The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 9,972 in the U.S. in 2004 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 BMW 3 Series 532004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2004 Cadillac CTS 160
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E012000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lexus sent dealers 67 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos”?
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 3 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 →
In owners' words
While driving in inclement weather the vehicle rear traction malfunctioned which resulted in frequent spinouts and a subsequent collision with another vehicle.
2004 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10109733
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 67 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
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. 2004 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=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Lexus IS reliable?
We can't score it: only 9,972 were sold in the U.S. in 2004 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (33%), suspension (33%) and speed control (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 Lexus IS get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Lexus IS have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2004?
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