Head unit replacement
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1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 1
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Head unit replacement
My 2014 IS250 has a head unit failure. Lexus Dealer Diagnostic results: Unit has power running to it but it’s a common Lexus Enform system failure with this year. The head unit lights up. CD accepts/ejects CD’s. Backup camera works. Blacked out floating screen; from time to time a “see dealership” notice pops up and then disappears. I’m assuming the screen is still functional and the CD part of the head unit is functional. Looking to replace this with the Android 13, 10.25 multimedia screen with Apple Car Play. Any suggestions? Has anyone addressed this situation with a system that works? Please advise if you have. This situation is driving me NUTS! Thank you.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 51
Likes: 20
From: Nevada
A CarPlay/Android Auto system won't work without a functional OEM radio unit, as the CarPlay/AA system is an add-on, not a replacement. Replacing the screen won't solve anything, as that is separate from the radio unit (which is why the backup camera still displays, even with the radio not working).
10th Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 9
I am currently working on a Raspberry Pi replacement setup using HuDIY. I used an Artec Spyder 3D scanner to take a scan of the faceplate. This will entirely replace the head unit with a separate touchscreen where the radio controls are, but will (probably) not integrate with the joystick controller or the backup camera display as I am not sure of the pinout of these. My plan is to only wire up power and the amplifier and maybe the steering wheel controls.
Update: car was stolen, recovered, and totalled out due to mechanical damage. This project will not be progressing.
Last edited by TheForgottenKing; Mar 26, 2026 at 05:38 PM.
10th Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 9
Ideally I would like to eventually wire up the OEM screen as a second display for performance monitoring but this is later down the line as this screen is LVDS and harder to drive. My plan is to remove the joystick assembly and replace it with a phone mount.
Update: car was stolen, recovered, and totalled out due to mechanical damage. This project will not be progressing.
Last edited by TheForgottenKing; Mar 26, 2026 at 05:38 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
My 2014 IS250 has a head unit failure. Lexus Dealer Diagnostic results: Unit has power running to it but it’s a common Lexus Enform system failure with this year. The head unit lights up. CD accepts/ejects CD’s. Backup camera works. Blacked out floating screen; from time to time a “see dealership” notice pops up and then disappears. I’m assuming the screen is still functional and the CD part of the head unit is functional. Looking to replace this with the Android 13, 10.25 multimedia screen with Apple Car Play. Any suggestions? Has anyone addressed this situation with a system that works? Please advise if you have. This situation is driving me NUTS! Thank you.
Dealer diagnostics report - head unit failure - must replace = $4000K. So researched and this is a common problem with the 2014 IS - something that should have been recalled but apparently not a 'safety issue' so Lexus did not have to recall this defective item. I just got my head unit repaired. I am in Canada, so had to research for a shop that could handle the repair in Canada.
I was thinking about replacing it with CarPlay unit BUT, unless the head unit is functional it will not work. CarPlay will be an overlay to the original head unit - which must be functional. At least that is what I have ascertained.
Anyway, I removed my head unit, shipped it off to the repair shop, they replaced the data board (& some memory chips?) - I reinstalled and so far it seems to be working as before - albeit with old outdated nav maps.
Hope that helps
10th Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 9
My head unit was in a constant endless reboot loop. Annoying as F*#@.
Dealer diagnostics report - head unit failure - must replace = $4000K. So researched and this is a common problem with the 2014 IS - something that should have been recalled but apparently not a 'safety issue' so Lexus did not have to recall this defective item. I just got my head unit repaired. I am in Canada, so had to research for a shop that could handle the repair in Canada.
I was thinking about replacing it with CarPlay unit BUT, unless the head unit is functional it will not work. CarPlay will be an overlay to the original head unit - which must be functional. At least that is what I have ascertained.
Anyway, I removed my head unit, shipped it off to the repair shop, they replaced the data board (& some memory chips?) - I reinstalled and so far it seems to be working as before - albeit with old outdated nav maps.
Hope that helps
Dealer diagnostics report - head unit failure - must replace = $4000K. So researched and this is a common problem with the 2014 IS - something that should have been recalled but apparently not a 'safety issue' so Lexus did not have to recall this defective item. I just got my head unit repaired. I am in Canada, so had to research for a shop that could handle the repair in Canada.
I was thinking about replacing it with CarPlay unit BUT, unless the head unit is functional it will not work. CarPlay will be an overlay to the original head unit - which must be functional. At least that is what I have ascertained.
Anyway, I removed my head unit, shipped it off to the repair shop, they replaced the data board (& some memory chips?) - I reinstalled and so far it seems to be working as before - albeit with old outdated nav maps.
Hope that helps
- There's no guarantee that the unit won't fail again. There is no public information on what specifically causes the failure (prove me wrong if this is not the case, please link any information) and if the repair shops just replace the failed chips with an identical model then the failure could recur.
- My radio head unit is the navigation unit P10433. The repair costs $700+. The Android Auto unit costs an additional $800 for a total of $1500 to get it working as a somewhat modern system, whereas the Raspberry Pi mod will likely cost me less than $300 unless I have to replace the amplifier.
- I am not a huge fan of the Lexus joystick navigation. The OEM radio head unit is in prime position for a touchscreen and the Raspberry Pi system will easily fit in the space left by the OEM unit.
Update: car was stolen, recovered, and totalled out due to mechanical damage. This project will not be progressing.
Last edited by TheForgottenKing; Mar 26, 2026 at 05:38 PM.
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1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
My head unit was in a constant endless reboot loop. Annoying as F*#@.
Dealer diagnostics report - head unit failure - must replace = $4000K. So researched and this is a common problem with the 2014 IS - something that should have been recalled but apparently not a 'safety issue' so Lexus did not have to recall this defective item. I just got my head unit repaired. I am in Canada, so had to research for a shop that could handle the repair in Canada.
I was thinking about replacing it with CarPlay unit BUT, unless the head unit is functional it will not work. CarPlay will be an overlay to the original head unit - which must be functional. At least that is what I have ascertained.
Anyway, I removed my head unit, shipped it off to the repair shop, they replaced the data board (& some memory chips?) - I reinstalled and so far it seems to be working as before - albeit with old outdated nav maps.
Hope that helps
Dealer diagnostics report - head unit failure - must replace = $4000K. So researched and this is a common problem with the 2014 IS - something that should have been recalled but apparently not a 'safety issue' so Lexus did not have to recall this defective item. I just got my head unit repaired. I am in Canada, so had to research for a shop that could handle the repair in Canada.
I was thinking about replacing it with CarPlay unit BUT, unless the head unit is functional it will not work. CarPlay will be an overlay to the original head unit - which must be functional. At least that is what I have ascertained.
Anyway, I removed my head unit, shipped it off to the repair shop, they replaced the data board (& some memory chips?) - I reinstalled and so far it seems to be working as before - albeit with old outdated nav maps.
Hope that helps
I am also in Canada and was looking for a shop to fix my head unit. Where did you end up getting it fixed? Can you share the shop's info I would be interested. Thanks !
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