Head gasket failure / oil consumption
usually 100,000–220,000 km · High risk
model years 2005–2011 only
Signs: Coolant loss, white smoke, oil use — Toyota extended cover on many 2006–2009 engines
Fix: Head gasket / engine repair
€1,500–5,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Lexus IS (XE20)
2005–2013
2
engines covered
7
known faults
19,292
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
9
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Lexus IS (XE20) was built from 2005 to 2013.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 7 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Head gasket failure / oil consumption: it usually appears at 100,000–220,000 km and costs €1,500–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (16.2 %), brakes (8.7 %), tyres and wheels (7.7 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.2 D-4D / D-CAT (Toyota 1AD / 2AD) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA C2 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.5 V6 direct injection (Lexus IS 250 / GS 250, 4GR-FSE) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-20 · API SN · ~6.3 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.2 D-4D / D-CAT (Toyota 1AD / 2AD)
EGR valve / intake carbon
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, rough running
Fix: Clean EGR and intake
€300–900
2.5 V6 direct injection (Lexus IS 250 / GS 250, 4GR-FSE)
Carbon build-up on intake valves (direct injection)
usually 90,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, misfire when cold
Fix: Clean the intake valves (walnut blasting)
€300–700
Water pump
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant weep
Fix: Replace pump
€250–450
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 / 2.2 D-4D / D-CAT (Toyota 1AD / 2AD) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 19,292 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.9 % | 6.6 % | 8.7 % | 11.5 % | 12.7 % |
| Suspension | 0.9 % | 2.1 % | 3.0 % | 5.4 % | 7.1 % |
| Steering | 0.3 % | 0.4 % | 0.5 % | 0.6 % | 0.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.6 % | 6.6 % | 7.7 % | 9.1 % | 9.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 7.4 % | 10.9 % | 16.2 % | 20.5 % | 20.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.4 % | 1.1 % | 2.0 % | 3.6 % | 4.2 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.7 % | 2.1 % | 3.1 % | 5.3 % | 6.9 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 977 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (9). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fire risk Fuel tank vent tube assembly could develop a crack which could lead to a fuel leak and a risk of a vehicle fire.23/01/2023 · R/2022/345
- Airbag Driver and/or front passenger airbag may fail to deploy as intended13/11/2017 · R/2017/251
- Fire risk Risk of fire26/05/2016 · R/2016/080
- Fire risk Risk of fire24/11/2014 · R/2014/135
- Engine / loss of power Front wiper may become inoperative26/04/2013 · R/2013/015
- Fuel system Fuel may leak17/02/2011 · R/2011/006
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake master cylinder may fail.08/11/2010 · R/2010/170
- Fuel system Fuel may leak15/04/2008 · R/2007/175
The other recalls (1) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026