Visibility Related Problems of the 2006 Lexus IS

Table 1 shows one common visibility related problems of the 2006 Lexus IS.

Table 1. Visibility related problems of Lexus IS

Problem Category Number of Problems
Wiper problems
29

Wiper problem #1

My dashboard Is melting and I understand that there was a campaign to resolve this that ended in 2016. I bought the vehicle in 2019 and it has only gotten worse to the point that the dashboard has a sheen to it that causes a glare on the interior of the windshield when the sunlight hits it, making visibility very difficult.

Wiper problem #2

The dashboard glares when it Is sunny outside and at night when cars are driving past on the other side, this Is a huge safety Issue as it impairs visibility. The dashboard Is also very sticky.

Wiper problem #3

Under hot conditions the dashboard and door materials starts to become sticky and it becomes ultra shiny which reflects on the windshield and when the sun Is up you can totally loose visibility in front of you, has happened to me a few time when I have to stop because it becomes very dangerous.

Wiper problem #4

The dashboard Is melting a known error to Lexus and when the sun hits it reflects off the melted dash and puts a glare on the windshield. Lexus knew about the problem and instead of doing a recall they did an extended warranty back in 2017. I took mine in and assumed they replaced dash and door panels. Called this year because my dash was melting and they stated all they did was the door panels back in 2017. I have informed my local dealership as well as corporate and neither seem willing to help or fix the Issue. There are all kinds of write up online about this Issue. It Is definitely a safety Issue that should have been addressed a while back but wasn’t.

Wiper problem #5

My car unfortunately Is subject to the sticky/melting dash which Is notorious of being a huge problem with my generation of vehicle. That being the 2nd generation of Lexus Is250/350/f which affect the models made from 2006-2013. Lexus made a “customer offer” which entitled owners being able to go get it fix, however not all owners were made aware of this due to it not being a full on recall but more of a “promotion” that Lexus was doing. I unfortunately was one of many other owners who were not made aware of the promotion taking place and are now according to Lexus too late to fix the Issue because the offer “expired”. My sticky dash in particular Is very bad. It reflects off into the windshield making it very difficult to see the road clearly when it Is glaring due to the sticky/melting dash. It not only poses a safety hazard for me, but to everyone else on the road due to it not letting me see clearly due to how bad the glare Is. I was told by Lexus that there Is nothing they can do but to pay out of my pocket (3-4k) in order to have it replaced. Lexus claims to “care” for their customers yet are not owning up to help us owners because there special promotion Is expired. Knowing how bad the Issue was and how practically all cars were subject to the Issue, why not make a recall instead of a “promotion”. They screwed over their customers. They screwed over me. I can’t drive my car without fearing for my safety, all due to Lexus not wanted to fix their error when they made the dashboard incorrectly. I hope something can be done because I know there are many other Lexus Is250/350/f owners out there that were unfortunate to not have it fix also. It should be a recall, not some limited “promotion” that only a few knew about. It Is a “if you were lucky to know” sort of deal and that should not be the case. Especially not when it starts to affect the safety of others and one self.

Wiper problem #6

My dashboard Is melting due to a manufacturing defect. The glare from my dashboard makes driving difficult as the glare can blind you. The chemical smell from the melting Is horrible. I have placed a dash cover on which has helped but if I am in an accident this dash cover will impede the correct deployment of my airbag on the passenger side. Also the inside door panels are melting and are becoming a "putty" like substance. Everything sticks to it. Including my clothes. While driving I have had to jerk my arm from the rest on the door trim to remove it. This can cause my vehicle to possibly swerve off the road or into oncoming traffic. Warranty enhancement program – zld and customer support program zlz were the remedies for this Issue. But these have expired. The manufacturer will not honor this or consider this a safety / hazardous Issue and correct it now. This Is a safety Issue and needs to be addressed.

Wiper problem #7

Rear view mirror has degraded and Is a common problem. Has black spots and lines that render it unusable and prevent the driver from being able to see behind them via utilization of the mirror leading to accidents.

Wiper problem #8

Speckled/scratched rear view mirror. Visibility on the rear view mirror Is becoming difficult due to scratches and spots that just came by itself as time has passed. This Issue Is becoming a serious safety Issue.

Wiper problem #9

Inside rear view mirror Is discolored and Is difficult to see from. The mirror has not been damaged or subjected to extreme conditions. The vehicle has been garaged 80% of the time. This Is not normal wear and tear, as I have had vehicles older than this one and have not experienced deterioration of the mirror. The problem started in 2010 and Is getting worse. I can barely see out of the mirror. The "fix" Is to replace the mirror at a cost of nearly $1300. 00. It appears as this Is a common complaint for owners of this vehicle.

Wiper problem #10

My dashboard Is melting at an extremely fast pace. I can barely see if the sun Is shining in my car the right way, dash and side panels are melting, called Lexus they won't do anything about it.

Wiper problem #11

Rear view mirror has black spots forming. It Is obstructing the view from the rear view mirror thus creating a potential safety hazard. Black spots are forming inside the mirror and not on the surface.

Wiper problem #12

Melted dashboard and door panels - 2006 Lexus Is350 - under heat and humidity, the dashboard on certain Lexus models melt which gives off a glare to the driver and passenger which makes it difficult to see the road during the day without sunglasses. This Is a hazard because I can not see the car in front of me when it brakes unless I wear sunglasses. Lexus has given a complimentary satisfaction repair but with a deadline to be on a waiting list. This should not be a "complimentary" repair, this should be a mandatory replacement for the hazard it can cause the driver and the drivers on the road. I have reported this to Lexus head quarters and they denied my request for repair due to not being on the list by end of may 2017. When in motion, this car should not be operated by anyone with visibility Issues.

Wiper problem #13

My 2006 Is 250 71,000 miles has black spots and discolorations on my rear view mirror. It Is almost as if someone sprayed it with something that didn't come off, or peeled a sticker off, definitely it Isn¿t clear and won't clean. Part 571 < 571. 110571. 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 clear and reasonably unobstructed view to the rear.

Wiper problem #14

The dashboard of my 2006 Lexus Is250 Is slowly melting and becoming sticky. Unfortunately as it has, deteriorated the dashboard really reflects the light, so much so that it becomes blinding at times. I have not treated my dash with any chemicals or cleaners this Is a known problem among Lexus owners, it just at times becomes very worrisome since the glare from the dash onto my windshield becomes blinding at times if the light hits it right.

Wiper problem #15

Back in sept 2014, I notice a brown stripe in the rear view mirror, but I tough it was dirty, then after a few months it got worse, and now Is very difficult to see, I think it should be an investigation of this problem and a recall because there are many owners of this model with that problem. There Is no reason for a mirror to turn brown like that unless Is like 50 yrs old.

Wiper problem #16

I have a melting dashboard. The dashboard has been turning soft, gooey, and shiny over the years. If I reach for something on the dashboard a piece of the dashboard comes off with the slightest touch of my hand. The shine Is extremely dangerous in that it obstructs and distracts the view of the driver. A recall should be alerted to resolve this Issue. Ive contacted Lexus about this Issue several times and I get no help from regarding the dashboard.

Wiper problem #17

The dashboard on my Lexus Is250 has started to litterally melt. It Is very sticky to the touch and very shiny. The shinyness causes a very serious glare on my front windshield which can blind the driver.

Wiper problem #18

The dashboard Is melting and Is so shiny when the sun or light hits the windshield it blinds you very very dangerous something must be done no one else should have to die before you guys force Toyota/ Lexus to recall and fix this problem !!!!!!.

Wiper problem #19

My navigation system screen stopped working while 1000 miles away from home. The biggest problem with the screen going out was the fact that all of the heating and air conditioning controls are ran through that same unit. Without being able to adjust my temperature in the vehicle I am not able to defrost the windshield in times when it may fog up.

Wiper problem #20

The rear view mirror has become blackened with spots over time, visibility Is reduced.

Wiper problem #21

Bought a certified pre-owned 2006 Lexus Is250 from hawaii dealer, noticed there was a massively blinding glare from the dashboard when driving during the morning and evening hours. Upon further inspection the dashboard and various other interior trim pieces felt soft/sticky and would easily scratch and gouge. This has been a known problem among owners of 2006-2013 Lexus Is sedans.

Wiper problem #22

The dash of my vehicle melts on moderately warm days. It gets so shiny that it reflects off the windshield, making it very difficult to see. Others have also complained about the fumes making them physically ill. The manufacturer had a brief program (zld) to replace the dashboard, but I did not receive a notification and missed the very short window. I don't understand how this Is something that they can now refuse to fix in my vehicle when it clearly affects safety. This Is a recurring and persistent Issue and has been for years.

Wiper problem #23

I bought this vehicle used from a dealership in miami, FL. The first couple of weeks I noticed the driver and passenger door panels were getting scratched by simply touching them. A couple of weeks after that, the dashboard on the vehicle started to "melt" and became very sticky. Also by simply touching the dashboard, it become/becomes scratched and pieces come out when touched with fingernails. Sometimes it Is difficult/impossible to see when the sun Is out because it creates a huge glare due to the dash melting. This problem has been getting worst as time passes. I contacted the dealer regarding the problem and they told me they were aware of it but I would have to pay the labor and dash cost if I wanted the problem to go away, est cost: $1200. The same problems are on driver, passenger and backseat door panels.

Wiper problem #24

My rear view mirror Is discolored and has black spots on it. It's a safety Issue and it's difficult to see. I've told the dealer several times and they said it would cost over 800 to replace the part. I see many Lexus owners have the same Issue and I believe its a defalt in the part. I dont think I should pay 800 to have it replaced.

Wiper problem #25

Rear view mirror on my 2006 Lexus Is350 has horrible visibility. It Is not damaged on the surface. The surface Is smooth and clean, however there are multiple spots where visibility Is not available.

Wiper problem #26

The entire dashboard and top section of the front door panels in my 2006 Lexus Is250 are basically melting. The consistency has deteriorated so drastically that the dash Is shiny, sticky and covered in small nicks and scratches. The dash Is so soft even the slightest touch leaves a permanent scar! efforts to clean or treat the dash/door panels are useless - anything I use just sticks. My clothes have been ruined by black sticky residue from simply coming in contact with the door panels. The sheen from the melting dash reflects directly onto the windshield at such an angle that it's difficult to see in some lighting. This Is obviously a manufacturing error Lexus refuses to correct. Any help Is greatly appreciated.

Wiper problem #27

Dash started to melt in the sun. Dash became brittle and sticky and glared in the sun. Lexus replaced the dash as a good will gesture. Now my door panels are doing the same. They Issued a technical Issue on this. But still won't replace as no recall has been Issued yet. I can pay the 2000. 00 and if a recall Is done they will reimburse me. Known Issue on 06-08 Lexus, Toyota and mazadas. Tsib#. L-sb-0144-11. . Read more...

Wiper problem #28

After spending lots of money on Lexus I didn't expect for it to be melting. The whole dashboard and side panels are turning sticky and melting. When I touch it my fingers turn black and sticky. Its also hard to see when the sun shines directly on the car because the dash reflects the sun from the windshield.

Wiper problem #29

Sun causes shiny dash which results in a safety Issue with resulting excessive glare on the windshield. Cracks and splitting in dash may result in possible degradation to the passenger front air bag because the cracks and splits in dash could potentially cause the airbags to deploy.


Visibility related problems in other Lexus IS model year vehicles:



IS Service Bulletins
IS Safety Recalls
IS Defect Investigations