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Lexus ISModel year report

2004 Lexus IS Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
74,838miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Lexus IS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus IS. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 5 complaints (50% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and body and structure (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,838 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

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.

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “I have a 2004 Lexus is300 and have the same dash melting issue that other people IS having. Starting from 2007 the dash started to melt and took to deal back then and they refuse to do anything. Recently got a letter for warranty enhancement notice for my other 2007 Lexus es350 with same issue of melting dash. I think Lexus should also do a replacement for all 2004 is300 for dash problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10731793, filed 2015-07, 48,000 miles

Air bags: “My 2004 is300 was involved in an accident at approximately 30 MPH and no air bags deployed. The other vehicle (saturn) hit my car on the front driver side, damaging the suspension, fender, bumper, and surrounding parts. After impact my car went up the curb, over some large rocks and rested on an incline. I suffered neck, shoulder, and back pain and was treated by a chiropractor. No air bags deployed at any time. My car was repaired and I am currently driving it.”

NHTSA complaint #10669938, filed 2015-01, 101,350 miles

Body and structure: “The dashboard on my 2004 Lexus is300 IS melting; feels sticky to the tough, fingerprints can occur, scratches very easily, as time goes by it becomes less and less attractive, have to be extremely careful with it, and while cleaning it. I contacted Lexus and there IS no remediation on their part.”

NHTSA complaint #10669951, filed 2015-01, 79,675 miles

Wheels: “There IS a dangerous pothole eastbound on lie near fresh meadows exit. Due to heavy traffic, the pothole was unavoidable as we were less than 20 feet between the car ahead of us. The pothole was on the middle lane. It resulted in a flat, a tow, and a brand new tire replacement.”

NHTSA complaint #10458729, filed 2012-05, 103,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 61,247 and 101,350 miles.

0%0–100%10–2525%25–5025%50–7513%75–10038%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 74,838 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2012201420157
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.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Lexus IS 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. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023511,0000523—Too new
20206—0———Not enough data
20171196,0000———Not enough data
2015988,0000———Not enough data
201412—0———Not enough data
2013959,5940—24—Not enough data
20121823,0000—22—Falling
20111577,0000—22—Falling
20104167,0001—2146 · TypicalStable
20094036,7502——77 · MoreFalling
200810278,5003——50 · TypicalFalling
200712282,5003——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200614389,5007——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20051247,0000———Not enough data
20041074,8380———Not enough data
20031248,0000———Not enough data
20021288,0000———Not enough data

All Lexus IS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Lexus IS have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2004 Lexus IS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Other or unknown is named most often, in 5 complaints (50% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2004 Lexus IS 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.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Lexus IS reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,838 miles and the middle half falls between 61,247 and 101,350 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

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.