2006 Lexus Is

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.

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS. The contact stated that the dashboard was melted and was causing vision impairment while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The vehicle was inspected, and the diagnosis was confirmed. The contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owned a 2006 Lexus IS350. The contact stated when she started the vehicle, following an oil change vehicle stalled. The contact stated that she had restarted the vehicle and heard an abnormal popping sound from the engine compartment and flames had burst from under the hood. The contact stated that she had smelled the odor of gasoline from her vehicle as she had entered the vehicle. The contact stated that the service station employees extinguished the flames. The contact stated that the fire department was called and a report was filed. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V432000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The dash of my vehicle melts on moderately warm days. It gets so shiny that it reflects off the windshield, making it very difficult to see. Others have also complained about the fumes making them physically ill. The manufacturer had a brief program (ZLD) to replace the dashboard, but I did not receive a notification and missed the very short window. I don't understand how this is something that they can now refuse to fix in my vehicle when it clearly affects safety. This is a recurring and persistent issue and has been for years.

This is happening on the lexus is250 as while as the 350 the loose bolts could cause the VVT gear housing and sprocket to separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 vehicles manufactured June 19, 2006, through July 12, 2011; and model year 2006-2011 Lexus IS350 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2005, through July 13, 2011; and model year 2010-2011 Lexus IS350c vehicles manufactured November 25, 2009, through July 19, 2011. These vehicles, equipped with the 2GR-FSE engine, use bolts to secure the housing and sprocket of the Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) system gear assembly. These bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up.

My car unfortunately is subject to the sticky/melting dash which is notorious of being a huge problem with my generation of vehicle. That being the 2nd generation of Lexus is250/350/f which affect the models made from 2006-2013. Lexus made a “customer offer” which entitled owners being able to go get it fix, however not all owners were made aware of this due to it not being a full on recall but more of a “promotion” that Lexus was doing. I unfortunately was one of many other owners who were not made aware of the promotion taking place and are now according to Lexus too late to fix the issue because the offer “expired”. My sticky dash in particular is very bad. It reflects off into the windshield making it very difficult to see the road clearly when it is glaring due to the sticky/melting dash. It not only poses a safety hazard for me, but to everyone else on the road due to it not letting me see clearly due to how bad the glare is. I was told by Lexus that there is nothing they can do but to pay out of my pocket (3-4K) in order to have it replaced. Lexus claims to “care” for their customers yet are not owning up to help us owners because there special promotion is expired. Knowing how bad the issue was and how practically all cars were subject to the issue, why not make a recall instead of a “promotion”. They screwed over their customers. They screwed over me. I can’t drive my car without fearing for my safety, all due to Lexus not wanted to fix their error when they made the dashboard incorrectly. I hope something can be done because I know there are many other Lexus is250/350/f owners out there that were unfortunate to not have it fix also. It should be a recall, not some limited “promotion” that only a few knew about. It is a “if you were lucky to know” sort of deal and that should not be the case. Especially not when it starts to affect the safety of others and one self.

1) Keep getting rotten egg smell from exhaust during acceleration; smell like it is coming from catalytic converters/exhaust system or front of engine. Never had or was informed by dealership that exhaust system could be replaced by Lexus although I brought my vehicles in several time for recalls. Brought vehicle in for recall to Fresno Lexus in 2020 never informed by dealership of Lexus being able to fix issue for free although I had told them of issue. Seems to be very toxic smell; gives me headaches while driving!!!!!!! Lexus should have repaired the issued for free when informed years ago but did nothing!!!!!