2007 Lexus IS Owner Complaints

The headlights continusely shot off while driving. The shift solenoid are stuck off causing the check engine light to continuously remain on. This all began 2023.

NHTSA ID

11744650

Incident

Jul 13, 2023

Hello: I own a 2007 Lexus IS250. My vehicle has had an ongoing engine misfire issue and has run extremely rough. In addition, my SRS light and there is an issue with the driver's side knee air bag inflator connector. Finally, my dashboard, front and rear door panels have been sticky and melted over time when it is hot and there is no reason why this is occurring. The dashboard and door panels become glossy, crack and have broken off into pieces and the shine/gloss from the dashboard causes blinding while driving due to the reflection of the sun on the dashboard. These issues have been going on for a period of over 10 years and I had multiple accidents due to these numerous issues. I have reported these to Lexus corporate on multiple occasions, including in 2016 and 2017. However, Lexus has refused to fix them stating that they are aware of these issues and had the ZLJ, ZLD and ZLA warranty programs but that they had expired in 2017. However, I later found out that none of those programs had expired at the time I called Lexus's corporate office. One of their programs, the ZLD warranty program, was apparently extended until 2021, however, Lexus failed to inform most vehicle owners of this. These issues are a safety issue. They have caused my car to malfunction for over 10 years and to have accidents. Many Lexus owners have also reported about these issues in Lexus owner forums on the internet and have stated that they have had accidents due to these issues, but Lexus failed to properly inform customers of the extended warranty and refused to fix these cars. With these issues continuing and becoming worse over the years, they are no longer a warranty issue, but a safety issue for drivers. I am requesting that the NHSTA investigate this issue and require, if possible, that Lexus issue safety recalls for these known defects and fix these issues immediately to prevent car accidents.

NHTSA ID

11736572

Incident

May 1, 2016

The dashboard material has degraded into a sticky, high-gloss liquid state. In direct sunlight, this creates a severe reflective glare on the interior of the windshield, causing temporary blindness and significantly obscuring my view of the road, pedestrians, and traffic signals. This manufacturer defect makes the vehicle unsafe to operate under normal daytime driving conditions. While driving on March 26, 2026, the sun hit the degraded dashboard, creating a mirrored reflection on the windshield that completely obscured my view of the road/pedestrians. This is a recurring safety hazard caused by the material's chemical failure. I have contacted Lexus Headquarters (Case # 260327002525) and that they refused to mitigate this known safety hazard because their "Customer Support Program" (ZLZ) had expired.

NHTSA ID

11727562

Incident

Mar 26, 2026

Engine is consuming too much oil regularly. I have to fill in a quart every 600 miles or so. Interior panels are melting

NHTSA ID

11693354

Incident

Oct 14, 2025

The contact's son owned a 2007 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while her son was driving at 15 MPH through an intersection, another speeding vehicle that did not have the right-of-way, crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, causing the front end of the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The contact's son was knocked unconscious. The air bags failed to deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. The emergency services escorted the contact's son to the nearest hospital, where he passed away a few days later. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced and had passed State inspection. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. The contact is requesting a phone call in regards to this case.

NHTSA ID

11571096

Incident

Aug 13, 2022

Mileage

135,000 mi

My vehicle has a sticky door panel issue that is easily damaged/defected when in contact. Due to the material chosen by the manufacturer, the door panels are easily defected in scratches, sun damage, flaking, etc.. I been in contact with other 2007 Lexus IS 250 owners that have the same complain on their vehicle. I called the dealership and they also confirmed the issue, but they were unable to assist me and recommended me to file a complaint with NHTSA. I simply request to have a recall on my vehicle (VIN) to have my door panels replaced by the manufacturer at no out-of-pocket cost to me. Thank you!

NHTSA ID

11528803

Incident

Jun 15, 2021

The dashboard melted again, I had the TSB in 2017 to replace the dash. It is now again melted and obstructs your view by shining onto to the front windshield, obstructing the front view of the driver can cause impairment of vision and could lead to collision. The rear view mirror has black corrosion on it making it impossible to see clearly in the rearview and also obstructing your view which could cause an accident due to limited visibility when changing lanes. Sometimes when driving or parking the power steering locks the steering wheel in place intermittently, could not get it to happen at dealer but happened before and is a severe road hazard( Shows P/S in red on dash) dash lights VSC and traction control intermittently light up and go away. Obviously it is a hazard if the steering locks up when driving. Lexus oem alloy wheels chipping, not a hazard but cosmetic and disappointing.

NHTSA ID

11511235

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

Lexus as made these cars with sealed transmissions Lexus says not to change transmission fluid but 2006 to 2013 has had known issues by many people of transmissions going out and need replaced the car will not reverse and jerks or the drive become reverse and neutral becomes drive at times this is not just a one car issue there are many is250s with this issue just search the web..

NHTSA ID

11491085

Incident

Apr 27, 2022

Air bag light came on out of nowhere, went to take the car in for diagnosis and they stated that the issue code was the airbag B1861 is open in drivers side knee airbag squib circuit. Now all airbags are disabled due to circuit malfunction.

NHTSA ID

11490372

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

My vehicle has a sticky dashboard and has a reflection to my front windshield. When it is sunny, that reflection is very blinding when I’m driving. My vehicle is available for inspection if needed. I am scared for myself and my passengers when I’m driving. My vision is 20/20 and this reflection is very bothersome. The issue has been confirmed by my local mechanic. I called the dealership and they also confirmed the issue, but they were unable to assist me and recommended me to file a complaint with NHTSA. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer (I offered to do so but they did not confirm an appointment for any further assistance), police, insurance, etc. There were no warning lamps, or any notices for this issue.

NHTSA ID

11469928

Incident

Jun 18, 2022

The dash is shining and obstructs my view of the road

NHTSA ID

11426068

Incident

May 31, 2021

I have a 2007 lexus is350 with the melting dashboard and door panels. The dashboard causes a terrible glare that reflects off the windshield and making it difficult to see the road and causes a smell in the car as well.

NHTSA ID

11425404

Incident

Jul 20, 2020

I purchased a previously-owned Lexus IS 250 in 2017. At the time I was unaware of the "melting dashboard" issue that is associated with the make and model. As I begin to notice the sticky appearance of the dashboard, I began to conduct some research. During my research, I found that Toyota Corporation was aware of the situation and issued an extended warranty and that a recall has never been issued. Unfortunately, my complaints to Lexus other reiterated this decision. The melting dashboard has become a safety concern. When the sun shines on the dashboard, it produces a reflection that makes for poor visibility. (For the date this incident occurred, I am entering that date of filing this form).

NHTSA ID

11424844

Incident

Jul 14, 2021

UNKNOWN The airbag light continues to come on and off, also the check VSC keeps coming on. Not sure what the issue is. I feel unsafe and uncomfortable with this occurring!

NHTSA ID

11424256

Incident

Jul 10, 2021

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE IN TAMPA, FL. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT A SOUND AND WITHOUT WARNING, AND HASN'T WORKED EVER SINCE.

NHTSA ID

11400084

Incident

Feb 27, 2021

Mileage

175,000 mi

MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND MELTING. SO IS THE DOOR PANELS.

NHTSA ID

11391131

Incident

Dec 24, 2020

THE ARS LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, WAS ADVISED THAT LEXUS NO LONGER MAKES THIS PART SO I CAN NOT GET IT FIXED THIS WAS A PART OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN RECALL BUT I AM STILL HAVING THE ISSUE

NHTSA ID

11391000

Incident

Feb 2, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

LEXUS KNOWS ABOUT AND WILL NOT FIX THE 1ST GENERATION OF DIRECT FUEL INJECTION ON THE IS250/350 ENGINES MODEL YEARS 2006-2013. LEXUS CLAIMS TO ME THAT WHEN IN COLD CLIMATES THE FUEL WILL CONDENSE ON CYLINDER WALLS AND THEN CONTAMINATE THE OIL. THIS RUNNING RICH PROBLEM THEN CAUSES THE ENGINE COMPUTER TO TRIP OR PRESENT FAILURE CODES AND THEN DEACTIVATING THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SAFETY FUNCTIONS THAT ARE NEEDED WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN COLD CLIMATES. LEXUS SAID THEY HAD A PROGRAM IN PLACE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT IT EXPIRED BEFORE MY CAR PRESENTED SYMPTOMS, THIS WAS DUE TO THE CAR BEING STATIONED WITH ME IN WARM CLIMATES FROM 2008 TO 2012. LEXUS REFUSES TO HELP RECTIFY THE SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

11375382

Incident

Oct 9, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY 2007 LEXUS IS350 THATS UNDER 100K MILES HAS THE STICKY DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS PROBLEM AND THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTS OFF THE DASHBOARD AND INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS CAUSING ME A HARD TIME SEEING. I EVEN BOUGHT A DASH COVER MAT FOR MY CAR BUT IT JUST FALLS OF BECAUSE NONE OF THE TAPE WOULD STICK TO THE DASHBOARD. ALSO ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD BY THE WINDSHIELD, IT STARTED WARPING/ LITTLE BIT OF THE DASHBOARD STICKING OUT. I KNOW LEXUS HAD A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR THE DASHBOARD BUT MINE ENDED IN 2017 AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER NEVER GOT THE RECALL DONE. RECENTLY, LEXUS STARTED A ZLZ PROGRAM FOR OTHER MODELS THATS BARELY AFFECTED AND I JUST DON'T GET WHY THEY DIDN'T EXTEND THE WARRANTY PROGRAM FOR THE IS MODELS FROM YEARS 2006-2008 SINCE THESE YEARS ARE THE MOST EFFECTED. ALL I WANT IS TO GET MY DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS REPLACED AND I DEFINITELY KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME WANTS TO GET IT REPLACED AS WELL. LEXUS NEEDS TO EXTEND THE CUSTOMER PROGRAM AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEVER GOT IT REPLACED. I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T PAY FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T CAUSE. THE MANUFACTURE MADE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES REPLACING IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EFFECTED.

NHTSA ID

11373449

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

WE HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL. THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED BY A CERTIFIED LEXUS DEALERSHIP. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWED 'OFF' EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS AIRBAG LIGHT AND SENSOR HAD ALWAYS WORKED CORRECTLY PRIOR TO THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT BY LEXUS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS BEING TOO SHORT AND THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG CAUSING THIS SAME ISSUE FOR MANY OTHER LEXUS OWNERS. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO LEXUS, THEY SAID WE WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW ECU SENSOR FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND NOT CAUSED BY THE REPAIR. AGAIN, THIS ISSUE AROSE DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG WHICH WAS PERFORMED BY LEXUS AND A REQUIRED RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11366298

Incident

Feb 27, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD & SIDEBOARD PANELS ARE MELTING AND IS STICKY. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AS WHEN THE SUN SHINES THE REFLECTION IS BLINDING AND I CAN NOT SEE IN FRONT OF ME. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11362558

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

THE DASH AND SIDE PANELS GET EXTREMELY STICKY AND. HAVE AN ODOR THAT AFFECTS VISION WHILE DRIVING NOT TO MENTION THE GLARE FROM THE DASH. TOYOTA AND LEXUS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM THAT WAS DISMISSED ONCE THEY AGREED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY FAILED TO FOLLOW THRU LEAVING APPROXIMATELY 3.5 MILLION VEHICLES WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO LEXUS WITH THEIR ATTITUDE BEING NOT A THING ARE THEY WILLING TO DO.

NHTSA ID

11354652

Incident

Aug 10, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY DASH AND DOOR COVER ARE MELTING AND PIECE ARE FALLING OFF

NHTSA ID

11352129

Incident

Jun 15, 2017

STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING/ PARKING AND SOMETIMES FREEZES ON THE HIGHWAY IN A RUN AS IF SOMETHING IS HOLDING ON TO IT LIKE A MAGNET, AND YOU HAVE TO PULL ON IT REAL HARD TO GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL . I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS THE ONLY CAR DOING IT BUT WHEN I WENT ON LEXUSFOURMS I'VE SEEN THAT THERE WAS MANY CAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE STATING THAT LEXUS RACK AND PINION IS FAULTY AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO CRASH IF YOUR NOT USED TO IT

NHTSA ID

11343111

Incident

Jul 16, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE COVER OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER IS DETACHED AND HANGING OPEN. THIS HAPPENED SOME TIME FOLLOWING A RECALL REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. BOTH FRONT WHEEL BALL JOINTS FAILED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD THEM REPLACED AS I WAS TRAVELING AND NOT ABLE TO GO TO A LEXUS DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11342808

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

77,500 mi