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Lexus IS 350 airbag light comes on

13 of the 217 owner complaints about the Lexus IS 350 describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$3,500
typical mileage
90,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Trouble codes mentioned

B1861 1

What owners say

Filed May 10, 2019 · Airbags · TX

Air bag light goes on and than off

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Airbags · 77,000 miles · OR

There has been an intermittent airbag warning light on my vehicle. When taken to the dealer for service, unfortunately the light went out, and no code was captured. It was returned to the dealer recently, and a fault code was recognized; a possible knee airbag issue. When talking with the service writer, their technicians had mentioned it was most likely a short in a wiring harness at a cost of $3500 to replace. I was told all of the airbags may be inoperative with the warning light on, but the dealership was not sure. A number of online lexus blogs talk about similar circumstances and struggling why a faulty (defective) wiring harness that disables all airbags is not a safety recall. It shouldn't have to be a fatal crash due to inoperative airbags to warrant a recall.

Filed Sep 5, 2018 · Airbags, Seat belts · 93,000 miles · CA

Wiring harness defect renders SRS/seatbelt pretension system inoperable. Lexus refuses to replace wiring harness without charging $3,000. The issue is listed under a tsb by lexus and was known to them.

Filed Apr 11, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 170,000 miles · NC

Takata recall. After letting the lexus dealership do the recall on my airbags, I received a airbag light shortly after and let them know I didn't have the issue until after they serviced the airbag. The issue is stated that they made the harness too short in my year car and lexus is not taking responsibility for their error which is putting my life and my child's life in danger if we were to get in a accident with my car. The airbags are disabled due to this faulty harness. When contacting corporate they only offered to help with $500 of the cost while the dealership wants $3500 to fix. This is absolutely ridiculous. Why should I have to pay for a issue that lexus knows was there mistake. This is a major safety concern and should be addressed immediately!

Filed Feb 13, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 141,000 miles · IN

Vehicle was stationary and sat overnight. Upon starting car SRS light came on and was diagnosed with trouble code dtc 1861 that resulted in a knee squib malfunction due to a wiring harness issue. This requires a new wiring harness that will cost over $2500. Lexus knows this is an issue as they have issued a tsb for it but refuses to issue a recall or do it as a goodwill service. This is a major safety issue especially due to lexus realizing there is an issue but refusing to step up and correct the issue.

Filed Oct 30, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 141,896 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 lexus is 350. While driving 35 MPH, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. Sewell lexus in fort worth, texas requested that the vehicle be brought in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as having squib circuit failure inside of the air bag, which caused the SRS indicator to illuminate under code: b1861. The independent mechanic stated that in the event of a crash, the squib circuit failure could potentially disable the air bags. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 141,896.

Filed Oct 23, 2017 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · HI

Takata recall- took my car to the lexus dealership in honolulu hi for the recall on the passenger side airbag which they claimed it was completed and resolved. Two days later the airbag light on dash would blink. I called them to let them know and we made an appt. When I took the lexus back they did a diagnostic test and claimed the drivers side airbag needed to be repaired at a $4,000.00. I feel it should be repaired at $0.00. If you can, please help. The service manager there is not helpful at all.

Filed Jul 28, 2017 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · NJ

My airbag light is on. I did some research online and lexus had issued a tsb for the airbag light for 2006-2007 (some 2008) lexus is models. This tsb was only covering 5 years or 70k miles. I'm currently at 90k miles and this airbag light is on. Apparently the airbag harness the cars were fitted with were too short, and causes a fault in the system when one of the connectors related to the airbag system gets loosened up. This disables the entire airbag system from what I have read. This seems like an extremely unsafe manufacturing fault, and should have been a recall as opposed to a tsb limited to a warranty period.

Filed Jun 28, 2017 · Airbags · 63,000 miles · WA

I bought my car used in 2015 and about 1,000 miles after driving it off the lot the airbag light came on. I took it to the local lexus dealership and they diagnosed it as the driver's knee airbag and said the entire airbag wire harness needed to be replaced and quoted me $3,500. I looked up the issue and found that lexus had previously issued a tsib on it (l-sb-0167-08). I also read many owners around that time were able to get it fixed under warranty (72mo or 70k miles). Unfortunately that expired for me 2 years before I even bought the car. I'm very frustrated that they know this is an issue, that it's related to airbag safety and they are still asking me to pay thousands. It's been two years and the light is still on. Ps: the dealership told me several times that I wasn't affected by the taketa recall but I later got the recall notice.

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Airbags · 125,000 miles · CA

The airbag light on the cluster is on. Happened randomly one morning upon start up of vehicle and hasn't went away even after resetting the battery. I and several other 2nd generation is owners from club lexus have the same issue and it is attributed to a loose wire harness. In the event of a collision there's a high risk that the airbag will not deploy. Please fix this as this is a serious and fatal issue. It was a fairly well know issues amongst is owners and this I feel that lexus should be responsible for the fix.

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported October 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus customer service at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Recall number 19V741000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Recall number 19V005000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Recall number 18V024000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

Recall number 17V006000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Recall number 16V340000 · Recall details

Questions about the Lexus IS 350 airbag light

Why does the airbag light come on in the Lexus IS 350?

Owners who report it most often also describe no other single symptom, and the codes they mention most are B1861.

Which Lexus IS 350 years have airbag warning light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (6 complaints), 2007 (4 complaints) and 2008 (3 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Lexus IS 350?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,500 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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