Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Lexus IS 250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and produced a glare that impaired vision while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Lexus of new orleans (8811 veterans memorial blvd, metairie, la 70003, [phone]) where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 95,000. * consumer stated recall on dashboard's warranty expired after 10years of first use. Updated 11/7/18
Dash cracking, sticky trunk button, door pan els discolored . First owner purchased new. Garage keep entire period since purchase in 08. I always wanted to have a Lexus and on my 50th bithday and purchased a new one. I wanted a Lexus because it meant quality. I understand Toyota /Lexus issued a notice to dealers but not a recall notice. I never recieved any notice from my local dealer or Lexus regarding this defect until the replacement plan had expired. Class action suit was dropped when Toyota/Lexus agreed to replace dash and door panels back 10 years and no milage cap on certain vehicles, mine included. I would like this replaced in a timely fashion at no charge. I can't even trade or sell my vehicle for real,value of a garage kept vehicle with these issues. Why IS it Lexus can't do better for its customers and not leave me in limbo? …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. While driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed from a stop position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with carbon build up. There was no repair solution. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several years later and the motor was rebuilt. The vehicle had several top carbon clean outs, but the issue persisted. The contact also stated that the dashboard and the inner door panels were melting. The failures made it difficult to see out the widow due to a glare coming through the windshield. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the door panel and dashboard started to melt, crack, and become sticky. The dealer (Lexus of tampa bay, 5852 n dale mabry hwy., tampa, fl 33614) stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall; however, they stopped doing repairs in November of 2017. The manufacturer was also contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,800.
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.
I have been complaining to the Lexus dealership, and then to corporate Lexus for several years about my dashboard and doors disintegrating, melting away. I have 47,893 miles on the car which IS garaged the majority of the day/nights. I have had my car serviced and maintained solely at germaine Lexus of naples. This has been a huge consumer issue per the internet, as well as confirmed by the customer service rep I spoke to at Lexus. B Lexus has repeatedly offered to pay for half.....which I find ridiculous. I have a 2000 Isuzu rodeo with 125,000 miles, that has never been recalled, the dash, sunroof, and electronics still work....unlike my "luxury" Lexus. This should be a warranty item, it IS not - rather, should not be a replaceable part like brakes, clutch, seat motor, etc. This IS the dashboard in places that one IS unable to access with any body part! …
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. …
It was 90 degrees out and my dashboard was so gooey like sticky I was on my way to work and had a glare half the size of my windshield very dangerous could barely see on a sunny day. Door panels melt also leaving particles in your fingernails gotta clean my kids nails everyday and make sure they wash there hands everytime opening the door cause kids will be kids and sticks fingers in there mouths im very nervous about these particles falling off and melting we are breathing in whatever hazardous material IS used to make the dash . The glare IS very dangerous they need to recall these dashboards im scared everytime I get in my car this IS very dangerous sometimes you cant see people crossing the street .this needs to be recalled I got tons of pictures of the glare and the sticky dash its my whole dashboard and my door panels its all melting I took it to Lexus for major concern they …
I have noticed over the past 2 years my dash slowly getting shinier and more sticky to the touch. I have tried using quality car plastic/vinyl cleaners to resolve the issue but to no avail. In fact, the dash IS so sticky that using a cloth to clean it causes fibers to adhere to the dash. The safety concern IS that the shine IS producing glare on the inside of the windshield which in turn makes it more difficult to see while driving (especially on sunny days when the sun IS high). After doing some research online, it appears that this IS a very common issue (especially for those living in warmer climates such as myself) and needs to be resolved for the safety of all drivers experiencing the issue.
My whole interior IS melting in my car. Large wet spots on dash that make visibility nearly impossible when the sun IS shining in the car on the dash board. The cars door panels also have the same issue, which black residue gets on the skin and clothing after brushing up against it. The car IS a safety and health hazard and the local Lexus dealership as well as the corporate office will not step in and own up to their defective interior. I have told them multiple times that this IS a safety issue and they have no concern and tell me they deny any assistance because I am out of warranty. Please help!
Body complaints in other IS 250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 Lexus IS 250?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 Lexus IS 250, 23% of the model year's 125 complaints. The component named most often is body (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Lexus IS 250 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2008 Lexus IS 250, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Lexus IS 250 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.