Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2003 Lexus IS with NHTSA between 2006 and 2024.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Lexus IS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
100% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 64
38% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Lexus IS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
422.2%
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Airbags
422.2%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,150 mi
Engine & Cooling
316.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 49,000 mi
Brakes
211.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.6%
Steering
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
15.6%
Median failure at 49,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
225.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
450.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
112.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2006peak 6Jul 2024
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Redondo Beach, CACrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN
Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. I need compensation of torment, poor performance, lemon laws associated and punitive damages, hereto. What are next steps? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11604124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash1 injured
STEERING
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash1 injured
ENGINE
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash2 injured
ENGINE
Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. I need compensation of torment, poor performance, lemon laws associated and punitive damages, hereto. What are next steps? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11604124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. I need compensation of torment, poor performance, lemon laws associated and punitive damages, hereto. What are next steps? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11604124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Redondo Beach, CACrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN
Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. I need compensation of torment, poor performance, lemon laws associated and punitive damages, hereto. What are next steps? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11604124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash1 injured
STEERING
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash1 injured
ENGINE
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash2 injured
ENGINE
Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. I need compensation of torment, poor performance, lemon laws associated and punitive damages, hereto. What are next steps? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11604124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.
NHTSA complaint #11604122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. I need compensation of torment, poor performance, lemon laws associated and punitive damages, hereto. What are next steps? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11604124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Robbinsville, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DASHBOARD AND CENTER CONSOLE IS MELTING, LEAVING A STICKY & SHINY SURFACE MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. A WARRANTY CAMPAIGN WAS ISSUED FOR SEVERAL OTHER LEXUS MODELS TO ADDRESS THIS VERY ISSUE, HOWEVER, THE 2003 IS300 WAS EXCLUDED. LEXUS COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASON AS TO WHY THIS EXACT DEFECT WAS NOT ADDRESSED FOR THE 2003 IS300 MODEL, SINCE THEY ADDRESSED THE VERY SAME ISSUE WITH AN OLDER 2003 GX470 MODEL. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED, SO SUN EXPOSURE WAS MINIMAL AND STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED. THIS HAZARDOUS DEFECT HAS HINDERED ME FROM DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN FEAR OF LEAVING IT IN THE SUN TO FURTHER DETERIORATE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE AND RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11385752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAustell, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 LEXUS IS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10825787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mclean, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH IS MELTING AND IS STICKING TO ANYTHING THAT IS RUB UP AGAINST IT. I SAW A 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! OWNER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POORLY BUILT PARTS! FOR HOW MUCH I PAID FOR THE CAR, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE PROBLEM ARE NO COST!
NHTSA complaint #10764176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mclean, VA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DASH IS MELTING AND IS STICKING TO ANYTHING THAT IS RUB UP AGAINST IT. I SAW A 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! OWNER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POORLY BUILT PARTS! FOR HOW MUCH I PAID FOR THE CAR, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE PROBLEM ARE NO COST!
NHTSA complaint #10764176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCoral Springs, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DASHBOARD ON MY LEXUS IS 300 IS MELTING. IT IS VERY STICKY AND AS IT HEATS UP A CHEMICAL IS RELEASED AND THERE IS AN ODOR IN THE CAR. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT EFFECT THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE, BUT IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THIS CAR HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE. ALL IS300 REGARDLESS OF YEAR WITH THIS ISSUE MUST BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10732766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honolulu, HI
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD IS "MELTING". RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR DASHBOARDS OF THE ES300 AND RX 300 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10679036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesHouston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR HAS 51000 MILES ON IT AND I'M TOLD MY ALTERNATOR SHOULD BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR FOR ONE THINGS AND THE DEALERSHIP FOUND 4 DIFFERENT ISSUES WHICH 2 OF THE ISSUES I AM AWARE OF. GRANT YOU ALL THE PARTS IN MY CAR ARE THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I SERVICE MY CAR ACCORDING TO LEXUS 25,000 - 75,000 MILES SERVICES. HOW CAN I WELL KEPT AND SELDOM DRIVE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR ISSUE? ON FEBRUARY 7, 2003, THERE WAS COMPLAINTS OF THE (BULLETIN#:T10001308) CD BECOMING JAMMED IN CD CHANGER. IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE IS 300 CD CHANGER MECHANISM BUT I WASN'T NOTIFIED. I TOOK MY CAR TO WESTSIDE LEXUS REGARDING AN ONGOING DASHBOARD MELTING SITUATION AND CD PLAYER ISSUE. LEXUS FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACED DASHBOARD AFTER 3 YEARS AND I AM GRATEFUL BUT THE CD CHANGER JAMS NOW. IF I HAVEN'T DONE MY RESEARCH I WOULDN'T KNOW THERE WAS INITIAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CD CHANGER. OVER THE MONTH-TO-MONTH WEIRD CD SOUND OF TUMBLING THEN PLAYING IT PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. MY 5- DISC CD PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY CDS AT ALL AND SOUND IS CD TUMBLING AROUND IN THE PLAYER. WESTSIDE LEXUS STATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CD PLAYER AT $500.00 AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE THE ISSUE AT ALL. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AS SOON AS THE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $500.00 FOR A 2003 ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10653823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesHouston, TX
ENGINE
MY CAR HAS 51000 MILES ON IT AND I'M TOLD MY ALTERNATOR SHOULD BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR FOR ONE THINGS AND THE DEALERSHIP FOUND 4 DIFFERENT ISSUES WHICH 2 OF THE ISSUES I AM AWARE OF. GRANT YOU ALL THE PARTS IN MY CAR ARE THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I SERVICE MY CAR ACCORDING TO LEXUS 25,000 - 75,000 MILES SERVICES. HOW CAN I WELL KEPT AND SELDOM DRIVE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR ISSUE? ON FEBRUARY 7, 2003, THERE WAS COMPLAINTS OF THE (BULLETIN#:T10001308) CD BECOMING JAMMED IN CD CHANGER. IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE IS 300 CD CHANGER MECHANISM BUT I WASN'T NOTIFIED. I TOOK MY CAR TO WESTSIDE LEXUS REGARDING AN ONGOING DASHBOARD MELTING SITUATION AND CD PLAYER ISSUE. LEXUS FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACED DASHBOARD AFTER 3 YEARS AND I AM GRATEFUL BUT THE CD CHANGER JAMS NOW. IF I HAVEN'T DONE MY RESEARCH I WOULDN'T KNOW THERE WAS INITIAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CD CHANGER. OVER THE MONTH-TO-MONTH WEIRD CD SOUND OF TUMBLING THEN PLAYING IT PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. MY 5- DISC CD PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY CDS AT ALL AND SOUND IS CD TUMBLING AROUND IN THE PLAYER. WESTSIDE LEXUS STATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CD PLAYER AT $500.00 AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE THE ISSUE AT ALL. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AS SOON AS THE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $500.00 FOR A 2003 ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10653823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS
INITIALLY, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT STARTED SHINING, MELTING AND DETERIORATING THEN THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD STARTED DETERIORATING. NOW THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WEAKENING WHERE IT IS SINKING IN THE MIDDLE. I'M VERY AFRAID THAT THE COMPARTMENT WILL DEPLOY THE AIR BAG AND INJURE AND/OR KILLING ANYONE SITTING IN THE SEAT. I WHICH STARTED COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 2009 TO LEXUS CORPORATION IN WHICH I WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. LEXUS KNEW THE MATERIALS USED ON THE IS 300 WERE DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT RECALL THEM TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10651998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLoxahatchee, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASH IS MELTING AND COMING OFF CREATING A SHINY SURFACE.
NHTSA complaint #10630538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,050 milesOttsville, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE FISHTAILED AT ABOUT 40 MPH DUE TO RWD AND ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. SEATBELT WAS BEING WORN AND VEHICLE SLID ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HIT AN EARLY 2000'S F250 (I BELIEVE) ROCKER PANEL. THE WHOLE FRONT END IS DESTROYED AND I HAVE PICTURES. MY HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAD A CTSCAN AND WAS AMBULANCED TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL THAT HAD A NEURO SURGEON AND KEPT OVERNIGHT. I AM NOW ON NECESSARY LEAVE FROM WORK AND IN A GREAT AMOUNT OF PAIN DUE TO A HEMORRHAGE IN MY BRAIN. I BELIEVE MY MEDICAL INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10566913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,300 milesAshburn, VACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 27TH, I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY BOYFRIEND FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE. I WAS IN MY 3-DAY OLD CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED LEXUS IS300. IT WAS A 2003 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT, IN SPECTACULAR MINT CONDITION. UPON COMING AROUND A SLIGHT BEND IN THE ROAD LEADING INTO OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX, A DEER RAN OUT INTO THE ROAD FROM THE RIGHT. I SWERVED LEFT UPON INSTINCT, AND WE HIT GRAVEL AND THEN WET GRASS. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR SKID BECAUSE IT COULD NOT GET ANY TRACTION IN THE WET GRASS. WE HIT A BRICK WALL HEAD ON, AT ROUGHLY 30 MPH, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10173050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.