Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2021
Service Brakes
As I prepared to make a right turn onto a busy street, I suddenly could not brake normally. Instead, I was unable to press the brake down as a balloon like feeling pushed it back up, but it also did not return all the way up to its normal position. The result was I was moving with no way to slow down the car. Fortunately, I was …
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As I prepared to make a right turn onto a busy street, I suddenly could not brake normally. Instead, I was unable to press the brake down as a balloon like feeling pushed it back up, but it also did not return all the way up to its normal position. The result was I was moving with no way to slow down the car. Fortunately, I was not moving at a high speed and immediately shifted into park. I was fortunate this did not occur while I was at full speed. The brake lights did turn on at the time of the issue. An independent mechanic suspects a brake booster failure. Just a month before, another mechanic performed routine maintenance and found no signs of this issue. Just 6 months before, I purchased the vehicle used with no mention of this sort of past issue.
NHTSA ODI #11438814
100,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Structure
THIS LEXUS HAS THE STICKY, MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE COMMON IN MANY LEXUS VEHICLES LOCATED IN SOUTHERN STATES.
NHTSA ODI #10733137
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2014
Structure
ONE DAY I JUST GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER CLEANING IT AND THE DASH WAS VERY STICKY, I THOUGHT SOMEONE SPLIT SOMETHING IN MY CAR SO I WIPED IT DOWN BUT IT DID NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617687
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2014
Structure
MELTING DASHBOARD. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10617042
70,000 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Structure
I HAVE A 2005 IS300 THAT IS HAVING A MELTING DASHBOARD AND PANEL ISSUE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE LEXUS FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. THE MELTING DASHBOARD AND PANEL ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE HOT SUN. LEXUS HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND ALSO REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRING/REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611380
140,000 miles · May 17, 2014
Visibility
SEVERE RUSTING OF THE SUNROOF. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592087
47,000 miles · Apr 1, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT , MY FOOT NOT ON THE GAS , THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD TO SLAM MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WITH THE HELP OF THE PARKING SPOT STOPPER THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO OVER THE STOPPER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453704
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2011
Structure
ON THE DASHBOARD, THE SQUARE OF MATERIAL WHERE THE SRS AIR BAG IS, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, KEEPS MELTING WHEN IT'S EXPOSED TO HEAT. THE AIRBAG DECOMPOSES OVER TIME DUE TO AN ERROR IN DESIGN/MANUFACTURING, AND THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION DUE TO OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT …
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ON THE DASHBOARD, THE SQUARE OF MATERIAL WHERE THE SRS AIR BAG IS, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, KEEPS MELTING WHEN IT'S EXPOSED TO HEAT. THE AIRBAG DECOMPOSES OVER TIME DUE TO AN ERROR IN DESIGN/MANUFACTURING, AND THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION DUE TO OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE AIR BAG AS THIS CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE OVERTIME. THIS SITUATION MAY AFFECT THE QUALITY AND STRENGTH OF THE AIR BAG. . AFTER RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN LEXUS VEHICLES AS FAR BACK AS 2002.
NHTSA ODI #10438408
10,100 miles · Nov 1, 2008
Power TrainCrashInjury
I OWN LEXUS IS300, YEAR 2005. MILEAGE APPROX 10,000 ONLY. FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER STICKS IN PARK AND REQUIRES THAT I PRESS THE SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES. ON THE LAST OCCASION, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SELECTOR LEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING, THE CAR S…
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I OWN LEXUS IS300, YEAR 2005. MILEAGE APPROX 10,000 ONLY. FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER STICKS IN PARK AND REQUIRES THAT I PRESS THE SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES. ON THE LAST OCCASION, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SELECTOR LEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING, THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND RESULTED IN A MOST SERIOUS SERIES OF COLLISIONS, FIRST INTO A PARKED CAR THEN AFTER MOUNTING THE SIDEWALK IT SMASHED INTO TWO HOUSES. I SUSTAINED A WRIST FRACTURE AND BRUISES. ALL THIS HAPPENED IN THE SPACE OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247430
13,000 miles · Feb 4, 2007
Suspension
THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT FASTER ON THE INSIDE (CAMBER) THAN THE REST OF THE TIRE. THE DEALER LEXUS (IS300) SAID THAT'S THE WAY THE MANUFACTURER MADE IT .I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181520
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Lexus Is Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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