2006 Lexus IS: complaints, problems and recalls

MY WIFE'S IS 250 WAS TAKEN IN FOR IT'S 40,000 MI. OIL CHANGE. SHE RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED NEW ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS. I CALLED AN WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL BECAUSE THE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN. I WAS ALSO TOLD STRANGELY ENOUGH THAT THE ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND HAD A RIDGE ON THEM AND COULD NOT BE MACHINED DESPITE THE CALIPERS BEING FROZEN. ONE PROBABLE CAUSE I WAS TOLD WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD LOW MILES ON IT. IT GETS DRIVEN EVERY DAY ABOUT 20-30 MILES. ACCORDING TO THEM MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AROUND IN…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453366 at NHTSA ↗

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZED, NEEDED REPLACEMENT. EXCESS RUST, MATERIAL APPEARS DEFECTIVE. ALSO CAUSE OF REAR BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486670 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHAKES, INTERMITTENTLY RUNS ROUGH WHILE BRAKING. DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ISSUE 3 TIMES UNTIL RECENT CHECK FOUND ENGINE PISTONS AND VALVE SPRINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. LEXUS AGREED TO ACCOMMODATE SERVICE AND LABOR COSTS BUT PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED REQUIRING A WEEK OR TWO WAIT TIME FOR REPAIR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 67,151 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505317 at NHTSA ↗

INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS BECOME DISCOLORED AND UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY FROM. KNOWN ISSUE BY MANUFACTURE BUT ONLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ALL REGULATIONS PART 571 < 571.110 571.112 > SUBPART B - FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 571.111 STANDARD NO. 111; REARVIEW MIRRORS. S1. SCOPE. THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE AND LOCATION OF REARVIEW MIRRORS. S2. PURPOSE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES THAT OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509321 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANELS, AND THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE DOOR PANELS AND THE DASH BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS. 22,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10531752 at NHTSA ↗

WHENEVER THE CAR IS EXPOSED UNDER THE SUN. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING WHICH MAKES IT SHINY AND IS MAKING DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 81,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550822 at NHTSA ↗

THE DASH BOARD HAS BEEN MADE OF OF DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, IT HAS A VERY BAD GLARE LIKE A MIRROR. I GET SO SCARED BECAUSE THE GLARE GETS REALLY BAD THE SUNNIER IT IS OUT SIDE. IT REFLECTS RIGHT INTO MY EYES WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10550902 at NHTSA ↗

INTERIOR PANEL PARTS (DASHBOARD, DOOR PANELS) MELTS IN HOT, HUMID CLIMATES. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2012 MY USED (PURCHASED IN MAY 2012) LEXUS IS350'S DASHBOARD AND UPPER DOOR PANEL SURFACES WOULD GLISTEN AND EMIT A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE SUN/HEAT. THE WET DASHBOARD SURFACE WOULD REFLECT OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND IMPAIR VISION DURING DRIVING. IT WOULD TAKE LESS THAN 30 MINS PARKED IN THE SUN/HEAT FOR THE PANEL SURFACES TO BEGIN GLISTENING. ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN THE SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS DID NOT WORK, AS THE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10565438 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-04-03 (April 3, 2006)

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2006-04-13 (April 13, 2006)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS (BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER) BECOME LOCKED, THEY MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO A COMPONENT OF THE EMERGENCY LOCKING SYSTEM. IF THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THIS CONDITION, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY FASTEN THE SEAT BELT.

Consequence: AN OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY WEARING A SEAT BELT MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2007-11-28 (November 28, 2007)

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, HIGH STRESS AREAS MAY HAVE BEEN CREATED IN TWO SPECIFIC FUEL PIPES LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COMBINED WITH OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE PRESENCE OF CORROSIVE AGENTS IN FUEL, A CRACK MAY FORM OVER TIME LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINE(S).

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO INVOLVED FUEL LINES WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2009-01-16 (January 16, 2009)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 214,570 MY 2006-2008 LEXUS IS, MY 2006-2007 GS AND MY 2007-2008 LS PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM FUEL DELIVERY PIPES (FUEL RAILS). ETHANOL FUELS WITH A LOW MOISTURE CONTENT WILL CORRODE THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL RAILS. AS THIS CONDITION PROGRESSES, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.

Consequence: OVER TIME, THE CORROSION MAY CREATE A PINHOLE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA/LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2009-10-05 (October 5, 2009)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2010-10-21 (October 21, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2011-01-26 (January 26, 2011)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.