2004 Lexus Gx

I am writing to formally request an investigation into a safety defect affecting the dashboard on my 2004 Lexus GX470. Over the past several months, I have observed significant cracking along the top of the instrument panel. I believe this defect poses a serious safety hazard: if the dashboard material fractures or delaminates, it could interfere with proper expansion and deployment of the front passenger airbag in the event of a collision. Despite the severity of this condition, Lexus has only issued a “limited-service campaign” rather than a full safety recall. Under that campaign, Lexus offers repair assistance only to owners located within certain regions and only if they pay a service fee. I contacted Lexus Headquarters, and requested a complete, no-cost replacement of the defective dashboard assembly, and was declined without satisfactory justification. I consider this response inadequate because: 1.Safety Risk to Occupants oThe dashboard crack traverses the airbag deployment zone. oIf the material fails, the passenger airbag may not be deployed correctly or on time. 2.Insufficient Remedy oA limited-service campaign does not guarantee replacement or cover all affected vehicles. oOwners outside specified regions or who have previously paid for dashboard repairs receive no assistance. 3.Regulatory Precedent oFederal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 mandates reliable airbag deployment. oA comprehensive recall would ensure all affected vehicles receive robust, no-cost repairs. I respectfully request that NHTSA open an investigation under 49 U.S.C. § 30162(a) to determine whether this dashboard cracking constitutes a safety-related defect warranting a nationwide recall. I am prepared to provide photographs, service records, and any additional information needed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS GX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NECK INJURIES AND WAS TREATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE(BETWEEN 20-30 PACES). THE MOST CRACKING HAS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AND AROUND THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING BECAUSE I FEAR IT THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY, IT WOULD NOT PROPERLY DO SO, AND ALSO THAT IT MAY BE EXTRA DANGEROUS IF THE CRACKED PIECES OF THE DASH GO FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SUCH CONDITIONS REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE US HERE: HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/GX-FIRST-GENERATION/427349-CRACKED-DASHBOARD.HTML IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT, OR PARKED IN THE SUN. ALSO CLIMATE TEMPERATURE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THIS CONDITION IS BEING REPORTS ALL OVER THE US. *TR