2003 Lexus IS 300 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lexus IS 300, 10% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was sitting in my 2003 Lexus IS 300 4 door it was a rainy and unusually cool day so I rolled the windows down and with the car idling I listened to some music and contemplated where to eat dinner it being around 5.30 pm. Suddenly the throttle opened up and the car shot off like a rocket over the curbing through some bushes and into a pond maybe 15 feet away the car was moving so fast that as it was sinking it moved out about 20 feet. It was completely submerged and I was lucky to unbuckle the seat belt and climb out the open window and swim to shore the only injury a sprained ankle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10307439, filed 2010-02, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179697Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10131726Jan 22, 2018TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-SB-0021-14. * Applicability has been updated to include applicable 2018…
- 10109449Oct 23, 2014TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10109447Oct 16, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10109445Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109444Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132108Oct 1, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus IS 300
8 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lexus IS 300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology