VehicleVerdict

2001 Lexus Is 300 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2001 Lexus Is 300 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

29

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Is 300 years?

Is 300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted37 complaints2001: 29 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 23 complaints2005: 6 complaints2006: 1 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 2 complaints2018: 9 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 2 complaints
Is 300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Is 300 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Lexus Is 300 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control517%
Suspension414%
Engine414%
Transmission310%
Airbags27%
Brakes27%
Fuel System27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Visibility & Wipers27%
Electrical System13%
Body & Structure13%
Steering13%

Does the 2001 Lexus Is 300 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN PRIOR THREE MONTHS OF INCIDENT DATE, WHEN TAPPING ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR BRIEFLY (FRACTION OF A SECOND) AND THEN RELEASING, CARS THROTTLE REMAINED COMPLETELY OPEN (MAXIMUM RPMS) EVEN WITH FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CARS THROTTLE SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 27, 2004 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS IS 300. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS THE TIMING BELT. THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2006 · fire

“PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM MADE TAPPING SOUND. TOOK TO PARK PLACE LEXUS, PLANO TX - CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACED FOR FREE. THEY TOLD ME THAT A RUBBER GROMMET/GASKET WAS MISSING AND THAT METAL HAD RUBBED METAL UNTIL SEVERE RUST DEVELOPED. ONLY ABOUT 1 MONTHS LATER THE NOISE IS BACK AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 1, 2004

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JERKED AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE PULLING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE COTTER PIN CAME OUT OF THE CV BALL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 7, 2006

“I HAVE A 2001 LEXUS IS300 WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MULITPLE TIMES FOR SELF FLOODING. THIS PAST WINTER THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE. LEXUS CAME UP AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT IT CHECKED OUT FINE. BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK THE ECM. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 24, 2003 · crash

2001 Lexus Is 300 — common questions

Is the 2001 Lexus Is 300 reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2001 Is 300 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints), suspension (4 complaints).

Does the 2001 Lexus Is 300 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2001 Lexus Is 300. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus Is 300 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Is 300 years to avoid are 2002, 2018, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Is 300 years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.