Lexus IS airbag problems

AIR BAGS

The dashboard on my 2012 Lexus IS 250 has developed significant cracking across the surface despite the vehicle being garage-kept, low mileage, and well-maintained throughout my ownership. The cracking is not the result of any accident, impact, or misuse — it appeared spontaneously and has progressively worsened over time. Lexus acknowledged this as a known defect by establishing Customer Support Program ZLZ, which provided extended coverage specifically for dashboard, instrument panel, and interior trim panel cracking on certain Lexus models. The existence of this program confirms that Lexus was aware of a systemic manufacturing or materials defect affecting these vehicles. My vehicle fell outside the ZLZ coverage window by a matter of months. Despite my appeal to Lexus National Headquarters citing my long-term ownership, the vehicle’s low mileage, and the timing of the condition’s appearance, Lexus has declined to provide any assistance and has stated this is their final position. I am filing this complaint to document this defect and contribute to the record of affected owners. Dashboard cracking of this nature is not only a cosmetic issue — a deteriorating dashboard can cause glare, distraction, and potential visibility impairment for the driver, which raises legitimate safety concerns. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether Customer Support Program ZLZ adequately addressed the full scope of affected vehicles and owners, and whet

NHTSA complaint #11745928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

There is a common issue with these makes and models with the drivers side knee air bag having issues with connecting which cause the SRS light go on the dashboard. I called Lexus corporate office and local dealer and they said there was a recall but it expired in 2020. From the research i did, this was a small window and there shouldn’t have been an expiration on the recall for something that is a safety hazard. Because of this, they are charging thousands for this issue that has affected hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11611967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

My 2006 Lexus IS350 is subject to NHTSA Recall number 16V340, for passenger airbag replacement. According to the diections on the NHTSA website shown in the following link: [XXX] The dash pad needs to be removed to access the airbag and perform the repair. Ive contacted my 3 local Lexus dealers and was told in various ways that they do not remove the dash to accomplish the repair but instead just remove the glove compartment and associated parts to access the airbag. I wanted the dash replaced (it was cracked) when the old dash was removed to do this recall repair. SInce the dealers do not actually remove the dash, I was told this was not possible. One dealer told me that for an extra $350, the service dept. would do the repair according to the above linked instructions. I have notified Lyndss Tor at lyndzee.tor@toyota.com as well as Toyota Quality Compliance Quality_Compliance@toyota.com and recieved no reply. I hope the NHTSA can enforce the above linked instructions so that the airbag replacement can be conducted in a proper and safe fasion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11603397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

My dash has cracked and melted due to a manufacturing defect. The Lexus dealers who I have contacted to perform the safety recall for the defective airbags will not replace the cracked dash at the same time. Having the passenger airbag deploy through a cracked dash is an apparent safety issue. Please investigate this

NHTSA complaint #11601764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Many people have have issues with the SRS warning light coming on and not going off. This issue seems to stem from harness connection issues that Lexus is aware of and have acknowledged. This needs to be fixed asap!

NHTSA complaint #11549638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Air bag light came on out of nowhere, went to take the car in for diagnosis and they stated that the issue code was the airbag B1861 is open in drivers side knee airbag squib circuit. Now all airbags are disabled due to circuit malfunction.

NHTSA complaint #11490372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

My dashboard is melting due to a manufacturing defect. The glare from my dashboard makes driving difficult as the glare can blind you. The chemical smell from the melting is horrible. I have placed a dash cover on which has helped but if I am in an accident this dash cover will impede the correct deployment of my airbag on the passenger side. Also the inside door panels are melting and are becoming a "putty" like substance. Everything sticks to it. Including my clothes. While driving I have had to jerk my arm from the rest on the door trim to remove it. This can cause my vehicle to possibly swerve off the road or into oncoming traffic. Warranty Enhancement Program – ZLD and CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZLZ were the remedies for this issue. But these have expired. The Manufacturer will not honor this or consider this a safety / hazardous issue and correct it now. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11470682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

I own a Lexus 2012 IS250 and currently active duty member stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. I was not notified that my vehicle is overdue on a safety recall until today when I am trying to ship the vehicle back to the US. What further actions can I do to get the recall done? Can I get the vehicle waivered to get the recall accomplished when it reaches the US?

NHTSA complaint #11454221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Hello ,I am in Seattle Washington. I’m emailing about my Lexus IS250 2006. A few months ago I took my car to the dealership to get the passenger airbag recall done. Immediately after getting that recall fixed. My airbag light on my vehicle came on. We did not think anything of it, we thought it would come off over time. Time has gone by the light has not gone off. So today we took our vehicle to Lexus of Bellevue. They told us that there was an issue with the driver side airbag harness. Something about tension on it or it Deteriorating. The dealership is now saying that my car is not safe. That none of the safety features airbags or seatbelts will work due to this light being on. They will not be covered because there is no recalls for this harness. I have done much research online this is a common well known issue with Lexus. Now my car is a paperweight. I do not feel safe driving my family or disabled family member in this vehicle. This part is located under the dash and has absolutely nothing to do with how me and my husband maintain or take care of our vehicle. This is Lexuses issue and should be addressed and recalled. Any help in where or how to address this further. Or any help and how to take this higher would be appreciated. At this point is my car totaled? Safe to be on the road? Ok to be insured? They are charging us 200, just to tell us the issue. Not to fix it, didn’t even take the dash apart. How do they know even know what the issue is without taking it apart? To fix this issue it will be a total of over 600. Help!!!

NHTSA complaint #11451581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

A known problem in this year of lexus is250. The knee bag wiring harness was constructed too short (lexus has a tsb regarding this, # L-SB-0007-19). The airbag warning light will often come on and stay on. When the light is on the airbag system is inoperable. Having an inoperable airbag system is a great safety concern. A mechanic at a local shop used the scan tool and identified the airbag code as related to the wiring harness for the knee air bag. This should be a recall since it is a known problem and it renders the vehicle unsafe due to inoperable air bags. If this isn't an unsafe problem justifying a recall I dont know what is. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11434233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Airbag light keeps going on and off. Looked up on google. A lot of people are having this issue. I filed for a complaint before and got no response.

NHTSA complaint #11426061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

UNKNOWN The airbag light continues to come on and off, also the check VSC keeps coming on. Not sure what the issue is. I feel unsafe and uncomfortable with this occurring!

NHTSA complaint #11424256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The wiring harness for the front passenger airbag was recalled by lexus because it is too short and frequently becomes disconnected which disables the front passenger airbag and cause the air bag light to turn on on the instrument panel. Lexus sent a letter informing me of the recall, but it was sent to my parents house and I did not receive it in time. After finding the recall letter, the pandemic also prevented me from making it to the dealership in time. The letter they sent me also had no markings to indicate it was a recall or that the information inside was important in any way so the letter was easily ignored. I spoke with a lexus dealership and lexus corporate and they both refused to perform the safety repair because I was about 2 to 3 months past their deadline (June 2020?). As a result, my front passenger air bag is inoperable and any front riding passenger in my vehicle is at a greatly increased safety risk in the event of a serious crash. Lexus admitted the problem with their wiring harness and instituted a recall, so I don't think it is fair for them to potentially sacrifice the lives and the safety of my front riding passengers because of a superficial deadline. I would appreciate any help you could provide in convincing lexus to honor their safety recall for my vehicle. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11420881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL. ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONTACT VIA INSTRUCTIONS ON RECALL LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED SOMEONE WOULD BE OUT TO REPAIR IT AND NO ONE SHOWED UP.

NHTSA complaint #11416716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.