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Lexus carsCode XE20

Lexus IS II problems (2005–2013)

The only engine of the Lexus IS II that we have documented, the 2.0/2.2 D-4D, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «Avoid».[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Outside the engine: Away from the engine, the second-generation Lexus IS (2005-2013) only appears in the sources for three recalls: the brake master cylinder seal (IS 250 and IS 220d), the driver's airbag gas generator and the wiper arm nuts. We have found no reliability reports for this generation.[8][9]

Lexus IS II (2005–2013)
Photo: derivative work: Altair78 (talk) Lexus_IS250_front.JPG: Luftfahrrad · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468104.3out of 10

Lexus IS II rating: low reliability

Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine2.34 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension9.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.2 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes8.01 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering9.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.2 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system7.91 fault
  • Headlights and lights8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

Ranked 107 of 111 among the saloons with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Lexus IS II

  1. 1Critical severity: Warped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D2.0/2.2 D-4D engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Defective gas generator in the Lexus IS driver's airbag (2019 alert)Airbags and safety
  3. 3Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with soot2.0/2.2 D-4D engine
  4. 4High severity: Brake fluid leak from the master cylinder rear seal (IS 250 and IS 220d)Brakes
  5. 5High severity: Front wiper arm nuts with insufficient tightening (2013 campaign)Electrical system

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Safety Gate alert A12/0832/19: driver's airbag gas generator. See the campaigns for the Lexus IS II

11 sourcesHow we work

2.0/2.2 D-4D

Toyota 2.0 / 2.2 D-4D (1AD-FTV, 2AD-FTV, 2AD-FHV) · Diesel

In the IS II
2005–2013[10][11]
Names
220d · 200d
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
77
Very high risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.2 D-4D (2AD-FTV, 136-150 hp, 2005-2015)2005–2015 · 136–150 hp · 2AD-FTV

    Avoid

    Several generations and different models (Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso, Verso) repeatedly document head gasket problems, oil consumption or dilution, and EGR and injector faults in this 2.2-litre block; have a specialist workshop check it thoroughly before buying.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

  • 2.2 D-4D D-CAT (2AD-FHV, 174-177 hp, 2005-2015)2005–2015 · 174–177 hp · 2AD-FHV

    Avoid

    This is the version the sources most consistently describe as the most problematic of the whole diesel range of these models, with head gasket, EGR, injector and D-CAT filter clogging faults documented in practically every car that used it.[2][5][6]

Faults that affect the IS II

  1. Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentCylinder head and blockWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4DYes: the 2.2-litre block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has numerous documented cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso, with repairs that sometimes require replacing the engine.Appears at around 40,000 km
  2. Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with sootYes: the EGR valve clogs with soot very frequently across the whole 1AD/2AD D-4D family, especially with urban use and short journeys, and it usually causes a loss of power or the engine warning light to come on.Appears at around 45,000 km
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionInjector wear and failureYes: the common-rail injectors fail frequently in this family, with cases documented from 30,000 km and repairs ranging from €800 (one injector) to €1,900 (several) according to the owners consulted.Appears at around 30,000 km
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlD-CAT particulate filter cloggingYes: the D-CAT particulate filter, and that of later versions without the badge, becomes saturated with soot if the car does not cover enough open-road miles, with the DPF warning light on and forced regenerations costing around €180 at a workshop.

IS II 2.0/2.2 D-4D pageAll versions and faults of the 2.0/2.2 D-4D

Faults of the Lexus IS II outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Lexus IS II

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 3,505 inspections of 1,200 cars registered between 2005 and 2013, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 8.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 8.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 14% of inspections; in cars of its age, 25.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 2.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 1.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 7.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 3.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 5.4%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 14.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.6%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Lexus IS II

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 2.0/2.2 D-4D (2005–2013)

Warped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D

Critical severity

EGR valve clogged with soot

Medium severity

Injector wear and failure

Medium severity

D-CAT particulate filter clogging

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Lexus IS II

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Lexus IS II?

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Own a Lexus IS II? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Lexus IS II reliable?

The only engine of the Lexus IS II that we have documented, the 2.0/2.2 D-4D, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «Avoid». Away from the engine, the second-generation Lexus IS (2005-2013) only appears in the sources for three recalls: the brake master cylinder seal (IS 250 and IS 220d), the driver's airbag gas generator and the wiper arm nuts. We have found no reliability reports for this generation.

What problems does the Lexus IS II have apart from the engine?

Away from the engine, the second-generation Lexus IS (2005-2013) only appears in the sources for three recalls: the brake master cylinder seal (IS 250 and IS 220d), the driver's airbag gas generator and the wiper arm nuts. We have found no reliability reports for this generation. The most important documented faults are: defective gas generator in the Lexus IS driver's airbag (2019 alert) (airbags and safety, critical severity), brake fluid leak from the master cylinder rear seal (IS 250 and IS 220d) (brakes, high severity) and front wiper arm nuts with insufficient tightening (2013 campaign) (electrical system, high severity).[8][9]

What faults does the Lexus IS II have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: warped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D (2.0/2.2 D-4D, critical severity), EGR valve clogged with soot (2.0/2.2 D-4D, medium severity), injector wear and failure (2.0/2.2 D-4D, medium severity) and d-CAT particulate filter clogging (2.0/2.2 D-4D, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Lexus IS II?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2006 (6.0/10); the worst rated is 2010 (4.5/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Lexus IS II have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Lexus IS II, such as safety Gate alert A12/0832/19: driver's airbag gas generator (2019). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[9]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Toyota Avensis (2003-2009) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Toyota Avensis (2008-2018) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Toyota RAV4 (2006-2012) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Toyota RAV4 (2013-2019) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Toyota Auris (2007-2012) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Toyota Corolla Verso : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Toyota Verso : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido), vía check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. Lexus IS (2010 – 2017): recall by airbag (alerta Safety Gate A12/0832/19)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 31 May 2019 · consulted 5 October 2026
  10. Lexus IS (XE20)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Toyota AD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026