2003 Lexus Is 300 recalls & problems
The 2003 Lexus Is 300 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 21 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is structure (9 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Lexus Is 300.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2003 Lexus IS300 4-DR. w/SAB
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
IS 300
| City / highway | 16 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
IS 300
| City / highway | 16 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Structure Body; Body › Door | 9 | 48,600 mi |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 52,000 mi |
| Air bags Side/window | 2 | — |
| Power train Clutch assembly; Automatic transmission | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Suspension | 2 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Service brakes | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Jan 7, 2016Suspension
VEHICLE WAS CAUGHT ON A FLASH FLOOD JULY 2015. WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF SAN DIEGO IN SEPT ON CLAIM AS FRONT RIGHT SIDE SQUEALING/SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING RIGHT. LEXUS OF SAN DIEGO KEPT VEHICLE FOR 30DAYS WITH NO OUTCOME INSPECTION WRITE TO INSURANCE COMPANY. BRUSHED OFF COMPMAINT. WHOKE DRIVING VEHICLE IN JAN 2016 CONTOL ARM SNAPPED. - Oct 19, 2015 · 143,840 milesService brakes
THE BRAKES FAILED AT 143,840 MILES. THE BRAKES FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A BUSY CITY STREET. AFTER INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE AUTO CARE..IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NOTICEABLE INTERNAL LEAK WAS COMING FROM POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND POWER BRAKE BOOSTER MUST BE REPLACED. - Feb 1, 2010Structure › Body
DASH IS MELTING AND IS STICKING TO ANYTHING THAT IS RUB UP AGAINST IT. BODY PARTS, CAR WASH TOWEL, GROCERY. I SEEL RECALL ON ALL OTHER MODEL REGARDING THIS ISSUE. EXCEPT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL 2003 LEXUS IS300. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD EXTEND TO THIS YEAR AND MODEL AS WELL. NO DASH SHOULD BE MELTING AWAY WITH HEAT! - Jul 1, 2006Structure › Body
DASH IS MELTING AND IS STICKING TO ANYTHING THAT IS RUB UP AGAINST IT. BODY PARTS, CAR WASH TOWEL, GROCERY. I SEEL RECALL ON ALL OTHER MODEL REGARDING THIS ISSUE. EXCEPT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL 2003 LEXUS IS300. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD EXTEND TO THIS YEAR AND MODEL AS WELL. NO DASH SHOULD BE MELTING AWAY WITH HEAT! AND OWNER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POORLY BUILT PARTS!!!! - Jul 7, 2015 · 185,000 milesUnknown or other
DASH IS PEELING ALONG WITH THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS ALSO START TO DISCOLOR AND PEEL. THE PEELING IS MORE LIKE STARTING TO GUM UP OR BECOME STICKY. - Oct 18, 2012 · 85,000 milesStructure › Body
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS IS 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE WERE MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING DUE TO A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. UPDATED 04/28/15*JB - Apr 15, 2014 · 80,000 milesStructure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS IS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. - Jan 1, 2007 · 52,000 milesUnknown or other
THE DASHBOARD IS IN VERY POOR CONDITION WITH A STICKY AND MELTING APPEARANCE. I COMPLAINED TO LEXUS OF TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER TO REPLACE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSIDERING THAT I DID NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS WITH MY OWN FUNDS, I DID NOT PURSUE IT. *JS
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.