Total Complaints
12 filings
LEXUS IS · model year
2004 LEXUS IS
12 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004LEXUSIS carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 IS is unknown or other with 5 filings, followed by structure (3) and air bags (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 IS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
12
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
Recalls (1)
09E01200007/04/2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Recent Complaints
20151012AIR BAGS
MELTING DASH BOARD TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER, LEAVES RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND WHEN YOU TOUCH IT REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN COOL OR HOT AREAS.
Mileage: 120,000
20151012UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MELTING DASH BOARD TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER, LEAVES RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND WHEN YOU TOUCH IT REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN COOL OR HOT AREAS.
Mileage: 120,000
20150805UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005. IT HAD 300 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD A STUCK VENT SINCE 8 BOUGHT IT ON TO OF THE DASH AND THE REPAINT THAT NOW LOOKS LIKE CRAP. BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD. I HAVE BEEN BURNT BY THE MELTING WHATEVER IT IS MAKE OF. IT HAS STUCK TO MY HAND AND LEFT A BLISTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY OTHERS MODELS WERE RECALLED AND NOT THE 2004 IS300???? ODVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IF YOU ARE RESEARCHING TO BUY A LEXUS SAVE YOUR MONEY!
Mileage: 40,000
20150702UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2004 LEXUS IS300 AND HAVE THE SAME DASH MELTING ISSUE THAT OTHER PEOPLE IS HAVING. STARTING FROM 2007 THE DASH STARTED TO MELT AND TOOK TO DEAL BACK THEN AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. RECENTLY GOT A LETTER FOR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE FOR MY OTHER 2007 LEXUS ES350 WITH SAME ISSUE OF MELTING DASH. I THINK LEXUS SHOULD ALSO DO A REPLACEMENT FOR ALL 2004 IS300 FOR DASH PROBLEM.
Mileage: 48,000
20150513UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. WHEN TOUCHED IT LEAVES PRINTS AND FEELS STICKY. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR A FEW YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I'M CONCERNED IT MAY BE TOXIC.
20150513AIR BAGS
2004 LEXUS IS300 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2008. AS EVIDENCED BY MANY CLAIMS ON DIFFERENT LEXUS/TOYOTA VEHICLES THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE IS "MELTING." 2006 AND UP LEXUS IS MODELS HAVE AN EXISTING RECALL. 2002-2005 LEXUS IS MODELS DO NOT HAVE THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. BEING A FATHER OF A 5-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE MY SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THREEFOLD... 1. FUMES AND/OR VAPORS BEING RELEASED INTO THE AIR AND BEING INHALED BY MYSELF AND/OR DAUGHTER. 2. AIRBAG PANEL IS AFFECTED AND WORRIES ME THAT DEPLOYMENT MIGHT BE AFFECTED. 3. GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD FROM MELTING PLASTIC.
Mileage: 70,000
20150513UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2004 LEXUS IS300 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2008. AS EVIDENCED BY MANY CLAIMS ON DIFFERENT LEXUS/TOYOTA VEHICLES THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE IS "MELTING." 2006 AND UP LEXUS IS MODELS HAVE AN EXISTING RECALL. 2002-2005 LEXUS IS MODELS DO NOT HAVE THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. BEING A FATHER OF A 5-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE MY SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THREEFOLD... 1. FUMES AND/OR VAPORS BEING RELEASED INTO THE AIR AND BEING INHALED BY MYSELF AND/OR DAUGHTER. 2. AIRBAG PANEL IS AFFECTED AND WORRIES ME THAT DEPLOYMENT MIGHT BE AFFECTED. 3. GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD FROM MELTING PLASTIC.
Mileage: 70,000
20150104CrashAIR BAGS
MY 2004 IS300 WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OTHER VEHICLE (SATURN) HIT MY CAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, DAMAGING THE SUSPENSION, FENDER, BUMPER, AND SURROUNDING PARTS. AFTER IMPACT MY CAR WENT UP THE CURB, OVER SOME LARGE ROCKS AND RESTED ON AN INCLINE. I SUFFERED NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK PAIN AND WAS TREATED BY A CHIROPRACTOR. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IT. *TR
Mileage: 101,350
20150104STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 LEXUS IS300 IS MELTING; FEELS STICKY TO THE TOUGH, FINGERPRINTS CAN OCCUR, SCRATCHES VERY EASILY, AS TIME GOES BY IT BECOMES LESS AND LESS ATTRACTIVE, HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH IT, AND WHILE CLEANING IT. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND THERE IS NO REMEDIATION ON THEIR PART. *TR
Mileage: 79,675
20141105STRUCTURE
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE PLASTIC IS STICKY AND LEAVES A BLACK FILM ON ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT INCLUDING FINGERS AND CLOTHING. THE BLACK RESIDUE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF ONCE IT IS ON SOMETHING. JUST WASHING HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH SOAP AND WATER IS NOT ENOUGH TO REMOVE IT. *TR
Mileage: 61,247
20140821STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN DETERIORATING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. CONTACTED DEALER AND LEXUS HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AS CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I EXPECT BETTER FROM A SO-CALLED LUXURY VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER'S 1998 ACURA'S DASHBOARD IS STILL PRISTINE. NOT ONLY DOES THE MELTING MATERIAL LEAVE BLACK MARKS ON ANYTHING IT TOUCHES, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT TOXICITY. *TR
20120516WHEELS
THERE IS A DANGEROUS POTHOLE EASTBOUND ON LIE NEAR FRESH MEADOWS EXIT. DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE POTHOLE WAS UNAVOIDABLE AS WE WERE LESS THAN 20 FEET BETWEEN THE CAR AHEAD OF US. THE POTHOLE WAS ON THE MIDDLE LANE. IT RESULTED IN A FLAT, A TOW, AND A BRAND NEW TIRE REPLACEMENT.
Mileage: 103,000
Compare 2004LEXUSIS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2004 LEXUS IS have?▼
The 2004 LEXUS IS has 12 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 LEXUS IS?▼
Yes, the 2004 LEXUS IS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 LEXUS IS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 LEXUS IS is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2004 LEXUS IS safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.