Melting panels

[Shooteringhot]

Okay, so I know the first years of the second gen Lexus IS had problem with the sticky dash, plus the door, but the one I'm looking at is a bit weird. The panel on the driver side is in very good condition, apart from some minor scuffs and scratches, but the one on the passenger side is sticky. The dash is solid. Can anyone explain why there's a difference?

 

[cinnrollz]

Okay, so I know the first years of the second gen Lexus IS had problem with the sticky dash, plus the door, but the one I'm looking at is a bit weird. The panel on the driver side is in very good condition, apart from some minor scuffs and scratches, but the one on the passenger side is sticky. The dash is solid. Can anyone explain why there's a difference?

for older Lexuses, usually the degradation is a result of UV damage. It's totally possible that, depending on where the car was parked for its life, the passenger side just got a lot more direct sun exposure than the driver's side.
That sun breaks down the plasticizers in the material and causes it to get all gummy. It's a very common reason for a difference like that