So my girlfriends IS250 is having issues with the front vents where you can feel outside air coming through (while driving) when the AC/Heater unit is turned off AND the recylce air is turned to the ON state and not on the fresh air state.

She took it to the dealership yesterday and they called her today and said that this was normal. I know for sure it's not normal...I have the same exact car and mine never does this.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

Never really noticed it before.
Just noticed it today after replacing my IS cabin air filter. I tought it was normal but after driving my wife's RX and my 4Runner (just to check), now I know there is something wrong. I followed the DIY instruction in the manual. Hopefully Lexus will deal with this issue and not fault me for changing the filter myself.

I also noticed the fan blows harder when I push the refresh button ( not in auto mode) and it blows less when I switch back to recirc. What happened? It should be the other way around. At least that what happens to the RX and 4Runner.

 

i had the exact same issue before. and i took it to the dealership. they figured out it's because of the vent door was broken, and they did replace it. Now, mine is good. No outside air when the recirculate mode is on.

 

mine does that.

 

^
What he said.

 

When did she bring the car in for cabin filter replacement? I beleived, the door for the refresh is broken or jammed. I used to have the same problem before. I went to the dealer 3 times and they told me it is normal. The last time I brought it in and complaint they finally take a look at it and told me that the door is broken and replaced the hole unit for me. Bring it back to the dealer and ask them to check it out for her. If they refuse, bring it up to the upper management.

 

it's normal on our 2IS.

A lot of ppl don't like it.

I happen to like it.