2004 Lexus IS

MELTING DASH BOARD TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER, LEAVES RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND WHEN YOU TOUCH IT REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN COOL OR HOT AREAS.

NHTSA ID

10781367

Incident

Sep 20, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005. IT HAD 300 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD A STUCK VENT SINCE 8 BOUGHT IT ON TO OF THE DASH AND THE REPAINT THAT NOW LOOKS LIKE CRAP. BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD. I HAVE BEEN BURNT BY THE MELTING WHATEVER IT IS MAKE OF. IT HAS STUCK TO MY HAND AND LEFT A BLISTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY OTHERS MODELS WERE RECALLED AND NOT THE 2004 IS300???? ODVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IF YOU ARE RESEARCHING TO BUY A LEXUS SAVE YOUR MONEY!

NHTSA ID

10746544

Incident

Aug 5, 2015

Mileage

40,000 mi

I HAVE A 2004 LEXUS IS300 AND HAVE THE SAME DASH MELTING ISSUE THAT OTHER PEOPLE IS HAVING. STARTING FROM 2007 THE DASH STARTED TO MELT AND TOOK TO DEAL BACK THEN AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. RECENTLY GOT A LETTER FOR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE FOR MY OTHER 2007 LEXUS ES350 WITH SAME ISSUE OF MELTING DASH. I THINK LEXUS SHOULD ALSO DO A REPLACEMENT FOR ALL 2004 IS300 FOR DASH PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10731793

Incident

Jul 2, 2007

Mileage

48,000 mi

2004 LEXUS IS300 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2008. AS EVIDENCED BY MANY CLAIMS ON DIFFERENT LEXUS/TOYOTA VEHICLES THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE IS "MELTING." 2006 AND UP LEXUS IS MODELS HAVE AN EXISTING RECALL. 2002-2005 LEXUS IS MODELS DO NOT HAVE THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. BEING A FATHER OF A 5-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE MY SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THREEFOLD... 1. FUMES AND/OR VAPORS BEING RELEASED INTO THE AIR AND BEING INHALED BY MYSELF AND/OR DAUGHTER. 2. AIRBAG PANEL IS AFFECTED AND WORRIES ME THAT DEPLOYMENT MIGHT BE AFFECTED. 3. GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD FROM MELTING PLASTIC.

NHTSA ID

10716277

Incident

Dec 1, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. WHEN TOUCHED IT LEAVES PRINTS AND FEELS STICKY. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR A FEW YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I'M CONCERNED IT MAY BE TOXIC.

NHTSA ID

10716209

Incident

Aug 1, 2013

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 LEXUS IS300 IS MELTING; FEELS STICKY TO THE TOUGH, FINGERPRINTS CAN OCCUR, SCRATCHES VERY EASILY, AS TIME GOES BY IT BECOMES LESS AND LESS ATTRACTIVE, HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH IT, AND WHILE CLEANING IT. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND THERE IS NO REMEDIATION ON THEIR PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669951

Incident

Feb 13, 2012

Mileage

79,675 mi

MY 2004 IS300 WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE (SATURN) HIT MY CAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, DAMAGING THE SUSPENSION, FENDER, BUMPER, AND SURROUNDING PARTS. AFTER IMPACT MY CAR WENT UP THE CURB, OVER SOME LARGE ROCKS AND RESTED ON AN INCLINE. I SUFFERED NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK PAIN AND WAS TREATED BY A CHIROPRACTOR. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669938

Incident

Jun 17, 2013

Mileage

101,350 mi

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE PLASTIC IS STICKY AND LEAVES A BLACK FILM ON ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT INCLUDING FINGERS AND CLOTHING. THE BLACK RESIDUE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF ONCE IT IS ON SOMETHING. JUST WASHING HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH SOAP AND WATER IS NOT ENOUGH TO REMOVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652898

Incident

Nov 5, 2014

Mileage

61,247 mi

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. While Lexus paint quality, durability, and resistance to environmental factors is continuously being improved, it remains the responsibility of the dealer to protect and maintain the vehicle’s paint finish from the time of arrival at the dealership until retail delivery to the customer. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. BO029-91. •The entire bulletin has been updated. Service Bulletin No. BO029-91 is obsolete

Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-PG004-94. •The entire bulletin has been updated.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. While the quality and durability of paint on Lexus vehicles is continuously being improved, it remains the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.