Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2004 Lexus IS with NHTSA between 2012 and 2015.
The largest single group is the other & unspecified.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 12
Against the median year of the Lexus IS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Lexus IS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
541.7%
Median failure at 59,000 miles
Body & Structure
325.0%
Median failure at 70,461 miles
Airbags
325.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 101,350 mi
Wheels
18.3%
Median failure at 103,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
330.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
440.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2012peak 3Oct 2015
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 40,000 milesOrlando, FL1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005. IT HAD 300 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD A STUCK VENT SINCE 8 BOUGHT IT ON TO OF THE DASH AND THE REPAINT THAT NOW LOOKS LIKE CRAP. BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD. I HAVE BEEN BURNT BY THE MELTING WHATEVER IT IS MAKE OF. IT HAS STUCK TO MY HAND AND LEFT A BLISTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY OTHERS MODELS WERE RECALLED AND NOT THE 2004 IS300???? ODVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IF YOU ARE RESEARCHING TO BUY A LEXUS SAVE YOUR MONEY!
NHTSA complaint #10746544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,350 milesEL Paso, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY 2004 IS300 WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE (SATURN) HIT MY CAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, DAMAGING THE SUSPENSION, FENDER, BUMPER, AND SURROUNDING PARTS. AFTER IMPACT MY CAR WENT UP THE CURB, OVER SOME LARGE ROCKS AND RESTED ON AN INCLINE. I SUFFERED NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK PAIN AND WAS TREATED BY A CHIROPRACTOR. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10669938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesLawton, OK
AIR BAGS
MELTING DASH BOARD TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER, LEAVES RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND WHEN YOU TOUCH IT REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN COOL OR HOT AREAS.
NHTSA complaint #10781367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesLawton, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MELTING DASH BOARD TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER, LEAVES RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND WHEN YOU TOUCH IT REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN COOL OR HOT AREAS.
NHTSA complaint #10781367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesOrlando, FL1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005. IT HAD 300 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD A STUCK VENT SINCE 8 BOUGHT IT ON TO OF THE DASH AND THE REPAINT THAT NOW LOOKS LIKE CRAP. BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD. I HAVE BEEN BURNT BY THE MELTING WHATEVER IT IS MAKE OF. IT HAS STUCK TO MY HAND AND LEFT A BLISTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY OTHERS MODELS WERE RECALLED AND NOT THE 2004 IS300???? ODVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IF YOU ARE RESEARCHING TO BUY A LEXUS SAVE YOUR MONEY!
NHTSA complaint #10746544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesIrvine, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2004 LEXUS IS300 AND HAVE THE SAME DASH MELTING ISSUE THAT OTHER PEOPLE IS HAVING. STARTING FROM 2007 THE DASH STARTED TO MELT AND TOOK TO DEAL BACK THEN AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. RECENTLY GOT A LETTER FOR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE FOR MY OTHER 2007 LEXUS ES350 WITH SAME ISSUE OF MELTING DASH. I THINK LEXUS SHOULD ALSO DO A REPLACEMENT FOR ALL 2004 IS300 FOR DASH PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10731793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesAurora, IL
AIR BAGS
2004 LEXUS IS300 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2008. AS EVIDENCED BY MANY CLAIMS ON DIFFERENT LEXUS/TOYOTA VEHICLES THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE IS "MELTING." 2006 AND UP LEXUS IS MODELS HAVE AN EXISTING RECALL. 2002-2005 LEXUS IS MODELS DO NOT HAVE THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. BEING A FATHER OF A 5-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE MY SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THREEFOLD... 1. FUMES AND/OR VAPORS BEING RELEASED INTO THE AIR AND BEING INHALED BY MYSELF AND/OR DAUGHTER. 2. AIRBAG PANEL IS AFFECTED AND WORRIES ME THAT DEPLOYMENT MIGHT BE AFFECTED. 3. GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD FROM MELTING PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10716277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerritos, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. WHEN TOUCHED IT LEAVES PRINTS AND FEELS STICKY. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR A FEW YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I'M CONCERNED IT MAY BE TOXIC.
NHTSA complaint #10716209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesAurora, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2004 LEXUS IS300 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2008. AS EVIDENCED BY MANY CLAIMS ON DIFFERENT LEXUS/TOYOTA VEHICLES THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE IS "MELTING." 2006 AND UP LEXUS IS MODELS HAVE AN EXISTING RECALL. 2002-2005 LEXUS IS MODELS DO NOT HAVE THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. BEING A FATHER OF A 5-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE MY SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THREEFOLD... 1. FUMES AND/OR VAPORS BEING RELEASED INTO THE AIR AND BEING INHALED BY MYSELF AND/OR DAUGHTER. 2. AIRBAG PANEL IS AFFECTED AND WORRIES ME THAT DEPLOYMENT MIGHT BE AFFECTED. 3. GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD FROM MELTING PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10716277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,350 milesEL Paso, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY 2004 IS300 WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE (SATURN) HIT MY CAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, DAMAGING THE SUSPENSION, FENDER, BUMPER, AND SURROUNDING PARTS. AFTER IMPACT MY CAR WENT UP THE CURB, OVER SOME LARGE ROCKS AND RESTED ON AN INCLINE. I SUFFERED NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK PAIN AND WAS TREATED BY A CHIROPRACTOR. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10669938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,675 milesEL Paso, TX
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 LEXUS IS300 IS MELTING; FEELS STICKY TO THE TOUGH, FINGERPRINTS CAN OCCUR, SCRATCHES VERY EASILY, AS TIME GOES BY IT BECOMES LESS AND LESS ATTRACTIVE, HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH IT, AND WHILE CLEANING IT. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND THERE IS NO REMEDIATION ON THEIR PART.
NHTSA complaint #10669951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,247 milesIndialantic, FL
STRUCTURE
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE PLASTIC IS STICKY AND LEAVES A BLACK FILM ON ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT INCLUDING FINGERS AND CLOTHING. THE BLACK RESIDUE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF ONCE IT IS ON SOMETHING. JUST WASHING HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH SOAP AND WATER IS NOT ENOUGH TO REMOVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10652898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN DETERIORATING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. CONTACTED DEALER AND LEXUS HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AS CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I EXPECT BETTER FROM A SO-CALLED LUXURY VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER'S 1998 ACURA'S DASHBOARD IS STILL PRISTINE. NOT ONLY DOES THE MELTING MATERIAL LEAVE BLACK MARKS ON ANYTHING IT TOUCHES, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT TOXICITY.
NHTSA complaint #10627142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
WHEELS
THERE IS A DANGEROUS POTHOLE EASTBOUND ON LIE NEAR FRESH MEADOWS EXIT. DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE POTHOLE WAS UNAVOIDABLE AS WE WERE LESS THAN 20 FEET BETWEEN THE CAR AHEAD OF US. THE POTHOLE WAS ON THE MIDDLE LANE. IT RESULTED IN A FLAT, A TOW, AND A BRAND NEW TIRE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10458729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.