What'south the Issue with the Viscous/Melting Dashboard?

Certain Lexus years and models have dashboards accept a notorious problem of becoming mucilaginous or melted over time. According to Lexus, this trouble with the sticky/melting nuance occurs over time due to heat and/or humidity with no existent reason why this is occurring. The foreign matter is that in that location are many affected owners who go along their vehicles garaged and even live in cooler climates with low humidity, still they are still seeing the same issues.

lexus sticky melting dashboard problem

The specific issue with the sticky melting nuance is that the dashboard literally becomes sticky to the touch and becomes breakable. This is fifty-fifty a problem with the front and rear door panels showing like symptoms. Both the dashboard and door panels seem to fail in several ways: they can become very glossy-looking, can crack, and/or tin can intermission off in pieces. Regardless of what the exact issue is that you lot're experiencing, you might exist wondering what options you lot accept so that you can address the issue with the dashboard and door panels.

Which Years and Models are Afflicted by this Issue?

The following Lexus years and models are supposedly affected, although it is entirely possible that your Lexus year/model is non listed below, yet still have a sticky/melted dashboard and/or door panels. The models and years listed below are specifically addressed with the ZLD warranty enhancement program and the ZLZ warranty enhancement plan.

ZLD Warranty Enhancement Program
ES 350 (2007-2008)
GX 470 (2003-2008)
IS 250 (2006-2008)
IS 350 (2006-2008)
LS 460 (2007)
RX 330 (2004-2006)
RX 350 (2007-2009)
RX 400h (2005-2008)

ZLZ Warranty Enhancement Program
ES 350 (2008-2012)
GS F (2016-2018)
GS 200t (2016-2017)
GS 350 (2013-2018)
GS 450h (2013-2017)
IS F (2008-2014)
IS 250C (2010-2015)
IS 350C (2010-2015)
LS 460 (2007-2014)
LS 600h (2008-2014)

For more complete details, meet the specific warranty policy bulletins:
ZLD warranty enhancement plan
ZLZ warranty enhancement plan

What are my Options for Fixing Sticky/Melted Dashboard and Door Panels?

Information technology may seem frustrating to not know what to do about the cracked/sticky/melted dashboard on your Lexus, but y'all do have options. I've personally experienced the feeling of helplessness when I had to figure out how to fix the crumbling dashboard issue on my 2006 Lexus IS350. Later on all the research I had done, I put together all of the options that I came across with the hope that it helps yous if yous are running into the same problem.

The first thing you need to do is figure out is if you authorize for the Lexus Warranty Enhancement Program, which if you do, will provide you with a replacement of the afflicted dashboard and/or door panels for free. If yous exercise non qualify, you can move forward with the remainder of the options which have various pros, cons, and costs associated with them. I hope the options below helps you and gives you lot some insight into what might be the all-time choice for you.

Remember that the ZLD warranty enhancement program (currently expired) that addresses certain Lexus model years 2003-2009 and the ZLZ warranty enhancement program (still active) that addresses sure model years 2007-2019. Keep in mind that if you have previously had repairs done that should have been covered under the warranty enhancement program, that there is reimbursement consideration past Lexus. More than on the reimbursements can be plant on the specific ZLD and ZLZ warranty enhancement policies.

one. Take Advantage of the Lexus Warranty Enhancement Program

First, if you can get your dashboard and door panels replaced for free, then do it. In fact, with the more recent ZLZ warranty enhancement, the coverage extends to the glove box, console box, and other panels. Read through the two Warranty Enhancement Plan details to see if you lot qualify and what the next steps would be if you do qualify.

The two warranty enhancements offers a primary coverage and a secondary coverage:

Master Coverage: offers warranty enhancement until May 31, 2017 (ZLD Plan) and until March 31, 2021 (ZLZ Program), regardless of mileage or date of first employ of the vehicle.

Secondary Coverage: supplements the Primary Coverage for some owners by offering the warranty enhancement for 10 years from the date of beginning use of the vehicle (first use equally a new vehicle, not first utilize if purchased used), regardless of mileage.

At the time of writing this post in mid-2021, we are pretty much past the timeframe that is offered for both primary and secondary coverage for the ZLD Programme, but the ZLZ Program is all the same active. If your vehicle qualifies for the ZLD Program, you may still try reaching out to Lexus Corporate to run into what they tin can do, since the ZLD Program has already expired.

2. Telephone call Lexus Corporate to meet if they will Still Offer Assistance

In a final ditch effort to try to get your Lexus dashboard and/or door panels replaced under the warranty enhancement program even though the deadline has passed, I personally called Lexus Corporate to see what they could practise nigh the dashboard and door panels that have started to crumble and break apart on my IS350. I informed them that I never received a notice in the mail, only I was past the timeframe given in the warranty enhancement that I learned near online. To my surprise, the representative told me to telephone call my local Lexus dealership to get a quote and to email it to them, and they would see what could be washed.

I apace scheduled an appointment with my local Lexus dealership to get my dashboard and door panels looked at. When I got there, the service consultant asked for my keys, went out to wait at the dashboard and door panels, snapped some pictures, and said that he would send an email with the photos to Corporate for their cess.

Later that day, I saw an email with a few ridiculously small photo attachments sent to corporate for consideration. A few days subsequently, I got a phone call from Lexus Corporate telling me that they would unfortunately not be able to help me. I felt similar that was the biggest waste material of time especially when they had given me faux hope all along.

At the end of that whole debacle, I ended up empty-handed. However, I practise exit this option here every bit a Hail Mary for those of y'all out there that want to try their luck if your warranty enhancement period has passed. I still practise think it's possible to get your warranty enhancement honored even though y'all are past the timeframe given past Lexus…

The fact that Lexus still asked me to go a quote from the local Lexus dealership makes me believe that it is possible that there might exist times that they will honor their warranty enhancement even though the borderline has passed. Perhaps, they would make exceptions for dashboards that present an immediate safety take a chance (e.chiliad. glossy dashboard that reflects off the windshield.) Since my dashboard was just crumbling is sure areas around the touch screen and climate control, perhaps Lexus did not feel information technology posed an immediate danger.

Then, if you accept a glossy dashboard and it reflects off your windshield causing danger to the driver (or some other dangerous scenario), possibly they are more likely to act. Continuing with the condom theme, I would imagine that there is little chance of them replacing door panels unless they had a compelling reason for doing so. Simply as for the dashboard, it might exist worth explaining or showing Lexus how the damage on your dashboard is posing an immediate adventure to you and your passengers; requite them a proficient reason why they need to fix this problem (call back about how inaction on their part could pb to a lawsuit on their hands.)

Evidently if the dashboard harm is not at all a driving lark, then yous should not say it is or try to reason it as such. However, I have found that fifty-fifty modest cracks, sticky/melted, crumbling dashboards have been extremely distracting while driving, especially with the sun reflecting off these flaws in the dashboard.

3. Replacing the Dashboard and/or Door Panels through a Dealership or by Yourself

Later dealing with the Lexus folks resulting in them not replacing my dashboard nether the warranty enhancement program, I looked a piddling closer at the quote that the dealership provided to corporate. They itemized the replacement of the dashboard and the door panels past part and labor toll. I realized that if I really wanted a new dashboard and door panels, and I was willing to pay for it, I could always pay to get it done. Evidently if yous are able to do it yourself, and so you would just be paying for the materials while saving on labor costs. Here is the breakdown of the parts and labor costs for my IS350 when I got quoted at the local dealership.

Case Cost of Parts/Labor for 2006-2009 Lexus IS350:

Part Material Cost Labor Toll
Dashboard $391.28 $380.00
Left front interior door panel $810.06 $80.00
Correct front interior door panel $810.06 $eighty.00
Left rear interior door console $659.02 $eighty.00
Right rear interior door panel $696.77 $80.00

Keep in heed that if you lot await online for OEM function numbers for your vehicle, you'll get the "service" part numbers which would be the standard OEM function numbers. In that location are as well "kit" part numbers that are basically a replacement for the "service" numbers every bit office of the warranty enhancement program. These new "kit" numbers may be part of a different manufacturing line and could be a role that doesn't have the aforementioned issues every bit the previous "service" part numbers.

4. Installing a Dashboard Cover

Another option for dealing with unsightly harm to your dashboard is to simply go a comprehend for it. Yes, this only covers the damage (out of sight, out of mind), but it could be much improve looking especially if your dashboard is pretty messed up to begin with. I've seen 2 main dashboard cover types out in that location: one is the Coverlay dashboard cover, which is an ABS plastic-molded cover that fits right onto your existing dashboard; the other is a soft felt/fabric type of mat cover that sits right atop the existing dashboard.

Coverlay Dashboard Cover

The Coverlay dashboard cover is molded to fit your specific year/brand/model, so the fitment is usually quite seamless. I haven't personally seen one in person, simply based on all the videos and photos I've seen, it looks really good. Do a search online for photos to meet for yourself. The Coverlay comprehend is installed by applying silicone caulking to the behind of it and sticking it onto the existing dash. At that place are even cutouts for the airbag comprehend besides.

coverlay on a 4runner 4th gen
Paradigm from: Facebook group 4th Gen 4Runner Familia

The downside to using this product is that you'll have to be pretty certain you're going to keep the Coverlay dashboard comprehend on forever as I can't think of how you'd ever remove this from your existing nuance without causing some serious damage. So, if y'all're okay sticking this cover with silicone caulking onto your existing nuance as a permanent solution, then this might be for you. Only make sure to get the i fabricated specifically for your vehicle year, make, and model to get the best fit.

Search Ebay for Coverlay Dashboard Covers

Soft Felt/Fabric Dashboard Mat Embrace

An alternative to a Coverlay encompass is to use a dashboard mat cover, which is basically like a carpeted mat that is cutting to fit your dashboard. If you're okay with the look of a cloth mat covering your dashboard, then this might exist a viable pick. As for the fitment, the fit of the mat cover is probably not going to be as skillful as a fit every bit the Coverlay.

dashboard covers
Image from: https://amazon.com

The consequence that I have with these is that all the ones I've seen utilize mucilaginous pads with hook and loop fasteners to secure the whole dashboard mat to the dashboard. In the hereafter if you lot always wanted to remove these glutinous pads, good luck doing then without damaging the dashboard even more than. This is a more than affordable option if y'all just desire to hands embrace up the impairment on your dashboard. Again, get the one that fits your year, brand, and model for a better fit.

Search Ebay for Dashboard Mat Covers

5. Repairing with a Moldable Glue such as Sugru

This is probably what I'd call a last resort if you could not become your auto covered nether the warranty enhancement, and don't desire to use a dashboard cover. I'd caution that fixing your dashboard with a moldable glue like I did will work mainly for spot repairs, not if you take extensive impairment to your dash. The work involved with this repair is also not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of patience and finesse to brand a repair with a moldable gum such equally Sugru.

If you want to meet an in-depth guide to repairing with Sugru, see this post: Repairing a Dashboard with Sugru

lexus sticky melting dashboard problem - sugru moldable glue

This is the option I took as I needed to fix some spots around the climate controls. I mixed upwards several batches of dissimilar colors of Sugru to color-match my IS350 dashboard, and and so applied it while shaping information technology to friction match the existing dashboard. I and then imprinted the dashboard texture onto the mucilage using a postage stamp that I made. The result is not perfect, but information technology does look a lot improve than it did before the repair.

I wrote a full guide to how yous can utilise Sugru to repair your dashboard on here, if y'all cull to go this route. Again, this is not for the faint of centre, merely it tin can make the dashboard look a little more endurable to look at equally long as you patient with the repair and ensure that the colour-lucifer and texture-lucifer is washed well. Obviously the downside is if y'all mess up information technology volition probably not look very skilful and you are stuck with the results.

Conclusion on the Lexus Sticky Melting Dashboard Problem

When it comes downward to what options you have if y'all are dealing with a sticky or melting dashboard on your Lexus, yous take a pick to make as each choice comes with its own upsides and downsides. Y'all always have the pick to just leave it alone if it doesn't carp y'all. Otherwise, it may be reassuring to know that you lot really exercise accept options bachelor to you lot especially if y'all've missed the warranty enhancement period.

For several years, I tried badly to find a solution to my dashboard issue and wish that I had a resource to guide me in making a decision to rectify my dashboard issue. I hope that this mail helps you if you are dealing with the same problem and that information technology provides you with enough options to aid you make a conclusion with addressing the infamous Lexus sticky melting dashboard problem.