The Lemon Index
20021st generation
Not enough data. Only 15 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 BMW 3 Series 1272001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 402001 Acura TL 92
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 06E026000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Lexus sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Suspension ball joint inspection method”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 15 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 29K to 33K miles (47K to 54K km) on the car (5 of all 15 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Driver's side rear inner tire sidewall separated. This resulted in a crash. Bridgestone, potenza, 215/45zr17, dot ejokjbj360.
2001 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10059525
More owner reports
Ongoing problem with hesitation when accelerating. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and the problem was reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
NHTSA complaint 8015344
While driving vehicle would hesitate when accelerating. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and problem reoccurred. Feel free to provide any further information.
NHTSA complaint 8015367
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Suspension ball joint inspection method
- This bulletin addresses rear quarter window wind noise on 2001 model year is 300 vehicles
- Subject regarding 17inch factory installed tires, 215/45zr17
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2001" title="Lexus IS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-is/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Lexus IS reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2001 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (20%), tires (13%) and suspension (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus IS have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Lexus IS get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2001 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Lexus IS have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2001?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works