114 of the
808 complaints filed about the Lexus IS
are about the other systems —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
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.
Hello: I own a 2007 Lexus IS250. My vehicle has had an ongoing engine misfire issue and has run extremely rough. In addition, my SRS light and there is an issue with the driver's side knee air bag inflator connector. Finally, my dashboard, front and rear door panels have been sticky and melted over time when it is hot and there is no reason why this is occurring. The dashboard and door panels become glossy, crack and have broken off into pieces and the shine/gloss from the dashboard causes blinding while driving due to the reflection of the sun on the dashboard. These issues have been going on for a period of over 10 years and I had multiple accidents due to these numerous issues. I have reported these to Lexus corporate on multiple occasions, including in 2016 and 2017. However, Lexus has refused to fix them stating that they are aware of these issues and had the ZLJ, ZLD and ZLA warranty programs but that they had expired in 2017. However, I later found out that none of those programs had expired at the time I called Lexus's corporate office. One of their programs, the ZLD warranty program, was apparently extended until 2021, however, Lexus failed to inform most vehicle owners of this. These issues are a safety issue. They have caused my car to malfunction for over 10 years and to have accidents. Many Lexus owners have also reported about these issues in Lexus owner forums on the internet and have stated that they have had accidents due to these issues, but Lexus failed to properly inform customers of the extended warranty and refused to fix these cars. With these issues continuing and becoming worse over the years, they are no longer a warranty issue, but a safety issue for drivers. I am requesting that the NHSTA investigate this issue and require, if possible, that Lexus issue safety recalls for these known defects and fix these issues immediately to prevent car accidents.
NHTSA complaint #11736572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle's dashboard was melting. I thought it was some kind of condensation. When trying to wope it, sticky gook came off on my papertowel explosing the bottom level.of the dashboard. I went through all the levels all.the way to Corporate Lexus legal in TX as the fumes were making me sick. I am a senior citizens who was not planning on buying another vehicle as I drive very little. After 4 months with no help from Lexus having symptoms of anxiety, confusion, headache and extreme fatigue, I pushed myself to go drive to dealership which was s lot further than I was comfortable driving thr car in that condition. I told them I did not want another Toyota or Lexus so Itraded it in for a larger used vehicle than so I did not gave to drive the Lexus home. I was feeling even worse after the ride yhere and had developed a nagging little cough that does not go away. I also googled my symptoms which sound like Neuroinflammation that could be associated woth a melting dashboard. This has been a horrible experienced for me all around. I have plenty of documentation with Toyota/Lexus.
NHTSA complaint #11736656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard of our 2011 Lexus IS has begun to "melt," for lack of better words. We have owned the car since 2011 and it has approximately 162000 miles now. The problem has arisen over the last two years or so and is a known issue for cars of that period. Lexus claims they had an enhanced warranty program for this issue, but we were never contacted and the issue was not an issue then, but clearly this is a known defect in their materials. Replacing the dash on our own would be very costly. The glare resulting from this is terrible. I have reached out to Lexus and they will not take responsibility for the faulty material and I am concerned this is a serious safety issue as visibililty is affected. Rather than a warranty enhancement, I urge a recall to prevent accidents.
NHTSA complaint #11725593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety concern with my Lexus IS 250. The dashboard in my vehicle is melting and has become extremely sticky, shiny, and reflective. As the material deteriorates, it creates significant glare on the windshield when sunlight hits the dashboard. This glare interferes with my visibility while driving and creates a potentially dangerous situation for myself, my family, and other drivers on the road. This issue is not merely cosmetic. The deteriorating dashboard material directly affects safe vehicle operation by impairing the driver’s ability to clearly see through the windshield, especially during daylight conditions when sunlight reflects off the dashboard surface. In addition, the dashboard material appears to be chemically breaking down. The surface remains sticky and continues to degrade over time, raising concerns about possible chemical exposure inside the vehicle cabin for my family I contacted my local dealership and also reached out to **Lexus corporate customer service. I was informed that Lexus previously had a Customer Support Program addressing melting dashboards, but the program expired in September 2021. I was told notification letters were sent in March 2019, but I never received one. Had I received the notice, I would have addressed the issue because it directly affects driving safety. They said there was nothing else they can do. Given the ongoing safety risk, I respectfully request that the **National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this defect and determine whether further investigation or action is warranted. Thank you for your time
NHTSA complaint #11723890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard on our vehicle has started to "melt." While there was a warranty enhancement program in the past (we did not receive notice), the problem has developed after the window for repair closed. This is a true safety issue now as visibility from the front windshield is hindered due to reflection. The dealer has asked us to contact Lexus and Lexus will not help us anymore, stating this is an out of pocket repair. Given that this is a known defect and a potentially serious safety issue, I urge you to initiate a true recall.
NHTSA complaint #11719069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I've owned my 2014 Lexus IS 250 for over 10 years. I've almost always kept my car covered in a garage at work and at home, and I've never had a problem with the dashboard until now. Just last month (October 2025), my dashboard started melting and getting extremely shiny and sticky during the day - so much so that I can't see out my front windshield because of the glare from the shiny dashboard, making it very dangerous to drive. After my car is out of the sun for a while (like my garage), the dashboard eventually cools down and is no longer shiny or sticky. It has a cloudy, smudged look. However, once I start driving again during the day, the sticky, melting, and shiny dashboard returns. I've tried calling Lexus Corporate to assist with this serious safety issue, but they refuse to help, claiming my car wasn't part of the sticky, melting dashboard campaign. I am extremely disappointed with Lexus Corporate, as my family and I have been very loyal Toyota / Lexus customers for over 35 years. I've taken my car to my local Lexus dealer for inspection, who has confirmed the issue and provided me a quote to replace the dashboard for over $2,400. I hope Lexus Corporate would reconsider and do the right thing by replacing my faulty, dangerous dashboard.
NHTSA complaint #11700408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Exterior driver's door mirror failure. The mirror is insecure, loose, unstable, not secured to the door, and rotates freely on its own. This condition makes it impossible and dangerous for the vehicle's driver to observe any vehicle approaching from the rear, left of the driver's side. The mirror is not secured to the vehicle's driver's door and spins freely. The driver cannot observe any approaching vehicles when pulling out from a parallel parking spot. This condition is this vehicle's "2nd" such incident. Previously, this identical situation happened to the mirror mounted on the passenger side door about 2 years earlier. The maintenance record is on file at the dealership. I paid the Chatham Lexus Dealership approximately $1000.00 to correct this.
NHTSA complaint #11681254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicles manufactured by Lexus/Toyota from 2014 onward have been reported to experience rainwater intrusion into the trunk area, attributed to a faulty tail light nut composed of plastic with a rubber gasket. Lexus/Toyota is fully aware of this issue, which can lead to water damaging electrical components or result in trunk flooding if the problem goes unnoticed.” Causing expensive damage to audio system.as it did with mine.
NHTSA complaint #11681139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car experienced sudden unintended acceleration. I was at a stop light preparing to turn right when my car accelerated of its own accord crashing into the vehicle in front of me. My foot was firmly on the brake, but I had lost control over the vehicle. Whatever electrical defect I experienced, it was sufficient to rev the engine by itself and override the braking system enough that the vehicle advanced forward in an out-of-control manner. It was unintended, unexpected and beyond my ability to control. Failing to recognize the braking system, my vehicle collided into the vehicle a second time. Because my foot was on the brake and my vehicle still advanced forward, I initially thought I had been hit from behind. However, the erratic RPM behavior and the vehicle's continued acceleration while braking confirmed I was no longer in control of the vehicle. Acting promptly, I immediately took the gear shifter out of drive and put into neutral. It was then and only then that I regained control of the vehicle: it stopped accelerating, stopped revving of its own accord and began responding to the braking system. Please note: my foot was not on the gas pedal, for as soon as I took it out of drive, the RPM returned to normal (i.e. the erratic behavior indicated by the tachometer's RPM, stopped). Had my foot been on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal, the revving would have continued to behave as before; but it did not. (I do not have an all-weather floor mat. It is neither here nor there, because in the event that I did have one, you would expect the RPM behavior to continue when put into neutral; but again, all behavior returned to normal when the vehicle was put in neutral.) Though I am sympathetic to those that panic in a moment of distress, I was of a present enough mind to know what was happening. An electrical engineer with intimate knowledge of the computer system for this vehicle would be the best to assess what went wrong from a technical perspective.
NHTSA complaint #11680755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard is melting leather, as well as the inside door panels on all four doors that are leather. It burns my wife’s skin and my kids while leaving sticky black residue on our skins. It is melting so bad there are chunks missing from the leather from a simple rub.
NHTSA complaint #11672963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was in a vehicle accident on March 30. A accident that could have been avoided if the horn on the IS350 2021 was louder. The vehicle that collided into my vehicle was a Dodge Ram that was hauling a travel trailer which was what hit me. I tried honking various times to let the driver know that I was present and that they were merging onto my lane and I believe due to the weak sound of the horns installed in these vehicles the driver of the other car did not hear my warnings and collided into me.
NHTSA complaint #11659846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard appears to be decomposing, creating a sticky top layer which in addition to being extremely uncomfortable is reflective in direct sunlight obscuring general visibility and oncoming traffic. There was a similar occurrence with previous Toyota and Lexus models: The Problem - The dashboards in certain Toyota and Lexus models, particularly those from 2003-2011, were made with a material that was prone to melting and becoming sticky under prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight. This could lead to the dashboard cracking, becoming glossy, and even oozing a sticky, shiny substance. Affected Models - Most commonly affected models included the 4th Generation 4Runner, 3rd Generation Avalon, 6th Generation Camry, 1st Generation Camry Hybrid, 1st Generation Sienna, and 1st Generation Solara. Toyota's Response - Toyota responded to the issue with various measures, including: Warranty Extensions: Toyota announced extending warranty coverage on affected dashboards to 10 years for some models. Customer Campaigns - Some Toyota models were the subject of specific campaigns to address the sticky dashboard issue. Reimbursement Programs: Toyota offered reimbursement for repairs performed on affected dashboards. Class Action Lawsuits - Several class action lawsuits were filed against Toyota and other automakers due to the melting dashboard issue. Safety Concerns - The melting dashboards could also cause glare on the windshield, making it difficult for drivers to see, which raised safety concerns.
NHTSA complaint #11658790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard glares when it is sunny outside and at night when cars are driving past on the other side, this is a huge safety issue as it impairs visibility. The dashboard is also very sticky
NHTSA complaint #11650553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard is melting a known error to Lexus and when the sun hits it reflects off the melted dash and puts a glare on the windshield. Lexus knew about the problem and instead of doing a recall they did an extended warranty back in 2017. I took mine in and assumed they replaced dash and door panels. Called this year because my dash was melting and they stated all they did was the door panels back in 2017. I have informed my local dealership as well as corporate and neither seem willing to help or fix the issue. There are all kinds of write up online about this issue. It is definitely a safety issue that should have been addressed a while back but wasn’t.
NHTSA complaint #11601203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard is melting and makes a glare on the windshield making it hard to see the dashboard is melting and sticky also on the door panels I almost crashed when I couldn’t see due to the glare of the melting dashboard reflecting on the windshield
NHTSA complaint #11594599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It was regular morning on memorial day and I had not used the car all weekend since I really dont drive unless it to and back from work. I started the engine like would any other day and the car began to shake out of nowhere. The check engine went off, the yield sign went off and the traction control went off. I thought maybe it was time to change my brakes because the dealership had recommended it. I changed my brakes and got new tires but the car still shook. I continued to drive like that to work because I had no choice it shaked mostly on idle and I drove like that for a few days on Friday as I was coming back from work on the freeway the car shook in the freeway as I exit out the freeway the car felt almost if I couldn't pick up an speed and I got extremely scared with the cars flying by. I decided not to drive and take it to a nearby mechanic I thought maybe the spark plugs or coils might be the issue but after 3 days in the shop and replacing spark plugs he confirmed it was the direct fuel pump and possibly the fuel injector....my car is only used to drive to and back from work and only has 58k miles. I believe this is a default manufacturer part and I need help recalling this particular part on my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11592313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer rolled back by Lexus of Orange in Jacksonville, FL. All parties involved have provided title paperwork, except Lexus of Orange in Jacksonville, FL.
NHTSA complaint #11582634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving approx. 60 entering on ramp of freeway when car suddenly loses power to accelerator not entire car, i almost was hit by other drivers i couldnt accelerate or anything. I panicked then started pumping accelerator then it finally catches and sped up. I immediately got off freeway. Then next day CEL, Check VSC light and skid light all came on. This car is very dangerous. WHATCAN I DO??? I refuse to use the freeway until this problem is resolved.
NHTSA complaint #11579738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.