2003 Lexus IS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Engine: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2006: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2020: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10173050 · 2006-11-09 (November 9, 2006)
ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 27TH, I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY BOYFRIEND FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE. I WAS IN MY 3-DAY OLD CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED LEXUS IS300. IT WAS A 2003 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT, IN SPECTACULAR MINT CONDITION. UPON COMING AROUND A SLIGHT BEND IN THE ROAD LEADING INTO OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX, A DEER RAN OUT INTO THE ROAD FROM THE RIGHT. I SWERVED LEFT UPON INSTINCT, AND WE HIT GRAVEL AND THEN WET GRASS. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR SKID BECAUSE IT COULD NOT GET ANY TRACTION IN THE WET GRASS. WE HIT A BRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566913 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)
VEHICLE FISHTAILED AT ABOUT 40 MPH DUE TO RWD AND ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. SEATBELT WAS BEING WORN AND VEHICLE SLID ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HIT AN EARLY 2000'S F250 (I BELIEVE) ROCKER PANEL. THE WHOLE FRONT END IS DESTROYED AND I HAVE PICTURES. MY HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAD A CTSCAN AND WAS AMBULANCED TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL THAT HAD A NEURO SURGEON AND KEPT OVERNIGHT. I AM NOW ON NECESSARY LEAVE FROM WORK AND IN A GREA…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566913 at NHTSA ↗