2018 Lexus Gs

The carbon fiber interior trim on my 2018 Lexus GS F is delaminating at three locations: left of the steering wheel, right of the steering wheel, and the center console/shifter surround. The clear coat is lifting, cracking, and separating from the substrate, and it has worsened with temperature cycling. Mileage is approximately 72,000. The parts remain installed and are available for inspection on request. Safety risk: The lifting clear coat next to the steering wheel causes glare in direct sunlight that can impair forward visibility. The separated edges are sharp and pose a cut risk to the driver's hands during normal operation. The damage is in the driver's direct field of view and is distracting while driving. Lexus has acknowledged this defect in Customer Support Program ZLZ (MC-10145765-9999), which covers certain 2016–2018 GS F vehicles built mid-July 2015 through late September 2017. My vehicle was built in January 2018 and uses the same standard carbon fiber trim. Lexus verbally denied coverage based solely on build date. I am not aware of any change to the trim material or process after September 2017. Inspection: Photos of all three locations are available. Warning signs: There were no warning lamps or messages. Symptoms began as cloudiness / small bubbles in the clear coat around 2020 and progressed to lifting and cracking. I request that NHTSA review whether the ZLZ build-date cutoff is appropriate, given that later-production 2018 GS F vehicles appear to share the same trim and failure mode.

NHTSA ID

11767204

Incident

Sep 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Lexus GS350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to a defect in the windshield being glued on one side. The windshield had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11552121

Incident

Oct 7, 2023

Mileage

79,000 mi

While A/C is on, passenger side AC vent is blowing warm air while driver side and back seat AC vents are blowing cold air. Lowering the cabin air temperature controls do not correct the issue. It makes the car temperature get hot and uncomfortable, which becomes distracting when driving.

NHTSA ID

11544028

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Some 2016 – 2020 model year GS F, 2008 – 2014 model year IS F, 2022 – 2025 model year IS 500, 2018 – 2025 model year LC 500, 2021 – 2025 model year LC 500c, and 2015 – 2025 model year RC F vehicles with 2UR-GSE engines may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): •P0505 – Idle Control System •P2111 – Throttle Actuator Control System – Stuck Open The throttle body assembly with motor and ventilation hoses no. 2 and no. 3 have been modified to address these conditions.

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.