10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,084 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #5

Jan 032004

IS 300

  • miles
Melting dashboard and around the gear shift and Lexus will not do anything about it. Poor customer service for a so called "luxury" brand. I had some paper actually stick to the plastic around the gear shift and when I went to pick it up I had to peel it off then I tried clean it off with just water and a rag and it left marks. I want something done by Lexus. A lot of people are having this same problem so why isn't Lexus doing anything about it? I want something done! my dash and plastic around the gear shift need to be replaced and it has nothing to do with normal wear and tear. I just found this site that's why I'm just now reporting it but this has been a problem since about 2014. Lexus should own up to their mistakes and fix them. I will keep calling and keep going to the dealership until something is done!

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #4

Jan 012010

IS 300

  • miles
Dashboard is melting on my 2002 IS300. This is a safety hazard causing glare on windshield. Also the sticky black dash gets on our skin and likely has harmful chemicals that is being absorbed in our bodies. Lexus refuses to repair this known defect and my vehicle has not been included in the recall. I always thought Lexus was the top brand for reliability and quality. My viewpoint of Lexus brand has changed after this and I can no longer consider buying Lexus in future. Very disappointed in their poor quality control and refusal to stand by their brand.

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

problem #3

May 132015

IS 300

  • miles
Like most Lexus IS300 owners, my car exhibits the "melting" dashboard issue. My main concern is the melting material could be releasing chemicals that is orderless/toxic. Lexus is refusing the repair the issue out of their own pockets.

- El Monte, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 012003

IS 300 6-cyl

  • miles
Shortly after I purchased my new car (Lexus IS300 2002), the dashboard, cover to air bag (on dash) and console began to melt/soften and become sticky. When I first reported to Lexus, they did not do anything. After a while, I continued to complain and they replaced the cover panel on dash to the air bag but not the entire dashboard/console. In all the years of service at Lexus of palm beach, they never offered to repair, even though this did not seem right. After hearing recent story on wptv news (consumer watchdog, [xxx] ), I have now learned that I am not alone and there are countless stories similar to mine. www.wptv.com/money/consumer/sticky-shiny-safety-issue-drivers-complain-of-sun-glare-from-melting-dashboards because my car Is not under warranty anymore, Lexus Is still dismissive ---- but I do have record of this issue for years (including when they replaced the air bag dash cover, under warranty, several years ago). I just received email response today from Lexus of palm beach, parts manager, [xxx] as follows: "thank you for your email inquiry. I understand your concern and as of right now Lexus hasn't come out with anything for your matter. If anything does arise, seeing you purchased your vehicle new, all your information Is in the data base and you will be contacted first. I wish I had an answer for you right now but we haven't heard anything yet." Given that I had reported this issue while car was previously under warranty (and that Lexus had acknowledged issue and replaced portion), I feel that Lexus should honor this product and replace the defective dashboard and console at their expense, for both parts and labor. Hope you can help me to resolve this matter, thank you very much! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 072005

IS 300 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,420 miles
My 2002, Lexus IS300 had a case of sudden unintended acceleration that led to a crash causing over $10,000 worth of damages to both my car and the other persons car. I have seen other reports of other people wondering if the electronic throttle is suspect in these cases, however I personally believe that the real problem is only partly to blame on the electronic throttle. In my opinion, the problem is the likelihood of the pedal getting stuck under floor mats is too high, combined with the relatively "light" spring force on the gas pedal because it is a throttle-by-wire system which leads to the floor mat easily holding the pedal down to full throttle causing an accident. I say that this is "negligent pedal design on the part of the car manufacturer". I also believe that they knew this was an issue because they make reference to this in the owners manual on: Pg.76 where there is a caution that states "make sure the floor mat is properly placed on the floor carpet. If the floor mat slips and interferes with the movement of the pedals during driving, it may cause in accident." No manufacturer should be allowed to use that caution as a disclaimer to get away with negligent pedal design. They, fully well knowing that this is a safety issue, should have recalled those car models with a pedal design that has a high risk of getting jammed and redesigned the pedal so that it cannot get stuck by a floor mat. In all the cars that I've owned in the past, if a mat slips it just prevents you from applying full gas pedal, not the opposite of applying full pedal. I strongly move that Toyota company recalls all these cars with this potential problem and fix it properly before someone get fatally injured or crippled for life. The dealer informed the consumer there were 2 codes that indicated there was a problem with the ABS. Updated

- Richmond, 00, USA