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2007 Lexus Is 250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Is 250 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Lexus Is 250 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

142 reports with mileage · 71 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Structure complaints

59 reports
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73,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

I OWN A 2007 LEXUS IS250 AND THE INTERIOR IS MELTING. THE DASHBOARD HAS A GLOSSY, STICKY RESIDUE THAT HAS MADE DRIVING DURING THE DAY IN SUNNY CONDITIONS IMPOSSIBLE. THE RESIDUE CAUSES A GLARE THAT HINDERS MY ABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. SO MUCH SO THAT I ALMOST MISSED A STOP SIGN! THE DOOR PANELS ARE MELTING TO THE POINT T…

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I OWN A 2007 LEXUS IS250 AND THE INTERIOR IS MELTING. THE DASHBOARD HAS A GLOSSY, STICKY RESIDUE THAT HAS MADE DRIVING DURING THE DAY IN SUNNY CONDITIONS IMPOSSIBLE. THE RESIDUE CAUSES A GLARE THAT HINDERS MY ABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. SO MUCH SO THAT I ALMOST MISSED A STOP SIGN! THE DOOR PANELS ARE MELTING TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU TOUCH THEM THE MATERIAL STICKS TO YOUR HANDS AND CLOTHING OR JUST FALLS OFF AND WHEN I GET IT ON MY HANDS IT CAUSES A RASH. I'VE CONTACTED LEXUS AND SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO HAVE THESE PARTS REPLACED AND I WAS QUICKLY DENIED. I'M REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT AND I WANTED TO DOCUMENT MY CONCERNS IN CASE SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A GREAT DAY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10636901

91,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING. LOOKS SHINY AND IS STICKY TO TOUCH. LEAVES BLACK RESIDUE ON FINGERS AND CREATES A DANGEROUS GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633798

85,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED. THE FAILURE CREATED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IN THE DAYTIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED. THE FAILURE CREATED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IN THE DAYTIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10631507

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2014
Structure

THE DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS OF MY 2007 LEXUS IS250 CONTAIN A RUBBER LIKE MATERIAL THAT HAS BECOME STICKY AS IF IT IS MELTING AWAY. IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY FRAGILE TO THE TOUCH, LEAVING YOUR FINGER IMPRINT OR EVEN A CHUNKS TO COME OFF. WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, I NOW HAVE A REFLECTION OF THE WHOLE DASHBOARD ON MY WINDSHIELD …

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THE DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS OF MY 2007 LEXUS IS250 CONTAIN A RUBBER LIKE MATERIAL THAT HAS BECOME STICKY AS IF IT IS MELTING AWAY. IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY FRAGILE TO THE TOUCH, LEAVING YOUR FINGER IMPRINT OR EVEN A CHUNKS TO COME OFF. WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, I NOW HAVE A REFLECTION OF THE WHOLE DASHBOARD ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPAIRS MY VISIONS AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT WITHOUT SUNGLASSES ON. THIS HAS BECOME A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FOR THE PRICE TAGS THAT COME WITH THESE VEHICLES, WE SHOULD ALL BE GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE IT COST PEOPLE THEIR LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630052

75,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

DASHBOARD OF THE CAR HAS MELTED, SPECIFICALLY RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER POSITION. THE SIZE OF THE MELTING/SHINY REFLECTIVE AREA IS ROUND AND LIKE 9 INCHES WIDE. THE REFLECTION OF THE SHINY MELTING RUBBER FROM THE DASH AFFECTS HAVING A CLEAR VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A RELATIVELY…

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DASHBOARD OF THE CAR HAS MELTED, SPECIFICALLY RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER POSITION. THE SIZE OF THE MELTING/SHINY REFLECTIVE AREA IS ROUND AND LIKE 9 INCHES WIDE. THE REFLECTION OF THE SHINY MELTING RUBBER FROM THE DASH AFFECTS HAVING A CLEAR VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME OVER TWO YEARS AGO, BUT IT JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE, THE CAR IS DRIVEN BY MY PREGNANT WIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626439

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2014
Structure

MY LEXUS IS 250 HAS A MELTING AND STICKY DASHBOARD AS WELL AS ALL FOUR DOOR SIDES AND ITS HANDLE BARS. EVERY TIME I TOUCH ON THE DASHBOARD DUE TO THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S WHEEL BEING SO CLOSE, I HAD IT ON MY FINGERTIP BEING STICKY AND I HAVE TO WIPE IT OFF BUT STILL LEFT SOME BLACK MARK ON MY FINGER. ALSO EVERYTIME I PUT THE WIND…

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MY LEXUS IS 250 HAS A MELTING AND STICKY DASHBOARD AS WELL AS ALL FOUR DOOR SIDES AND ITS HANDLE BARS. EVERY TIME I TOUCH ON THE DASHBOARD DUE TO THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S WHEEL BEING SO CLOSE, I HAD IT ON MY FINGERTIP BEING STICKY AND I HAVE TO WIPE IT OFF BUT STILL LEFT SOME BLACK MARK ON MY FINGER. ALSO EVERYTIME I PUT THE WINDSHIELD COVER TO PROTECT THE HEAT FROM GOING INSIDE, IT PLACED SOME MARKS ON THE DASHBOARD. IT HAS BEEN SO BAD TO SMELL TOXIC CHEMICALS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD WHILE I'M IN THE CAR DRIVING. NEED TO SAY MORE ? I AM AFRAID IT MAY GIVE ME AN ILLNESS IN THE FUTURE FROM SMELLING IT INTO MY LUNGS. CAN'T WE HAVE A RECALL FROM LEXUS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT REAL QUICKLY ? IT WOULD BE REAL NICE TO REPLACE THE OLD DASHBOARD AND SIDES WITH A BEST QUALIFIED STANDARD WITH THE MATERIALS THAT IS SAFE THAT WON'T HURT THE CUSTOMER AND WON'T DAMAGE FROM THE SUN FROM MELTING AGAIN. I SEE LEXUS CHANGED THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL TO SOME KIND OF LEATHER OR THICK LEATHER THAT WON'T MELT. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR MY CAR AND I'M REAL DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR I PAY FOR. I HAD AN OLD CAR HONDA CIVIC FOR A LONG TIME AND I NEVER EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A DASHBOARD. VERY GOOD QUALITIES IN THE INTERIOR IN THE HONDA CIVIC BACK THE 1980S. NOW 2005 TO 2007 LEXUS USED A CHEAPER KIND OF MATERIAL ON THE DASHBOARD ?? WE CUSTOMERS PAID ALOT OF HARD MONEY EARNED FOR THIS CAR WE LOVE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626034

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2014
Structure

DASHBOARD AND DOORS (INSIDE) BECOME STICKY WITH BLACK GREASY PIECES WHICH COMES OFF WHEN TOUCHED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621137

110,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW WHEN DRIVING IN SUNNY CONDITIONS. THE DEALER HAD NEVER BEFORE SEEN THAT TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10619213

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2014
Structure

FOR SEVERAL YEARS DASH AND OTHER RUBBER PARTS OF INTERIOR ARE MELTING AND FORMING A GUMMY/GLUE TYPE SUBSTANCE THAT CAUSES PERMANENT DAMAGE TO APPEARANCE AND STICKS TO ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT INCLUDING DAMAGING CLOTHING. LEXUS MADE ME PAY FOR LABOR TO REPLACE DASH BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE DOOR COMPONENTS SAYING IT WAS TOO EXPENSI…

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FOR SEVERAL YEARS DASH AND OTHER RUBBER PARTS OF INTERIOR ARE MELTING AND FORMING A GUMMY/GLUE TYPE SUBSTANCE THAT CAUSES PERMANENT DAMAGE TO APPEARANCE AND STICKS TO ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT INCLUDING DAMAGING CLOTHING. LEXUS MADE ME PAY FOR LABOR TO REPLACE DASH BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE DOOR COMPONENTS SAYING IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND THEY INSISTED I PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF REPLACING ALL 4 DOORS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT CAR OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS CAUSED BY USING A RUBBER THAT DEGRADES OVER TIME AND BECOMES A GOOEY SUBSTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618910

47,000 miles · Aug 2, 2014
Structure

DASHBOARD IS EXTREMELY STICKY AND APPEARS TO BE MELTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618405

Official recalls

5

19V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 17, 2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

17V006000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

16V340000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 23, 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

14V647000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 15, 2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

13V030000 · Visibility/wiper

Jan 30, 2013

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.