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Lexus IS 300Model year report

2003 Lexus IS 300 Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,300miles, 18 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 / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Lexus IS 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus IS 300. The part named most often is body and structure, with 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and air bags (2). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,300 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Tires (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “High wind noise and flapping noise from the driver door; it's very annoying and unconvertible driving on the highway because of the noises produced by this problem. Lexus claims their cars as luxury cars, but also claims that a wind noise and a flapping noise are normal for $34k luxury cars. I took the car in and they even did not want to try to fix the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10045378, filed 2003-11, 12 miles

Other or unknown: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10617437, filed 2014-07, 52,000 miles

Air bags: “While driving at 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle struck a boat that broke free from a towing vehicle and ended up in the middle of the lane. The seat belts were being used at the time of accident, but none of the six air bags deployed. The police did arrive on the scene and no one was injured.”

NHTSA complaint #10033746, filed 2003-12, 3,000 miles

Suspension: “In early december 2010 on my way to drop off an passenger at the ontario airport, ontario, ca my left front end felt like it fell in a pot hole. A tow truck was called as the left front tire was turned completely inward and caused damage on the left fender. The car had to be towed to my home as it was late in the evening around 11pm. …”

NHTSA complaint #10501883, filed 2013-03, 136,422 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,000 and 85,000 miles.

17%0–1017%10–2517%25–5011%50–7522%75–10011%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2003200620092011201452016
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 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 manual162318$4,550
IS 300 RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162218$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 2003 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. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 52 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 2003 Lexus IS 300 have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus IS 300 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Lexus IS 300 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.

Has the 2003 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 2003 Lexus IS 300 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Lexus IS 300 (IS 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 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 2003 Lexus IS 300 reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,300 miles and the middle half falls between 19,000 and 85,000 miles; 50% 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. 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.