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Lexus IS: 4GR-FSE Excessive Oil Consumption (IS250)

4GR-FSE Excessive Oil Consumption (IS250) is a very common engine fault on the Lexus IS on the 2005–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $3,500 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 41 documented faults on the Lexus IS.

Vehicle
Lexus IS
Engine
4GR-FSE
Years
2005–2013
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Lexus IS as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Lexus IS faults41 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The 4GR-FSE 2.5L direct-injection V6 fitted to the IS250 suffers from inadequate piston ring seal, allowing engine oil to pass into the combustion chamber and burn off. Consumption rates of 1 litre per 1,000–2,000 km are widely reported. Lexus issued extended warranty coverage in some markets and a piston ring replacement procedure. The issue is structural to the engine design and worsens with mileage. Affected units rarely throw a warning light until oil level is critically low.

What you would notice

  • Oil level drops significantly between service intervals without visible external leaks
  • Blue-tinged smoke from exhaust on cold start or overrun
  • Spark plugs fouled with oily carbon deposits
  • Oil warning light illuminates at low mileage after last top-up

How to check it

Where to look. Engine block — piston rings and valve stem seals

  1. Check oil dipstick and compare against last service date.

  2. Remove oil filler cap and inspect for heavy carbon sludge.

  3. Ask for a 1,000 km oil-consumption test if concerned.

  4. Inspect spark plugs for oil fouling.

  5. Pull service records to see how frequently oil was topped up between services.

What it costs to put right

$3,500 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “How much oil has been added between scheduled services in the last 12 months?”
  • “Has a dealer or independent shop performed any engine oil consumption test or piston ring repair?”
  • “Has the vehicle ever had a Lexus extended warranty claim related to oil consumption?”

Now check the Lexus IS you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Lexus IS buyer questions

Is 4gr-fse excessive oil consumption (is250) serious on a Lexus IS?

We rate it major and very common on the Lexus IS. The 4GR-FSE 2.5L direct-injection V6 fitted to the IS250 suffers from inadequate piston ring seal, allowing engine oil to pass into the combustion chamber and burn off. Consumption rates of 1 litre per 1,000–2,000 km are widely reported. Lexus issued extended warranty coverage in some markets and a piston ring replacement procedure. The issue is structural to the engine design and worsens with mileage. Affected units rarely throw a warning light until oil level is critically low.

How much does it cost to fix on a Lexus IS?

$3,500 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Lexus IS years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2005–2013 Lexus IS. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check oil dipstick and compare against last service date. Remove oil filler cap and inspect for heavy carbon sludge. Ask for a 1,000 km oil-consumption test if concerned. Inspect spark plugs for oil fouling. Pull service records to see how frequently oil was topped up between services. Look here: Engine block — piston rings and valve stem seals