2009 Lexus IS 350

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.

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE EXPELLED SMOKE AD STALLED TO STOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STARTED IT UP WENT UP TO THE LIGHT STOPPED, PULLED THROUGH AND TURNED BACK AROUND, CAME BACK THREW LIGHT HEADING TOWARD MECHANICS, STALLED OUT AGAIN WITH A COUPLE OF PUFFS OF SMOKE BEHIND IT, CALLED MECHANIC, HE ASKED TO DRIVE IT IN, WOULDN,T START, SO HAD TOW TRUCK TOW A FEW MILES TO MECHANIC. AFTER MECHANIC CHECKED IT, I WAS TOLD ENGINE BLEW AD BOTH LEXUS PHONE NUMBERS TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 94,,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11187164

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

94,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS IS 350. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE OIL ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON A SECOND OCCASION TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CARBON BUILD UP WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE DIRECT FUEL EJECTION TECHNOLOGY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10785628

Incident

Oct 24, 2014

THE FRONT BRAKES DEVELOPED AN EXTREMELY LOUD METAL ON METAL SOUND WITH DECREASED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO LEXUS WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAVE A TSB ON THE PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION REQUIRES REPLACING THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AN FINS. THE NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY REDESIGNED TO FIX THE DESIGN FLAWS. UNFORTUNATELY, LEXUS WANTS TO CHARGE $600 TO REPAIR THE KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM, DESPITE THE VEHICLE HAVING ONLY 20,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10543413

Incident

Sep 13, 2013

Mileage

20,200 mi

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

CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022

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.