2015 IS250 steering pulls left/right
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 1,752
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
He has RSR Downs installed.
If your car is all stock, then for sure there is something wrong.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: TX
I was at preowned Lexus car lot about to drive a preowned Lexus similar to mine to see if it shared the same issue(since the mechanic said it was normal) the mechanic called and said he put four new tires on it and the car drove much better. I told him to just put new tires on the front since the back were fairly new. $400 for two new matching Yokohama tires. I asked for discount for the trouble and got 10% off.
Once i get the car back i will take it to an open parking lot to try the turn test and see if the steering wheel sticks and pops.
The steering that darts right and left I will have to give it a few days since that issue is a random occurrence. Here is current alignment they did yesterday.
Stay tuned.
Once i get the car back i will take it to an open parking lot to try the turn test and see if the steering wheel sticks and pops.
The steering that darts right and left I will have to give it a few days since that issue is a random occurrence. Here is current alignment they did yesterday.
Stay tuned.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: TX
Car is stock. Tires are factory specs. Replacing the front two tires has resolved the issue. Simple solution that took them four trips to the damn Lexus dealership.
2nd gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
You might want to check up just a little.
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your 'new to you' IS!
It's unfortunate your first post has to with an issue, but hopefully a solution can be found.
I think the first thing to establish is that it's not technically possible for the vehicle to pull in two different directions.
If there was a suspension or alignment issue that was causing the vehicle to pull in one direction let's say left, then it will always pull left, and it would be impossible for it to pull right.
Once the alignment or suspension issue was corrected, then it should drive straight afterwards.
This doesn't mean that you're not experiencing what you're experiencing, more so that it's very likely not an alignment issue.
First, and most obvious, place to start looking is the tires. Often belt shifts on tires can cause to wonder across the road. Since you can't rotate F Sport wheels, then inspecting the tires is the first step.
Maybe you can look at the tires and post some info:
1. Make and model of the tire
2. Front and rear sizes (we assume the vehicle has the correct size tires on it, but never hurts to double check, and takes a few minutes)
3. Tread depth and condition (does it have lots of tread left and are the tires worn even...front what you can see)
4. Manufacturing date (this would be the last 4 digits of the DOT number) - First 2 digits are the week, and second 2 digits are the year (if they are the original tires, they were likely manufactured in 2014, or maybe 2015)
It's unfortunate your first post has to with an issue, but hopefully a solution can be found.
I think the first thing to establish is that it's not technically possible for the vehicle to pull in two different directions.
If there was a suspension or alignment issue that was causing the vehicle to pull in one direction let's say left, then it will always pull left, and it would be impossible for it to pull right.
Once the alignment or suspension issue was corrected, then it should drive straight afterwards.
This doesn't mean that you're not experiencing what you're experiencing, more so that it's very likely not an alignment issue.
First, and most obvious, place to start looking is the tires. Often belt shifts on tires can cause to wonder across the road. Since you can't rotate F Sport wheels, then inspecting the tires is the first step.
Maybe you can look at the tires and post some info:
1. Make and model of the tire
2. Front and rear sizes (we assume the vehicle has the correct size tires on it, but never hurts to double check, and takes a few minutes)
3. Tread depth and condition (does it have lots of tread left and are the tires worn even...front what you can see)
4. Manufacturing date (this would be the last 4 digits of the DOT number) - First 2 digits are the week, and second 2 digits are the year (if they are the original tires, they were likely manufactured in 2014, or maybe 2015)
Specifically the part where you inform him that First of all it is not technically possible for a vehicle to pull in different directions, that if it pulled to one side then it would constantly pull to that side and it would be impossible for it to pull in the opposite direction. Now if you mean at the same time, then yes that would be a true statement. But I don’t think that’s what you were saying. So let’s establish that a vehicle can pull really hard in alternating directions. And I can attest to this being a fact because I am dealing with one right now, which is the reason I found this post, I am seeking a cause and solution to this very real problem. Not on my Lexus but another small front wheel drive crossover. At any speed above say 30mph it will pull considerably hard to a random side to the point you are applying enough counter steer to overcome the pulling force and then it suddenly stabilizes momentarily and then begins to pull just as drastically in the opposite direction. And that sequence of events continues for as long as you drive. It wore a set of tires that were 90%+ tread down to just about no tread in 1500 mile or less. The struts have been replaced as well as the lower control arms and all related bushings. I have set the toe to factory settings and verified with lasers. I have adjusted the toe slightly on both sides and also on each side many times, and there may be very slight changes but not enough to matter. The caster/camber is good and the tires are worn even all the way across. I’m fairly certain I am going to replace the rack and pinion because there’s really nothing else. But it acts as though the wheels are not holding the line together and which direction it pulls changes according to the geometry of the road surface and/or weight transfer with whichever wheel is getting more weight is the one that the car will follow. Now I don’t know much at all about rack and pinion units but I’m hoping that is where my problem is because that is my last option. Any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 410
From: IL
I realize this is an old post but reading your reply to another member having issues doesn’t sit well.
Specifically the part where you inform him that First of all it is not technically possible for a vehicle to pull in different directions, that if it pulled to one side then it would constantly pull to that side and it would be impossible for it to pull in the opposite direction. Now if you mean at the same time, then yes that would be a true statement. But I don’t think that’s what you were saying. So let’s establish that a vehicle can pull really hard in alternating directions. And I can attest to this being a fact because I am dealing with one right now, which is the reason I found this post, I am seeking a cause and solution to this very real problem. Not on my Lexus but another small front wheel drive crossover. At any speed above say 30mph it will pull considerably hard to a random side to the point you are applying enough counter steer to overcome the pulling force and then it suddenly stabilizes momentarily and then begins to pull just as drastically in the opposite direction. And that sequence of events continues for as long as you drive. It wore a set of tires that were 90%+ tread down to just about no tread in 1500 mile or less. The struts have been replaced as well as the lower control arms and all related bushings. I have set the toe to factory settings and verified with lasers. I have adjusted the toe slightly on both sides and also on each side many times, and there may be very slight changes but not enough to matter. The caster/camber is good and the tires are worn even all the way across. I’m fairly certain I am going to replace the rack and pinion because there’s really nothing else. But it acts as though the wheels are not holding the line together and which direction it pulls changes according to the geometry of the road surface and/or weight transfer with whichever wheel is getting more weight is the one that the car will follow. Now I don’t know much at all about rack and pinion units but I’m hoping that is where my problem is because that is my last option. Any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Specifically the part where you inform him that First of all it is not technically possible for a vehicle to pull in different directions, that if it pulled to one side then it would constantly pull to that side and it would be impossible for it to pull in the opposite direction. Now if you mean at the same time, then yes that would be a true statement. But I don’t think that’s what you were saying. So let’s establish that a vehicle can pull really hard in alternating directions. And I can attest to this being a fact because I am dealing with one right now, which is the reason I found this post, I am seeking a cause and solution to this very real problem. Not on my Lexus but another small front wheel drive crossover. At any speed above say 30mph it will pull considerably hard to a random side to the point you are applying enough counter steer to overcome the pulling force and then it suddenly stabilizes momentarily and then begins to pull just as drastically in the opposite direction. And that sequence of events continues for as long as you drive. It wore a set of tires that were 90%+ tread down to just about no tread in 1500 mile or less. The struts have been replaced as well as the lower control arms and all related bushings. I have set the toe to factory settings and verified with lasers. I have adjusted the toe slightly on both sides and also on each side many times, and there may be very slight changes but not enough to matter. The caster/camber is good and the tires are worn even all the way across. I’m fairly certain I am going to replace the rack and pinion because there’s really nothing else. But it acts as though the wheels are not holding the line together and which direction it pulls changes according to the geometry of the road surface and/or weight transfer with whichever wheel is getting more weight is the one that the car will follow. Now I don’t know much at all about rack and pinion units but I’m hoping that is where my problem is because that is my last option. Any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
1. Search the web for the issue on that vehicle, hard to believe it’s only happening to you.
2. Wheel bearings.
You might be right with the steering rack. Something is broken or really ‘loosey-goosey’ in the suspension.
2nd gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
I’ve never encountered anything similar in my 60 years.
Ok, you’ve probably already explored the following, but sometimes an idea will give you an ‘a-ha’ moment:
1. Search the web for the issue on that vehicle, hard to believe it’s only happening to you.
2. Wheel bearings.
You might be right with the steering rack. Something is broken or really ‘loosey-goosey’ in the suspension.
1. Search the web for the issue on that vehicle, hard to believe it’s only happening to you.
2. Wheel bearings.
You might be right with the steering rack. Something is broken or really ‘loosey-goosey’ in the suspension.
You are correct, sometimes it seems so complex so you completely ignore the simple logic. I have been over everything several times though as stated. Since you mention it, one wheel bearing was recently replaced, and it wasn’t bad per se just making a little noise. But it was trying to get there. So yeah I’m gonna go with the rack now. I’ve no experience or knowledge of what is inside one or if there is more than one design. But at this point the time and money I have in it a $200.00 rack isn’t gonna be a big deal. I appreciate your input. I will try to post a follow up to share the outcome for anyone who may have a similar issue or is interested in the information.
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