The 2009 Lexus IS F has 5 recalls, all centered on the front passenger airbag inflator, which can rupture with enough force to send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Every recall on this vehicle involves the same Takata-related passenger-side frontal airbag inflator. Over time, exposure to heat and humidity degrades the propellant inside the inflator, causing it to build excessive pressure. When the airbag deploys, the inflator can burst, scattering sharp metal fragments toward anyone in the front passenger seat. Some filings specifically target vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Gulf Coast states, where the propellant breaks down faster due to sustained heat and moisture cycling, but the underlying hazard is the same regardless of where the vehicle has been registered. Prior repair attempts under earlier filings did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for what is essentially one defect. Owners of this vehicle should verify their VIN against all five campaigns, as a vehicle that was remedied under one filing may still be open under another.
