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Lexus IS 300Model year report

2001 Lexus IS 300 Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Lexus IS 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2001 Lexus IS 300. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by suspension (4) and engine cooling (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “Since I have owned the vehicle, I have had two incidents, which both occured randomly with no prior engine problems or indications of issues with the car, in which as I was accelerating, the gas pedal would continue to press down and pin itself to the floor. Both times, the gas pedal was literally stuck to the floor and not able to be loosened. The first time it occured, I pulled the emergency brake and jammed on my brake pedal until the gas pedal popped back up after about a minute pinned to the ground. …”

NHTSA complaint #10119774, filed 2005-05, 65,000 miles

Suspension: “I purchased a car from a dealer in malden I heard a sound that was not familiar to me and requested the dealer check it as I had just picked up the vehicle. I made several calls and was told the dealer was with a customer or busy. On march 1, 2011 I took the vehicle to get inspected in stoughton and received a report with a passing grade. Regardless I still heard the sound and elected to drive to the dealership on march 2, 2011. The dealer was too busy that day and it was arranged for me to return on march 9 of the following week. …”

NHTSA complaint #10390253, filed 2011-03, 118,426 miles

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2001 Lexus is300. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke emitting from the engine. The contact pulled over and shut the vehicle off. When she opened the hood, she saw smoke coming from the radiator and a crack at the top of the radiator. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the crack was confirmed and the vehicle was repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 114,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10360998, filed 2010-10, 114,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2001 Lexus IS 300. While driving at approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. Also, while driving at low speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal noise as the vehicle jerked without warning. The contact attempted to roll down the front driver side window and it failed to roll back up. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the glass panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #10839934, filed 2016-03, 154,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 70,000 miles.

6%0–100%10–2519%25–5050%50–750%75–10013%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2002200462006200920112019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Lexus IS 300. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
IS300 · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Lexus IS 300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
IS 300 RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162118$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Lexus IS 300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS 300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019719,3002524—Not enough data
201867,0001526—Not enough data
20041956,7000—18—Stable
20032150,3000—18—Stable
20022830,7100—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012765,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus IS 300 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Lexus IS 300 have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2001 Lexus IS 300 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Lexus IS 300 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by suspension with 4.

Has the 2001 Lexus IS 300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Lexus IS 300 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Lexus IS 300 (IS 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Lexus IS 300 reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 70,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.