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2008 Lexus Is 250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Is 250 years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Lexus Is 250 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 46 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

125 reports
40,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Visibility/wiper

I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE MELTING AND STICKINESS OF MY DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS ALREADY BUT NO RESOLUTION HAVE TAKEN PLACE BY THE LEXUS OR MANUFACTURER. I HAVE CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OVER 9X'S AND VERY SELDOM I HAVE GOTTEN AN ANSWER OR A CALL BACK. KNOW THE DASHBOARD IS SO SHINY, YOU CAN'T DRIVE IT DUE TO AN EXTREME S…

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I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE MELTING AND STICKINESS OF MY DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS ALREADY BUT NO RESOLUTION HAVE TAKEN PLACE BY THE LEXUS OR MANUFACTURER. I HAVE CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OVER 9X'S AND VERY SELDOM I HAVE GOTTEN AN ANSWER OR A CALL BACK. KNOW THE DASHBOARD IS SO SHINY, YOU CAN'T DRIVE IT DUE TO AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE GLARE NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE! PLEASE HELP TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. PEOPLE LIVES ARE AT STAKE WHEN DRIVING THESE CARS.

NHTSA ODI #10853560

110,000 miles · Mar 23, 2016
Air Bags

AIR BAG WAS NEVER USED BUT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON

NHTSA ODI #10851300

95,000 miles · Mar 9, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURE BEFORE BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE MISFIRING. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR LONGER THAN A WEEK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY THE CONTACT AFTER THE REPAIRS, IT OVERHEATED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURE BEFORE BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE MISFIRING. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR LONGER THAN A WEEK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY THE CONTACT AFTER THE REPAIRS, IT OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10845708

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND CAUSED A GLARE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10839271

61,000 miles · Feb 11, 2016
Structure

THE PANELS OF THE DOORS AND THE BOARD OF THE CAR ARE MELTING WITH THE SUN. MOVING AND PARKED

NHTSA ODI #10825662

60,000 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Structure

RECEIVED "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION - ZLD" FROM LEXUS IN LATE 2014. IT OFFERED REPLACEMENT DASH AND DOOR PANELS DUE TO STICKY AND MELTING. MY DASH HAS MELTED SO BADLY IT SHINES IN MY EYES LIKE A MIRROR. SO FAR I HAVE BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER 2 TIMES, CALLED 6 TIMES AND STILL NO PARTS IN STOCK TO REPAIR PROBLEM. LEXUS CORP. …

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RECEIVED "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION - ZLD" FROM LEXUS IN LATE 2014. IT OFFERED REPLACEMENT DASH AND DOOR PANELS DUE TO STICKY AND MELTING. MY DASH HAS MELTED SO BADLY IT SHINES IN MY EYES LIKE A MIRROR. SO FAR I HAVE BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER 2 TIMES, CALLED 6 TIMES AND STILL NO PARTS IN STOCK TO REPAIR PROBLEM. LEXUS CORP. SAYS DEALER HAS NOT ORDERED PARTS AND DEALER SAYS PARTS OUT OF STOCK.

NHTSA ODI #10825138

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2016
Structure

INTERIOR PANELS ARE MELTING AWAY, LEAVING A VERY STICKY RESIDUE. MY DOOR PANELS HAVE MELTED DOWN REVEALING A GREEN LIKE SUBSTANCE, I NO LONGER HAVE BLACK DOOR PANELS. TOOK IT TO SEE WHAT I COULD DO, ONLY TO BE TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY DOOR PANELS. I DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR CONSIDERING THIS IS A…

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INTERIOR PANELS ARE MELTING AWAY, LEAVING A VERY STICKY RESIDUE. MY DOOR PANELS HAVE MELTED DOWN REVEALING A GREEN LIKE SUBSTANCE, I NO LONGER HAVE BLACK DOOR PANELS. TOOK IT TO SEE WHAT I COULD DO, ONLY TO BE TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY DOOR PANELS. I DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR CONSIDERING THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TESTED BEFORE EVERY LEAVING THE FACTORY.. THEREFORE I DO BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE FACT IT'S A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, NOT SO MUCH A HAZARD, BUT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE MATERIAL CAN NOT WITHSTAND HIGH TEMPERATURE,OR HIGH HUMIDITY CAUSING IT TO BE DEFECTIVE. WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IS WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL IS USED TO MAKE THIS RUBBERY PRODUCT,BECAUSE IF ITS MELTING AWAY IN HIGH TEMPERATURE THE CHEMICALS FROM THAT MATERIAL COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO BREATHE IN AND CAN LEAD TO CERTAIN CANCERS, ASTHMA OR RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS IF INHALED: WHICH WOULD THEN BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH IF EXPOSED TO IT, AND SINCE WE ARE IN THE VEHICLE I GUESS WE WOULD BE EXPOSED TO IT.SO! IF ANYONE HAS THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.TY

NHTSA ODI #10824998

61,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

MY CAR IS A 2008 WITH ONLY 61K MILES ON IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH A WIRING "SQUIB" AND MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS SHUT DOWN. IF I HAD GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT, NOT ONE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE DEALER SAID TO FIX IT WILL MEAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE WIRING…

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MY CAR IS A 2008 WITH ONLY 61K MILES ON IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH A WIRING "SQUIB" AND MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS SHUT DOWN. IF I HAD GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT, NOT ONE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE DEALER SAID TO FIX IT WILL MEAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AT A COST OF $2500. PER THE DEALER, THIS IS NOTHING THAT HAPPENED OVER TIME OR THROUGH WEAR AND TEAR. ALSO, THE DEALER SAID BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS, I WAS REPLACING ITEMS THAT WERE NOT MALFUNCTIONING AS THIS WAS THE DIRECTION PER LEXUS. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER ANYTHING. IT WAS VERY ALARMING TO HEAR THAT WHILE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT AIRBAGS. THE DEALER WAS SO CONCERNED THAT AFTER THE INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST, HE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT I SERVICE IT NOW AND NOT DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT DUE TO SAFETY REASONS.

NHTSA ODI #10810668

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2015
Visibility/wiper

REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS SPOTS DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSES SPOTS ALL OVER THE REAR VIEW MIRROR MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO LOOK AT ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10808106

93,000 miles · Nov 25, 2015
Air Bags

MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: LSB-0167-08 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IS A SOLID PROOF THAT A CERTAIN MODELS OF LEXUS VEHICLES HAVE A DEFECTED AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS. YET, FOR THE UNLUCKY OWNERS OF THESE MODELS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ONLY AFTER THE EXPIR…

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MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: LSB-0167-08 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IS A SOLID PROOF THAT A CERTAIN MODELS OF LEXUS VEHICLES HAVE A DEFECTED AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS. YET, FOR THE UNLUCKY OWNERS OF THESE MODELS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ONLY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DEALER'S WARRANTY, THEY FACE $3500 REPAIR BILL THE FIX A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. BY GOOGLING THIS ISSUE, I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT MANY MANY LEXUS OWNERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME WERE ABLE TO HAVE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY; WHILE OTHERS FOUND THE REPAIR TOO HIGH AND UNFAIR TO PAY FOR. SINCE LEXUS RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM AND ADMITS TO THE DEFAULT, THEY MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE, WITH OR WITHOUT RECALL. I AND MANY CONSUMERS LIKE ME ARE COUNTING AND WAITING ON NHTSA TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT, AS THEY ALWAYS DO AT THE END. MOREOVER, SINCE WE ARE DRIVING OUR CARS WITH DEFAULTED AIRBAG SYSTEM(LEAVING ARE VEHICLES NOT AS SAFE AS THEY SHOULD BE), WE HOPE THIS ISSUE IS SOLVED A.S.A.P., BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10807074

Official recalls

5

19V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 17, 2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

17V006000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

16V340000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 23, 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

14V647000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 15, 2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

13V030000 · Visibility/wiper

Jan 30, 2013

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.