2001 Lexus IS: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 28 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lexus is 300. While driving at approximately 70 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. Also, while driving at low speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal noise as the vehicle jerked without warning. The contact attempted to roll down the front driver side window and it failed to roll back up. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the glass panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. ...updated 09/19/16 *bf”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lexus is300. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed smoke emitting from the engine. The contact pulled over and shut the vehicle off. When she opened the hood, she saw smoke coming from the radiator and a crack at the top of the radiator. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the crack was confirmed and the vehicle was repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 114,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2010
“Driver's side front window glass bolts loose. Glass separates from regulator. Glass doesn't fit into window frame causi ng cracking sound and activating the child safety feature automatically reversing closure. Glass can break presenting safety hazard. Problem continuous. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lexus is 300. While driving 50 mph, the contact noticed smoke rising from under the hood, followed by a loud noise. The vehicle shut off and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the cause of failure as the timing belt. The dealer did not make the repair. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that there was oil build-up inside the engine. He recommended that the engine be replaced. As of june 6, 2007, the engine has not been repaired. The current mileage is 140,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle jerked and pulled to the right. The pulling progressively got worse over the course of a week. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. The mechanic determined the cotter pin came out of the cv ball. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2006
“Tl*- the contact has a 2001 lexus is300 that was parked on the side of the road when another vehicle struck the contact's vehicle while parked. The contacts vehicle got jammed into a pole causing it to damage the front of the vehicle. When the contact started vehicle to move it off of the street, the contact noticed red fluid coming out the vehicle, as well as, something that penetrated a radiator hose. The harness balance broke and apparently flew into the hose. The transmission line snap and a pulley from the front of the engine cracked. The failure and current mileage were both 140000. The contact can provide police report if needed.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2006
“I was recently in an accident at which the front and side airbags did not deploy, causing my friend in the passenger seat to his the dash, breaking his cheekbone. And I hit my cheek on the steering wheel, because of the airbags not deploying.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2005
“A near head-on accident involving a lexus is300 and an suv. The is300 was traveling at approx. 40 mph and the other vehicle, approx. 20 mph. The damage to the lexus is extensive (more than $9,000). The airbags did not deploy. This contributed to injuries of the driver - brusing on shoulder and hip from the set belt.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2004
“When applying the brakes pedal vibrated violently, resulting in extended stopping distance. The dealer stated the brake caliper broke. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2004
“On three separate occasions within prior three months of incident date, when tapping accelerator to the floor briefly (fraction of a second) and then releasing, cars throttle remained completely open (maximum rpms) even with foot off of the accelerator pedal. Cars throttle system equipped with "drive by wire" or a wireless computer controlled throttle. On prior two occasions, vehicle's ignition had to be shut off by removing keys from ignition while driving in the middle of the street. On third occasion, due to trying to avoid obstacles driver had no time to shut car off. Car struck rocks and veered off into lake. Car totaled. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact IS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Lexus IS reliable?
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Lexus IS. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 2001 Lexus IS have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.