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Lexus IS: A960E Torque Converter Cold Shudder (IS250)

A960E Torque Converter Cold Shudder (IS250) is a common transmission fault on the Lexus IS on the 2005–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $250 to $2,800 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
Years
2005–2013
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
auto
System
Transmission

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

A cutaway automatic transmission torque converter showing the internal turbine and stator.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A torque converter, sectioned. The lock-up clutch inside is what shudders.

No machine-readable author provided. BerndB~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

A widely documented IS250-specific fault where the A960E automatic transmission exhibits a shudder or vibration at 45–65 km/h during light throttle cruising, most pronounced when the engine is cold or the transmission fluid is degraded. The root cause is premature engagement or slipping of the torque converter lock-up clutch. A specialised ATF fluid change (Toyota WS fluid) resolves it in mild cases; severe cases require torque converter clutch solenoid replacement or converter rebuild. Lexus issued technical guidance on fluid type as a first step.

What you would notice

  • Vibration or judder felt through the floor and seat at 45–65 km/h at light throttle
  • Shudder most noticeable in the first 5–10 minutes of driving when cold
  • Symptom largely disappears at full throttle or highway cruise
  • Smooth at low and high speeds but shudder in the mid-range cruise band

How to check it

Where to look. Torque converter lock-up clutch and solenoid pack inside A960E transmission

  1. Test drive in mixed conditions, starting cold.

  2. Drive at 50–60 km/h on light throttle and note any vibration through the floor.

  3. Repeat after 10 minutes of warmup to compare.

  4. Check transmission fluid condition — dark or dirty fluid makes the issue significantly worse.

Parts involved: Torque converter.

What it costs to put right

$250 to $2,800 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

  • “Have you ever noticed a vibration or shudder at about 50–60 km/h?”
  • “Has the transmission fluid been changed recently with Toyota WS fluid?”
  • “Has a transmission specialist looked at the car?”

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 a960e torque converter cold shudder (is250) serious on a Lexus IS?

We rate it major and common on the Lexus IS. A widely documented IS250-specific fault where the A960E automatic transmission exhibits a shudder or vibration at 45–65 km/h during light throttle cruising, most pronounced when the engine is cold or the transmission fluid is degraded. The root cause is premature engagement or slipping of the torque converter lock-up clutch. A specialised ATF fluid change (Toyota WS fluid) resolves it in mild cases; severe cases require torque converter clutch solenoid replacement or converter rebuild. Lexus issued technical guidance on fluid type as a first step.

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

$250 to $2,800 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?

Test drive in mixed conditions, starting cold. Drive at 50–60 km/h on light throttle and note any vibration through the floor. Repeat after 10 minutes of warmup to compare. Check transmission fluid condition — dark or dirty fluid makes the issue significantly worse. Look here: Torque converter lock-up clutch and solenoid pack inside A960E transmission