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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Lexus IS Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
8%of 12 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lexus IS, 8% of the 12 complaints for this model year. 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.

“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 2024-07

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023120%
2020117%
201117%
2010512%
200913%
200855%
200722%
200675%
2005217%
200318%

Other parts of the 2003 Lexus IS

Air bags
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Visibility (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 29, 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