2003 Lexus IS Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 25%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Lexus IS, 25% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 2 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.
“Brand new owner - first owner; Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life. This IS250 Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issues. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns related and has done nothing to compensate me for to date relating to multi-billion dollar law suits.”
NHTSA complaint #11604122, filed 2024-07“Brand new owner - first owner at time of lease/finance terms and conditions. Car accelerated numerous times during ownership that caused harm to both my young son and I life, placed us in harms way and accident occurred in California due to faulty emissions, acceleration out of control, and braking problems. This Lexus was dangerous, unreliable, caused mental and emotional issue coupled with anxiety. Lexus was negligent in handling numerous issues and concerns reported to dealership and has done nothing to compensate me for their multibillion dollar settlement to date. …”
NHTSA complaint #11604124, filed 2024-07Related service bulletins
- 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…
- 10164328Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev1: G1668 Applicability has been updated to include 2019 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles. G2158 The Techstream Preparation and Process…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 2 | 33% |
| 2017 | 2 | 18% |
| 2015 | 1 | 11% |
| 2014 | 3 | 25% |
| 2013 | 3 | 33% |
| 2012 | 1 | 6% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 4 | 10% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2008 | 22 | 22% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 16 | 11% |
| 2003 | 3 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lexus IS
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 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 27, 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