video to watch. Thanks for all Info. I have 2013 IS250 and that is correct for the carbon buildup issues. I tried to call the dealership but they refused to do that thing to me, Any suggeation to whom I should call. Thanks

relatively minor issues compared to its rivals, like mercedes with M272 engine. boy that engine is real piece of work.

Timing cover seep/leak

Your forgetting the touchscreen Navi always going out

Ya my rear caliper seized up and got a rebuilt one almost ruined my new rotors 😂😂

My radios sound dont work anymore, any idea what it could be,the amp looks rusty

hi thank you for the video, i have a 2009 is 250 i have being trying to fix the ac and still no postive results. i have chnaged everything from the compressor to the condenser to the pipes and also the control panle for the ac. it only blows cool air and it is not that cold during the afternoon...nay recommendations?

Im having an egg smell sometimes with my o6 is250 140k miles , any ideas what it could be

I have a 2007 Lexus IS250 my reverse lights are red are they broke ?

Water pump... that’s an issue I had with mine when I bought it. 2008 Lexus IS 250 at 120k miles. Awful, the last guy never changed it. I was able to replace mine so she’s ok now.

i would love a is350 but no ones selling any in my area

What about compression loss in 5th cylinder of 3.5 engine? And dust inside of air intake? As I know it common problem for 3.0 engine.

This is why you tint all your windows including windshield to avoid the dashboard problem.

How do you check for the carbon build up? I bought one with about 130k miles and I don't know if the previous owners ever really looked at it

How is the tire wear since the rear tires are larger than the front? Do you do side to side rotations or just leave them for the whole life of the tire?

DRIVE HARD!!!

Basically what he's saying about these "most common" issues is that these cars don't really have any issues. Sticky dash is the most common that I've seen and it wasn't anything severe.

Alternator goes out at about 120k miles on is350

Does the 08 IS350 (or IS250 for that matter), need valve adjustments? I have 08 IS350 at 105K miles.. and I’m hearing the ticking noise.

Hey man I’m looking to buy a Lexus IS 350 2011 and I wanted to know if these have the transmission issue where a check engine code woukd come on for p2757. Or was the issue resolved for 2011 year

What is the reasonable price , lo w. Mideuim, and high, with all the issues for 2010 convertible. Red.

Looking at 350s. What years would be the best?

I definitely love the is350 but the other only thing that is pulling me back is that it needs a premium gas

Do you know how much insurance cost ?

Omg my dashboard melted

What exhaust do you have

So do you have the 250 or 350? Of you got that 350 it’s 306 on that base , or 351 on the 2GR-FSE that what I got , if it’s the 250 it’s 200-205hp it’s a dog but comfy

very odd im getting this recommendation after looking at these vehicles on the internet??? on duck duck go!!!!!

Do the is 250 and 350 have timing chain issues after 90k ??

been a while but hi did you finish the car

Is it worth buying a 2013 Lexus IS awd for $14,000 with 98,000 miles?

I have a 2006 IS 250... Just 56,450 Mi.... How much is it worth?

i think the alignment is not truth i have a lexus is 250 and never have that issue.

What years are we looking at here. I have a 2015 and I have none of these problems. ... yet if they arise

Adjustable control arms will solve alignment issues

Is the 350 also a GDI????

Melting dash...fuck that

CRANK! CRANK horsepower! Cool daily but it ain’t fast

Lexus ES 350 much better quality and less problems

Why would they make a melting car? My 99 looks better than most of these newer is models.

Bro these issues are pretty dumb 🙄

Ass dash affects all 2006 to 2012 lexus.