Melting Dashboard & Door Panels

7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
64,250 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace dashboard/door panels (7 reports)
  2. replace all affected areas where melting occurs (5 reports)
  3. replace dashboard (1 reports)
  4. trade in (1 reports)
2008 Lexus LS 460 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2008 Lexus LS 460 Owner Comments

problem #14

Sep 282017

LS 460 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Besides the dashboard, door panel and side of armrest is melting.everything else works good.

- Polished Nail Spa P., West Palm Beach, FL, US

problem #13

Jan 012017

LS 460

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

My trunk unlock melted, dashboard is sticky-melted and shiny-produces glare that is destracting ehile driving.the armrest and console hav cracked and pieces have come off exposing the foam beneath. My year is not listed for this malady....but it is horrible. I will nver be able to trade it in—looks and smells horrible.

- Claire T., Mandeville, US

problem #12

Aug 012017

LS 460 LS 460

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

I talked to Lexus three times and got no results. I was promised a letter of rejection but never got it. When I call one month later I was told my complaint was closed because I never followed up with them. They have a customer complaint program but my car is not included by Model/year. Models before and after mine are listed but not the 460LS, 2008. I paid $70,000 for the car and have always kept in a garage. Lexus sucks. Would not buy another one based on the problems I have had with this one.

- Don V., Panama City, FL, US

problem #11

Dec 182012

LS 460 LS 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All of the non-leather interior panels (dashboard, console, door panels, etc.) developed this "melting plastic" problem. Sadly, Lexus never mentioned this to us even though they performed maintenance and warranty work on our car over the years. I have owned 3 Lexus vehicles (GS, RX, LS) over the years and have always been impressed with both the quality of the cars and quality of the service... UNTIL NOW. Just now finding out that 1) Lexus never included the 2008 Lexus in the "Customer Support Program" even though it has the EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE MATERIALS as the 2007 LS460, which WAS included in the "Customer Support Program", and 2) They never notified me that this was a well-known problem for LS460's in the southern U.S. due to the high temperatures experienced inside closed cars during the summer heat.

Update from Aug 16, 2018: UPDATE AS OF 8/14/2018:

Contacted Lexus Executive Team in Plano. They basically made me play "ring around the rosie" having me send in pictures and then having me go to dealer so they could take pictures, all to tell me that "unfortunately" (for me only, I guess) they had chosen to do nothing about the defective materials used in my car.

Certainly not surprised. It was what I had expected them to do all along, but not what I'd hoped they would do.

- peretom, Houston, US

problem #10

Mar 022018

LS 460

  • Manual transmission
  • 89,792 miles

The smell is the biggest thing. I love my car, but every time I get in, I get this nasty paste type junk under my nails. The armrest is cracking and it's very soft. Why won't Lexus fix this problem?

- James W., Harvey, LA, US

problem #9

Jun 152017

LS 460 LS 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

melting leather, dashboard, armrests , door panels

i took it to jm lexus where i purchased this vehicle over 4 months ago and they told me that i needed to be approved as a goodwill case because the 2008 LS 460 wasn't covered and i'm still waiting just to see if my charity case is approved . it's been over 4 months and no final answer after i spent 30,000 dollars before my trade in deal with my 2006 chrysler 300 c r/t and i'm considered a goodwill or what i consider it to be a charity case . This should of been a recall since the lexus manager told me she had been doing hundreds of these melting leather issues and she was one of many managers who have been bogged down with these complaints.I WANT MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED BY TOYOTA OR LEXUS WITHOUT ANY COST TO ME SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2015 WITH AN ASSURANCE THATALL ISSUES WERE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.

- Ron S., Boynton Beach, FL, US

problem #8

Aug 012011

LS 460 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2008 Lexus LS-460 drives smooth as can be; However the interior panels have the worst material ever I have ever seen, they peel by just touching them, and when they are not peeling, they feel like sticky wet rubber, I am embarrassed to have someone in my car. Lexus is known for the quality of their product, which has not been proven in my car. I have called and made complaints, only to find out that they will only fix 2007. I am very disappointed in Lexus.

- Glenda H., Beaumont, US

problem #7

May 012017

LS 460

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

There was a recall on 2007 but not 2008, it is the same dash and same problem

- Phil B., Eustis, US

problem #6

Jan 012014

LS 460

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

click to see larger images

melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels

Park the car in the sun for 1 hr and all panels front rear, glove compartment center console and sides start melting. I have to use hand towels on the door handles. Steering also feels sticky. Fix my car Please.

- HANIF B., Boynton Beach, FL, US

problem #5

Jul 012015

LS 460 LS 460

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

I have read that they are fixing the same problem on the 2007 models. I bought my car in Nov of 2007 but it is a 2008 model. Why dont they want to fix mine? I called the dealer and the lady said they would fix it as a courtesy but when I took it in they just said they would take pics and let me know what Lexus would do and call me. This was over a month ago and I have not heard a word. When it is hot here, as it does get here in Fl. the dash and side panels feel like they have glue on them. I have bought over a dozen cars from Lexus in the past, all LS models. I dont feel they are treating a loyal customer like they should. I love my car but this problem is certainly a matter of bad material that was used in production. M. Day

Update from Mar 13, 2017: The dealer is fixing as a courtesy. They have replaced the dashboard and are waiting for the door panels to come in. I am very pleased they are doing this, I understand some dealers will not. Maybe its because I have purchased 10 or 12 cars from them,, all LS models. over the years. They have made a lot of money but they are treating me good so I have no complaints. M.H.Day in Orlando.

Update from Aug 22, 2017: They replaced the Dashboard a few months ago but still have not replaced the worse problem, the interior panels, and will not give me even an estimate of when they will. In fact, they wont tell me anything. My wife will not even ride in the car because, "is ickey" and ruins her clothes that touch anything. Thats why there is only 29000 miles on it. I bought it new in Dec. 2007. Lousy customer service.

- Marvin D., Gotha, FL, US

problem #4

Sep 102015

LS 460 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2008 Lexus has problems with the armrest of the doors. The rubber upholstery on all four doors is melting off. The edges are rubbed off and it feels like melted crayons, it shows the yellow foam underneath, and when I push on it, it's like used rubber under the tennis shoes. It is bad quality "leather" that they used. We are not happy of the quality of this Lexus vehicle, since Lexus is known for their high quality products used in their car. This is not what we thought Lexus stands for.

- Minh N., Tomball, TX, US

problem #3

Aug 202016

LS 460 LS 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

I love my car- Lexus makes a wonderful LS Model and I am a 4 time repeat customer.

- Augustin R., Wellington, FL, US

problem #2

Feb 192012

LS 460 LS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,616 miles

click to see larger images

melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels melting dashboard & door panels

ithe service repair rep at first said the problem was exactly what was wrong with all the 2007 Ls460 models and i would be placed on a waiting list to get it replaced. 6 months later they sent a letter saying since my model was build in late 2007 and was listed as a 2008 it would not be fixed, even though the damage was the same. Since i was was planning to trade the car in for a newer model Lexus, the trade-in value would be lower and and i wanted $2-3,000 dollars in compensation. I thought this to be a fair amount, they did not.

- Steven H., sarasota, FL, US

problem #1

Jul 012013

LS 460 LS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,500 miles

About 2 years ago I noticed my dashboard, glove box door and door panels were shiny and sticky on a hot summer day after being parked outside for an hour or more. I tried covering it up with Armor All. It was a temporary fix but something still didn't look right. I assumed it was the product I was using so I bought some NU Vinyl. Well the problem got progressively worse every summer.

So I took it to a Specialist who dyes leather and vinyl upholstery. I was told it's a DEFECT and there was nothing he could do. I called Lexus and took it in for photos. About a week later the service adviser called me to say Lexus is declining my claim but I should call their 800 number. I called it and Brenna took my info and said the Area District Mgr. would make a decision. Brenna called me a week later saying Lexus turned me down. I own a 2008 LS460 manufactured Nov 2007 and was told I am out of warranty. But they are repairing the 2007 models plus extending their warranty thru 2017....10 Years!!! Isn't the 2007 out of warranty as well? How can Lexus selectively choose who to accommodate? I have the identical defect!!!!! How can this be fair?

- Gary C., Metairie, LA, US

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