2003 Lexus IS Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 33%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Lexus IS, 33% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,150 miles. 3 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566913, filed 2014-03, 14,050 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173050, filed 2006-11, 22,300 miles“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, filed 2016-02, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10132074Nov 10, 2013Beginning in 1998, Lexus introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Lexus does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Lexus leather or other seat cover…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 18% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 11% |
| 2012 | 8 | 44% |
| 2011 | 7 | 47% |
| 2010 | 16 | 39% |
| 2009 | 4 | 10% |
| 2008 | 21 | 21% |
| 2007 | 22 | 18% |
| 2006 | 26 | 18% |
| 2004 | 3 | 30% |
| 2003 | 4 | 33% |
| 2002 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus IS
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lexus IS
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