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 2006 Lexus IS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS. The contact stated that the dashboard was melted and was causing vision impairment while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The vehicle was inspected, and the diagnosis was confirmed. The contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus IS350. The contact stated that while driving during hot weather, the dashboard would get very hot and sticky. The contact stated that the glare from the melting dashboard reflects off the windshield causing a visibility hazard. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
My dash and door panels are sticky and crumbling to pieces. Also, my door handles aren't working on the car. Every time I open the door the handles are stuck on the driver and passenger side. Also, my floor mats are constantly wet and I'm not sure why. I don't want it to get worst and build mold or start to rust.
The dashboard IS turning into a sticky shiny mess. In bright sunlight the dash IS so shiny that it reflects the sunshine back into the inside of the windshield making it very hard to see out when driving in certain conditions. Although the dash looks terrible and one could think that it's just a cosmetic issue, that IS not the case as the conditions that the dashboard reflects the light into the windshield can make for hazardous driving or accidents.
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.
I noticed that the dash board and the side panels (both sides -drivers and passenger side) on my Lexus-IS-350 have been melting away since July 2010 and after much complaint, the dealer replaced the dash board cover in February 2013. However the dealership service department refuses to replace the side panels. They named the problem as a "cosmetic concern" on 2/26/2013 when I complained that the color of the replaced dash did not match and the material appeared to be of lower quality. I learned recently from an investigative report in south florida (nbc- 6) that the Lexus had issued a service bulletin in 2011 about this manufacturer defect problem (called interior panel shining...."sticky leather problem"). But the dealership never informed me of this service bulletin at the time it came to them. …
My dash and doors are melting. I took my car to Lexus last year and they offered to pay for half, but my half was too expensive for me to pay, 3,000.00. I also don't feel that I should pay for a melting car when I take excellent care of my car. It IS always in the garage when I am at home, and I keep a sun shield in the dash when I am at work. I love my car and it only has 78,000 miles; it runs great, but it IS melting! I called Lexus again when I heard a story on the news that others were having the same issue. They told me to have it inspected again, and then informed me that they would probably not pay for the repair because my car IS a 2006. I will never be able to sell it unless I resolve this issue. I am so frustrated.
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.
Dashboard and side interior door panels appear to be melting and cracking. Lexus agreed to partially pay for replacement of the dashboard, to which I had to agree because of safety concerns. Dashboard would reflect light, causing problems seeing out of the windshield. Lexus also agreed to partially pay for door panels, but because my cost would still have been over $1500, I could not accept their offer. I was told at the dealer that they had never seen this, which I later came to find out this was an ongoing problem. A service bulletin was issued months prior that I was never notified about.
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 mazdas. Tsib#. L-sb-0144-11. Http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/IS-second-generation/[VIN]-melting-dash-and-doors-tsib-l-sb-0144-11.pdf. Thank you.
Body complaints in other IS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Lexus IS?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Lexus IS, 30% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is body (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Lexus IS body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Lexus IS, though it has 7 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 2006 Lexus IS body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 7% 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.