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Lexus IS 300Model year report

2004 Lexus IS 300 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,700miles, 14 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 2004 Lexus IS 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus IS 300. The part named most often is body and structure, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (4) and air bags (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,700 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 56 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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: Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “The dash board is melting since 2007, Lexus did not do any more than change passenger air bag cover that after a wile starter melting again, they blame at sun exposure, the car is always in the garage and is used very little today the mileage is 48,000, we complained to Lexus a little after the warranty was over with no result. We are afraid of toxicity that can affect our health we express this to Lexus and they dismissed our concern.”

NHTSA complaint #10618323, filed 2014-08, 26,236 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Car failed to stop at a red light under normal braking because engine failed to decelerate when pressure was removed from the pedal. Maximum force was applied to the brake pedal. The brake anti lock feature was activated and a collision with the stopped car ahead was barely averted. When stopped, the engine reverted to normal idle. The problem did not recur. Examination by a mechanic at the dealers shop failed to identify a computer fault or other cause. The car was returned without repair. I am not satisfied that a stuck throttle is not a repairable or abnormal condition. …”

NHTSA complaint #10244204, filed 2008-10, 58,400 miles

Air bags: “On july 18, 2008, I was driving my Lexus is-300. My wife and I exited the highway and stopped at a stop light on the off ramp. While waiting to proceed through the stoplight, we were struck from behind by another driver going approximately 50 miles an hour estimated by the police officer. The rear end collision was so forceful we were pushed into the vehicle in front of us. Our vehicle (Lexus IS 300) is totaled - the backend completely crushed and front end severely crushed. Our front and side impact bags did not deploy. I received a major head contusion and was taken to the hospital. …”

NHTSA complaint #10235052, filed 2008-07, 40,000 miles

Other or unknown: “The Lexus is300 have the worst dash, I don't understand why Lexus didn't have a recall on them as they did for the is250 or the is350. God forbids you park your car at work and at the end of the day when you get in your vehicle and you touch the dash or around the shifter, it feels like it is melting. And sometimes I wonder if there is some type of fume radiating from the dash itself. #2. …”

NHTSA complaint #10924569, filed 2016-11, 130,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 100,000 miles.

0%0–107%10–2529%25–5021%50–7514%75–10021%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,700 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200642010201420162018
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 2004 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 2004 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. 56 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 56 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 2004 Lexus IS 300 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus IS 300 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Lexus IS 300 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 4.

Has the 2004 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 2004 Lexus IS 300 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 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 2004 Lexus IS 300 reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,700 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 100,000 miles; 36% 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.