CarBrief

The 2007 Lexus IS has 388 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. It also has 11 recalls[2]. Each recall record lists a remedy[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].

388owner complaints[1]
11recalls[2]
21–24MPG combined (EPA)[14]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 388 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Lexus IS[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts. Of the total, 21 mention a crash, and the complaints report 13 injuries and 1 death[1]. None mention a fire[1].

The five largest complaint groups are:

The dashboard. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a dashboard and door panels that turn sticky and shiny. They say the shiny surface throws glare onto the windshield. This shows up under structure[15], visibility/wiper[18] and air bags[16], so the group names can mislead. Some owners also say they worry about the air bag behind the dash. These are owner concerns, and the complaints do not show that the air bags failed because of the dash.

The engine. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe warning lights such as check engine and VSC, sometimes with stalling, shaking, misfire or loss of power[19]. Some describe the engine speed rising suddenly. Some say a dealer could not find the fault or would not repair it under warranty. Engine complaints have a median failure mileage of 55,000[19].

Air bags and crashes. Air bags have the most crash mentions (10) and injury mentions (10) of the groups listed, and the 1 reported death[16]. In the air bag sample, some owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[16]. Speed control has 30 complaints, 7 of them mentioning a crash[20]. Its median failure mileage is 27,000[20]. See the recall below for a floor mat and accelerator pedal issue.

Two other groups are smaller. Exterior lighting has 28 complaints[21] and the electrical system has 24[22].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[2]. They are below, newest first. Each one covers certain versions, engines or regions, so check your VIN on NHTSA's recall page before assuming a recall applies to your car. Each recall here lists a remedy in the NHTSA record.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions of the 2007 IS. All use premium fuel. EPA's annual fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not 2007 prices.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
IS 250, manual 6-speed, rear-wheel drive[23] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
IS 250, automatic (S6), rear-wheel drive[14] 21 / 29 / 24 $3,400
IS 250 AWD, automatic (S6)[24] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,750
IS 350, automatic (S6), rear-wheel drive[25] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,900

The IS 250 automatic with rear-wheel drive has the best combined rating at 24 MPG[14]. The IS 250 manual and the IS 350 both rate 21 MPG combined[23][25].

Engine and size

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
IS 250 sedan AWD[26] 180 in 71 in 57 in 107 in 3,651 lb
IS 250 sedan RWD[27] 180 in 71 in 56 in 107 in 3,455 lb
IS 350 sedan RWD[28] 180 in 71 in 56 in 107 in 3,527 lb

The IS 250 AWD is the heaviest of the three at 3,651 lb[26]. The IS 250 RWD is the lightest at 3,455 lb[27].

How 2007 compares with other years

2001: 28 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 40 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 33 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 29 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 16 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 426 complaints, 16 recalls2007: 388 complaints, 11 recalls38820072008: 257 complaints, 11 recalls2009: 91 complaints, 10 recalls2010: 110 complaints, 9 recalls20102011: 63 complaints, 7 recalls2012: 44 complaints, 5 recalls2013: 14 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 64 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 30 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 17 complaints, 0 recalls20162017: 21 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 10 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 9 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 3 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 5 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2024: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each IS model year. The 2007 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2001280
2002400
2003330
2004290
2005160
200642616
200738811
200825711
20099110
20101109
2011637
2012445
2013144
2014644
2015303
2016170
2017212
201891
2019102
202090
202130
202251
202350
202410
202510
202610

NHTSA's counts for each Lexus IS model year show 2007 near the top. The 2006 model year has more complaints (426) and more recalls (16)[2]. The 2007 year has 388 complaints and 11 recalls, which is second for complaints and tied with 2008 for second for recalls[2]. The 2008 year has 257 complaints, and 2009 has 91[2].

Later model years mostly have fewer complaints than 2007, though not every year is lower than the one before. For example, 2010 has 110 complaints, up from 91 in 2009[2]. The 2001 to 2005 model years each have between 16 and 40 complaints and no recalls[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2007 IS?

The 2007 IS has 388 complaints[1] and 11 recalls[2]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe a sticky, shiny dashboard[15] and engine warning lights with stalling[19]. Neither is proof of what a given car will do.

Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall page and ask for proof that each recall that applies was done, especially the fuel leak recalls[4][7][10][13] and the engine stop recalls[8][11]. EPA puts annual fuel cost at $3,400 to $3,900 on premium fuel[23][14][24][25].

Frequently asked questions

What problems do owners report on the 2007 Lexus IS?
NHTSA has 388 complaints[1]. The largest groups are structure at 119[15], air bags at 87[16] and unknown or other at 59[17]. In a sample of texts we read, owners describe a sticky, shiny dashboard and engine warning lights with stalling[15][19].
How many recalls does the 2007 Lexus IS have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2007 IS[2]. They cover air bag inflators, fuel leaks, engine stop risks, wiper nuts and a floor mat issue[3][4][8][9][12].
What gas mileage does the 2007 Lexus IS get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 24 MPG across four versions[23][14][24][25]. The IS 250 automatic with rear-wheel drive is best at 24 MPG[14].
Is the 2007 Lexus IS worse than the 2006?
By NHTSA's counts, 2006 has more complaints (426) and more recalls (16) than 2007 (388 and 11)[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 388 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Lexus IS (21 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 13 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus IS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 18V432, filed June 26, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 14V647, filed October 15, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 13V395, filed September 4, 2013: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 13V030, filed January 30, 2013: Visibility / Wiper. NHTSA recall database
  10. Recall 11V029, filed January 26, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 10V309, filed July 6, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 09V020, filed January 16, 2009: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for IS 250, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. 119 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 87 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 59 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. 42 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  19. 33 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  20. 30 complaints name the speed control component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  21. 28 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  22. 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA rating for IS 250, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for IS 250 AWD, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for IS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 250 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 180 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,651 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 250 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 180 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,455 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 350 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 180 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,527 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.