2003 Lexus IS: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (37% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“Vehicle was caught on a flash flood july 2015. Was taken to lexus of san diego in sept on claim as front right side squealing/squeaking while driving or turning right. Lexus of san diego kept vehicle for 30days with no outcome inspection write to insurance company. Brushed off compmaint. Whoke driving vehicle in jan 2016 contol arm snapped.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2016
“The brakes failed at 143,840 miles. The brakes failure occurred while driving the car on a busy city street. After inspection by a mechanic at firestone auto care..it was determined that a noticeable internal leak was coming from power brake booster. It was also determined that the master cylinder and power brake booster must be replaced.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dash is peeling along with the center console. The passenger side airbag is also start to discolor and peel. The peeling is more like starting to gum up or become sticky.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lexus is300. The contact stated that dashboard was melting. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2014
“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. I believe my medical injuries could have been avoided if the vehicles airbags were deployed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus is 300. The contact stated that the dashboard and center console were melting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 4/6/15*cn the consumer also stated the power steering was leaking due to a faulty rack and pinion. Updated 04/28/15*jb”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2012
“The dashboard on this car has been melting over the years. It is garaged all the time but if I put it in the sun for even 30 minutes, it becomes sticky and chemicals start to leach into the car and it smells horrible. If I touch the dashboard, black paint comes off onto my fingers. I took it to the dealer and they said they had seen it before and I complained to lexus. Because there is no recall, they say as a good will gesture, they will cover 50% to repair. That is ridiculously expensive for something that is probably causing cancer, it is all over the lexus boards that this is happening and they won't do anything unless if there is a recall!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2011
“Dash is melting and is sticking to anything that is rub up against it. I saw a recall on all other model regarding this issue. Except this particular model 2003 lexus is300. I believe it should extend to this year and model as well. No dash should be melting away with heat! Owner should not be responsible for poorly built parts! For how much I paid for the car, the manufacturer should replace the problem are no cost!”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2011
“The dashboard on my lexus is 300 is melting. It is very sticky and as it heats up a chemical is released and there is an odor in the car. I called lexus and they said that the recall does not effect the year of my vehicle, but it is very clear that this car has a serious issue. All is300 regardless of year with this issue must be recalled.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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 2003 Lexus IS reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Lexus IS. The most complained-about area is structure (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Lexus IS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 48,800 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Lexus IS have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has 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.