2006 Lexus IS 250 Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Knee bolster
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  13%
• 25k–50k
  310%
• 50k–75k
  516%
• 75k–100k
  619%
• 100k–150k
  1239%
• 150k+
  413%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Lexus IS 250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS250. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light activated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag sensor on the driver's side needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Lexus IS 250. While driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle attempted to make a left turn without stopping. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into the passenger side of that other vehicle. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The failure mileage was 130,000.

My wife has taken such good care of this car and always goes to the dealer when it needs work, except for oil changes which she goes to Goodyear for. I had gotten tired of the recall for the dash and door panels recall and thought she had waited long enough since she was on the list and it seemed they were trying to "out wait" us until the car was sold or something. When I called Lexus headquarters, the lady was nice but mentioned it had a recall for the passenger airbag and said no one should sit in the passenger seat. I am appalled at the unprofessional way this was made public to us. It was supposed to be a notice in the mail which we never got. I sat in that seat many times, as well as other friends and family. For a problem this serious, which could result in death, I have lost faith in Lexus. They have become like all the other dealerships. …

Takata recall. The car has been sent to check since last year for instability when driven and the air bag light on. Dealer told that a code b1861 showed, system was resettled by dealer and the code didn't duplicate for diagnostic. I was never informed that there was a dangerous problem with the air bags. Air bags were not changed (5/21/2016). Car was sent to dealer a couple of times for electrical problem caused when the front of the car was updated to 2012 front. Lights stopped working and one of the fog lights broke (exploded). The dealer doing the job sent the car to the Lexus dealer again. Supposedly, they fixed the electrical problem. My car continued with problems of the dash getting melted. They changed it finally, but it was happening again this year. I took the car to the dealer to fix that and they told me that it had a recall for the air bags. …

IS 250 dash has melted and creates harsh glare and reflects into the windshield blocking the view out the front (see the attached picture in which the gooey surface of the dash IS blocking the view of other vehicles on the road) when driving east or west towards the sun making it dangerous to drive. The problem IS worst on hot days when the dash becomes more tacky, gooey, and reflective. The dash also seems to off gas and create a haze that builds on the windshield. Toyota IS replacing some off the dashes and interiors through a "warranty enhancement" but will not replace mine because the vehicle has been in a wreck, had an insurance claim, and been repaired. This voids their "enhancement". The issue IS present on many Lexus vehicles, though and can be a hazard. They will not fix my vehicle because this issue IS not yet a recall. …

I noticed my airbag light was on while driving. Restarting the car seemed to solve the issue at first, days went by and I never saw the light again. Few days later light was on again. I had to restart the car 4 times before it went off. So I took it to the dealer and asked to have a look at it. They told me that the wire harness was bad and they are aware of this issue IS Lexus IS models. They have a TSB l-sb-0167-08 assigned to this. The solution to fix this IS to replace the whole harness which will cost upwards of $3500 and apparently this IS caused due to the restraint on the harness and it automatically disables the deployment of the airbags. This IS a major safety issue which should be addressed by Lexus corporate and a safety recall should be applicable to this hazard. This IS not regular wear and tear and requires immediate attention to all Lexus IS model vehicle owners.

Takata recall - airbag light has been on. They replaced recalled inflator. Light IS still on. Dealer now says it's a wiring harness. About $2500 to replace. After researching on internet, many people are having same problem. A technical service bulletin ya been issued to the dealers and covered by warranty to 72 months or 70,000 miles. My car has 88,200 miles. Most people that solved the problem in their own have said this IS connection issue from the harness connectors to the igniters. They are vibrating loose. I am disappointed Lexus doesn't offer more support on this issue as it's severely hazardous for many in this situation. If it's a connection issue, it's ridiculous dealers are charging thousands of dollars to fix an entire harness. Can anything be done?

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. Lexus of albuquerque new Mexico (4821 pan American fwy, albuquerque, nm 87109, [phone]) stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags), but the warning indicator was not related to the Takata recall. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by the wiring harness to the air bag sensor, which would cost approximately $3,000 to repair. The manufacturer was contacted and case number: 1808280653 was filed. The contact was promised a call back within 24 hours from a case manager. The failure mileage was 176,000.

Airbag indicator on dash randomly comes on then goes off. This happened again most recently on 10-20-15. Apparently this IS due to a defective wiring harness from the manufacturer effecting 2006 to 2008 vehicles, which when in a failed state disables the airbag system entirely......updated 12/07/15 contact noticed airbag light would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel for the last 5 yrs or so. Updated 4/24/18 updated 05/17/18

I drove my car to work with no abnormal lights on the dash. After working 7 hours I returned to my car and started it after a few seconds I looked up to notice the airbag light was illuminated. I turned the car off waited a few seconds and started it again and the light IS still on. I have read that this IS a common issue with the airbag wiring harness and can cost up to $3500 to repair.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other IS 250 years