NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Lexus IS. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
This model was affected by the originally cosmetic, but well documented "sticky dash" recall. I am an automotive enthusiast who has worked within the industry for over 12 years, including notifying customers of NHTSA recalls and assisting with scheduling recalls to be performed. The dashboard can be severely melted to the point of becoming a mirror finish, I was driving at night in the headlights from an opposing truck reflected off the shiny surface of the dashboard having been melted by sunlight. I have great vision and was wearing prescription lenses, the incident nearly caused an oncoming collision. I slid into a ditch briefly and did not sustain damage to my vehicle.
See attached document for complaint.
The dashboard is melting - it is sticky and shiny. The glare it causes on the windshield is horrific. I have a very difficult time seeing when the sun is out. An independent service center has inspected and confirmed it is caused by the melting dashboard. I first noticed it a few months ago. I travel to Nashville often, which is a 3.5 hour drive, and the sight obstruction at interstate driving speeds and traffic is challenging to say the least. I am afraid to drive my car with my granddaughter in with me because it is truly dangerous.
I am writing to bring to your attention the grave matter of odometer rollback fraud, consumer law violations, and a series of fraudulent activities that have occurred in connection with my recent vehicle purchase. I am seeking a settlement of $60,000 to rectify the significant damages and hardships I have endured as a result of these unethical practices. The issues at hand stem from the fraudulent rollback of the odometer by 100,000 miles on the vehicle I purchased from a moving rides dealership. This deception has not only violated various consumer protection laws and Department of Motor Vehicle regulations but has also endangered my safety and well-being by knowingly selling me a vehicle that was not roadworthy and unsafe to operate . In light of these unfortunate events, I would like to detail a few aspects for which I am seeking compensation: 1. Reimbursement for Travel Expenses: I incurred considerable expenses, both monetary and time-wise, traveling a total of 1,025 miles for trips related to the purchase and subsequent issues with the vehicle. The 22 hours spent on the road and the three days of missed work have imposed severe financial strain. 2. Insurance Payment Refund: I was coerced into obtaining insurance coverage before taking possession of the vehicle, due to misrepresentation of the condition of the vehicle I didn’t get to take the car home till three weeks after the purchase. 3. Down Payment Refund: The undue distress caused by this fraudulent transaction warrants the return of my initial down payment. 4. Legal Fees and Filing Costs: Pursuing justice has come at a significant cost, both in terms of legal representation and filing fees, which I believe should be compensated. 5. Vehicle Rental Reimbursement: The unsafe condition of the purchased vehicle, compounded by expired tags, made it essential for me to secure alternative transportation for both work and personal use. 6. Restitution for Pain and Suffering
EXHAUST HEADER LEAK, AUDIBLE TICKING SOUND ONCE WARMED UP IN DRIVE
VALLEY PLATE LEAK DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS UTILIZED THE IMPROPER SEALANT AND USED THE IMPROPER AMOUNT, LEADING TO THE HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKING COOLANT ONCE THE ORIGINAL, INADEQUATE SEALANT BEGINS TO DISENTEGRATE. THIS COULD CAUSE A CONDITION WHERE THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. FURTHERMORE, ALL ISFS WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A CRACKED RH MANIFOLD ON THE #8 RUNNER. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD IN ADDITION TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
THE FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO STALL AND DIE. WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE MOTOR AND WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.
WHILE PARK AT A STOP LIGHT, THE AUTO, THIRD IN LINE WAS IMPACTED BY A TRUCK TRAVELING 40-50 MPH, NO BRAKING, AND HIT AND RUN. MY WIFE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR, WHICH WAS DRIVEN INTO A PICKUP AND SUBSEQUENTLY INTO A BUICK. OF THE 12 AIRBAGS AVAILABLE, NOT ONE ACTUATED, CAUSING SERIOUS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BRUISING WITH THE SEAT BELT AND STEERING WHEEL IMPACT. THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTING, DAMAGE MORE THAN $50,000. IN ADDITION, A BROKEN WRIST RESULTED. COMPLAINTS TO THE LOCAL DEALER CONCERNING LACK OF SAFETY FROM AIR BAGS WENT UNANSWERED AND COMMENTS FROM NATIONAL OFFICE SAID THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO OPERATE. SINCE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED, SHE IS AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AS WE CONSIDER IT UNSAFE. I DID NOT KNOW WHO ELSE TO COMPLAIN TO AND AM ADDING THIS NOTE TO WHAT WILL PROBABLY BE A GROWING DATABASE. I COULD NOT PROVIDE THE VIN, AS THE CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JS