2003 Lexus Is problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (4) · Structure:body (3) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Is model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (28)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0021-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film withi
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0020-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 28 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-23 · Steering · 💥 crash“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-bi…”
2024-07-23 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“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,…”
2020-12-31 · Structure:body“the dashboard and center console is melting, leaving a sticky & shiny surface making it hazardous to drive the vehicle. a warranty campaign was issued for several other lexus models to address this very issue, however, the 2003 is300 was excluded. lexus could not provide a reason as to why this exact defect was not addressed for the 2003 is300 mo…”
2016-02-12 · Air Bags · 130,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 manufac…”
2015-09-16 · Visibility/Wiper“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 pai…”
2015-07-08 · Structure:body · 80,000 mi“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.…”
2015-01-26 · Structure“dashboard is "melting". recalls have been made for dashboards of the es300 and rx 300 models for the same problems. *tr…”
2014-11-10 · Engine · 49,000 mi“my car has 51000 miles on it and i'm told my alternator should be replaced. i took my car for one things and the dealership found 4 different issues which 2 of the issues i am aware of. grant you all the parts in my car are the original parts. i service my car according to lexus 25,000 - 75,000 miles services. how can i well kept and seldom drive …”
2014-11-03 · Air Bags · 48,000 mi“initially, the passenger air bag compartment started shining, melting and deteriorating then the entire dashboard started deteriorating. now the air bag compartment weakening where it is sinking in the middle. i'm very afraid that the compartment will deploy the air bag and injure and/or killing anyone sitting in the seat. i which started complai…”
2014-09-03 · Structure:body · 30,000 mi“dash is melting and coming off creating a shiny surface. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.