2003 Lexus Is 300 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Is 300 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 (56)
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.
Equipment 2022-04-13 · Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements 4.13.2022
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by lexus. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information o
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. this bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Power Train:manual Transmission:lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. this bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Steering 2020-06-23 · L-SB-0174-08 Obs · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: obsolete notice june 23, 2020: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see l-sb-0023-20.
Wheels 2020-06-23 · L-SB-0023-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: supersession notice the information contained in this bulletin supersedes service bulletin nos. st004-01, su001-08, and l-sb-0174-08. the aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before
Showing the 6 most recent of 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-02-03 · Suspension“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.…”
2015-10-28 · Service Brakes · 143,840 mi“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.…”
2015-08-12 · Structure:body“dash is melting and is sticking to anything that is rub up against it. body parts, car wash towel, grocery. i seel 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! …”
2015-07-09 · Structure:body“dash is melting and is sticking to anything that is rub up against it. body parts, car wash towel, grocery. i seel 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! and owner should not be responsible fo…”
2015-07-08 · Unknown Or Other · 185,000 mi“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.…”
2015-01-28 · Structure:body · 85,000 mi“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 …”
2014-09-11 · Structure:body · 80,000 mi“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. …”
2014-07-29 · Unknown Or Other · 52,000 mi“the dashboard is in very poor condition with a sticky and melting appearance. i complained to lexus of toyota and was told that the warranty would not cover to replace or fix the problem. considering that i did not have money to replace this with my own funds, i did not pursue it. *js…”
2013-09-12 · Structure · 48,600 mi · 💥 crash“i special ordered a 2003 lexus is 300 in 2002 in which waited 2 months for its arrival. there has been several recalls with components on my car but lexus selected just a few to send letters to. initially, the dashboard was manufacture with defective material and lexus corporation refused to take care of it. i am still working on this issue then th…”
2013-09-06 · Unknown Or Other · 40,000 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.