Lexus Is 300 Reliability
156 NHTSA complaints (2001–2022). Complaint rate: 14.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2001–2004 Lexus Is 300. The 2020–2022 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Lexus Is 300 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 18 | 11.1% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 | 35.7% |
| SUSPENSION | 10 | 0.0% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 | 10.0% |
| TIRES | 10 | 20.0% |
| STRUCTURE | 8 | 12.5% |
| ENGINE | 7 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 6 | 66.7% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001AVOID | — | 29 | 8 | 3 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002AVOID | — | 37 | 9 | — | View 2002View→ |
| 2003AVOID | — | 25 | 7 | 1 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004AVOID | — | 23 | 3 | — | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 6 | 0 | — | View 2005View→ |
| 2016GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2016View→ |
| 2017GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2017View→ |
| 2018 | — | 9 | 1 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | — | 13 | 3 | 3 | View 2019View→ |
| 2020GOOD | — | 4 | 1 | — | View 2020View→ |
| 2021GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2021View→ |
| 2022GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2022View→ |
See also: Lexus Is 300accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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