The Lemon Index
200220041st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,559 in the U.S. in 2003 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 BMW 3 Series 782003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 452003 Cadillac CTS 139
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E012000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Lexus sent dealers 65 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Adhesive & sealant cross reference Information”?
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 6 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 3K to 22K miles (5K to 36K km) on the car (6 of all 6 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
While driving through an intersection the consumer's vehicle was broadsided. The side impact air bags did not deploy.
2003 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10057389
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 65 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Adhesive & sealant cross reference Information
- REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ?
- SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB Nos
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
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. 2003 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.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Lexus IS reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,559 were sold in the U.S. in 2003 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2003 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (50%), body structure (33%) and tires (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 Lexus IS get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Lexus IS have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest.
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