Here Are The Lexus IS 250 Years To Avoid
Lexus IS250 by Altair78 — CC BY-SA 3.0
Lexus is one of the more affordable luxury vehicle brands out there, but they offer pretty good value for the money with lots of features, high reliability, and a lot of consistency between models.
With that in mind, most people are willing to trust Lexus to be consistent and durable, especially since Lexus is the luxury brand under Toyota. They benefit some from Toyota’s reputation for reliability, and plenty of loyal Toyota customers upgrade to Lexus, and Lexus drivers give Toyotas a try as well if they’re looking for more affordable vehicles.
But what about the Lexus IS 250? Are there model years to avoid, and has Lexus betrayed their reputation for reliability and durability?
Overall, no, the Lexus IS 250 is still an incredibly durable and consistent vehicle, but they do have some model years that are better than others.
Let’s take a closer look at the Lexus IS 250 and how the worst model years compare with the best.
What Are The Lexus IS 250 Years To Avoid?
Like most Lexus models, the IS 250 is relatively consistent and hasn’t really had any bad years overall. There are a few years that need a little bit of work or might need a little more TLC than other models that said, there are really only two model years we’d argue against getting:
- 2007
- 2008
That said, neither the 2007 nor 2008 model years are as bad as the worst years from less consistent models and less consistent manufacturers.
Getting the right model year with the Lexus IS 250 is a little less important than a lot of other vehicles, though some of the problems with the Lexus IS 250 are relatively serious and can cause serious disruptions to the people driving them.
That said, let’s take a closer look at some of the most common problems with the Lexus IS 250 and what causes them.
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Common Problems With The Lexus IS 250
The most common problem with the 2007 and 2008 Lexus IS 250, and the reason those are both Lexus IS 250 years to avoid, is a problem with the internal construction. They aren’t really designed for the amount of heat some climates can produce inside of vehicles, which means that they don’t always handle it well.
Let’s take a closer look and also look at the other problems that can be common in the Lexus IS 250.
Dashboard Melting
The dashboard melting is one of the more serious problems with the Lexus IS 250 and is also likely the most common of the problems.
This isn’t specific to any particular production run but instead happens relatively infrequently in both the 2007 and 2008 model years. There are a few other years that have reports of the same problem, but it’s much less common in those years.
This is a problem both because it’s unsightly and can eventually expose electronics and safety systems that aren’t meant to be exposed, and also because the fumes from melting plastic can be harmful.
Some drivers also report that shininess from the plastic as it heats and starts to melt, or over time as the dashboard degrades, can start to make the plastic reflective, causing distractions on the road.
Door Panels Melting
This is another common problem, though much less common than the dashboard melting. At the core though, the IS 250 interior plastics just don’t hold up very well the to heat in some climates, particularly anywhere that’s known for having more serious heat, especially in the summer.
Infotainment Not Working
This issue is another relatively minor problem, but one that crops up in just a few different individual vehicles. It’s most common in the 2007 and 2008 model years but does happen in a few different model years across the model.
There are a lot of different kinds of problems that go into this report when it happens. Sometimes it’s screen failures, other times it’s that the touch screen stops working, or that certain functions stop working.
That said, any signs of problems with your infotainment system should be investigated as quickly as possible.
Inside Rear-View Mirror Discoloring
This issue is relatively rare, and may also be related to various heat problems with the vehicle, or may not.
If you start to notice discoloration with your rearview mirror, the problem will likely continue to get worse over time as the vehicle ages.
Replacing the rearview mirror usually isn’t a big deal, but it is one of the only things that will prevent the discoloration from continuing to get worse over time.
That said, the new mirror may also discolor, especially if you use the OEM mirror instead of an alternative replacement.
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Intermittent Power Steering
One of the more dangerous, but also most rare problems with the Lexus IS 250, is when the power steering is intermittent and starts to go out. This can be a big issue because when the steering goes out at the wrong moment, even if it only happens for a few seconds, it can make it difficult to keep control of your vehicle.
These problems are very rare, but serious when they happen, and can be difficult to address.
Reliable Years Of The Lexus IS 250
If you’re looking to grab a Lexus IS 250 used, there are a lot of options out there that are good and reliable vehicles.
In fact, pretty much every model other than 2007 and 2008 is a good option when it comes to the Lexus IS 250. They’re otherwise reliable and consistent, plus, Lexus is one of the most dependable long-term brands, which means that the vehicles are likely to last years longer than similar vehicles from other manufacturers.
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Final Thoughts On The Lexus IS 250 Years To Avoid
Overall, there are a lot of reasons to get a Lexus IS 250, even the Lexus IS model years to avoid are overall more consistent and durable than a lot of the alternatives.
If you’re interested in getting a Lexus IS 250 it’s a good idea to look at the history of the vehicle, whether it’s had problems with melting or any of the other common issues before, and if any signs of trouble with the power steering, engine, or interior.
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