2006 Lexus IS 250

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.

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and following the road around a left turn, the steering wheel became loosened as if the steering wheel had detached from the column. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and no longer driven. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11508496

Incident

Feb 21, 2023

Mileage

135,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light activated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag sensor on the driver's side needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11484833

Incident

Jul 16, 2021

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11407939

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

Mileage

145,000 mi

MELTING DASH AND ALL DOORS PEELING OF IN PLACES AND DASH IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED IN PLACES . EVERY WHEEL SENSOR WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY AND AIR LIGHT STUCK ON NOW..

NHTSA ID

11234600

Incident

Apr 11, 2018

PURCHASED CAR A YEAR AGO NOTICED THAT WHEN IT GETS REALLY HOT THE DASH BOARD AND THE DOOR PANELS COMES OFF IF SCRAPED WITH FINGER NAILS AND THE DASH IS VERY STICKY.

NHTSA ID

11229387

Incident

Jan 19, 2018

Mileage

167,000 mi

I WAS INFORM BY OTHER LEXUS THAT THERE ARE RECALL FOR 2006-2013 LEXUS ON SERVERAL PARTS. I MADE A CALL TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP OF SACRAMENTO AND SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE SHE HAD ALSO CONFIRM THE RECAL ON MY CAR AND BOOKED ME AN APPOINTMENT SEVERAL DAYS LATER. I WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT AND WAS DENIED MY SERVICES, THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EXPIRED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL MY REPAIRS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY RECALLS. I FEEL LIKE I WAS RIP OFF FOR BEING 17YEARS OLD KID. I FELT CHEATED.

NHTSA ID

11221915

Incident

May 15, 2019

SOLENOIDS IN MY CAR IS CAUSING MY CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO THE FACT THAT LEXUS STATES TRANSMISSION FLUID NEVER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IS NOW HAVING ME BUYING A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD AND IS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR.

NHTSA ID

11219165

Incident

Jun 2, 2019

TAKATA RECALL: THE RECALL SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY INCLUDED THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, I HAD NO ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT UNTIL I PLACE MY CAR BACK IN THE SHOP TO GET THE RECALL A DAY LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO LEXUS AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PART THEY JUST REPLACED. HOWEVER IT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TOO. THE ARE GETTING A DIAGNOSTIC MYSELF I WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD AND MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AND A WELL KNOWN ISSUE TO HAPPEN TO THE LEXUS IS 250, THIS IS A DIRECT LINK WITH THE TAKATA RECALL AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVER BY LEXUS. FAULTY AIR BAGS ARE NOT A CUSTOMERS FAULT. AIR BAGS WHERE PLACED IN CARS FOR LIFE SAVING PROTECTION, TO NOT INCLUDE THIS IS THE RECALL IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE DRIVERS AND THERE FAMILY WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11202828

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022

CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Lexus stands behind the reliability of our vehicles

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to replace the loose or damaged carpet floor retainer(s).

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell 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 the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and model year specific 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.

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.