RecallMyCar

2003 Lexus IS Recalls, Complaints & Specs

No safety recalls list the 2003 Lexus IS, and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

0
safety recalls
12
owner complaints to NHTSA
5 / 0
complaints citing a crash / fire
18
MPG combined (EPA)

No safety recalls on record

NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 2003 Lexus IS. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.

12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Lexus IS have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 53,336 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 4 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 23, 2024 · Engine

“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 an”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 23, 2024 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 Lexus IS (IS 300). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined18 mpg
City / Highway16 / 22–23
FuelPremium
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine6 cyl, 3 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S5); Manual 5-spd

Compare Lexus IS model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Lexus IS model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1999 Lexus IS01
2001 Lexus IS01
2002 Lexus IS012
2003 Lexus IS012
2004 Lexus IS010
2005 Lexus IS012
2006 Lexus IS7143
2007 Lexus IS3122
2008 Lexus IS3102
2009 Lexus IS240
2010 Lexus IS140
2011 Lexus IS015
2012 Lexus IS018
2013 Lexus IS09
2014 Lexus IS012
2015 Lexus IS09
2016 Lexus IS02
2017 Lexus IS011
2018 Lexus IS03
2019 Lexus IS02
2020 Lexus IS06
2021 Lexus IS02
2022 Lexus IS14
2023 Lexus IS05
2024 Lexus IS01
2025 Lexus IS01
2026 Lexus IS01

Checking a specific 2003 Lexus IS

How do I know if my 2003 Lexus IS has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Lexus dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Lexus models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.