Research · Subcompact Cars
2001 Lexus IS300Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 35 owner complaints for the 2001 Lexus IS300. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (6) and tires (5). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
35
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2001 Lexus IS300 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
35 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2001 – Jan 2019
- Vehicle speed control6
- Tires5
- Power train4
- Suspension4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Air bags3
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Structure2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Vehicle speed control
6 reports2 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS IS300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN FROM A SERVICE ROAD ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY THE CONTACT HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. WHEN THE CONTACT SLOWLY REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THERE WAS AN EXTREME INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE ENGINE ROARED LOUDLY AND IT ACCELERATED AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED BACKWARDS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING. INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO PROCEED INTO THE HIGHWAY SHE MADE THE DECISION TO CRASH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED FOR FLOOR MAT ENTRAPMENT BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF INTERFERENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 5/17/2010 * CN UPDATED 05/20/10.*JB”
Tires
5 reports
“TOTAL FAILURE OF TIRE WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY - IN FACT TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM - TIRE WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 WEEKS OLD.BRIDGESTONE WITH UNI-T AQ/AQ 100528 POTENZA RE950 215/45R17 TLBL PS DOT # HYDKDFA2001”
Power train
4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS IS 300. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND IT FAILED TO ROLL BACK UP. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GLASS PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000. ...UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S5)
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 300 Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Lexus IS300 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 4337
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2001 IS300 questions
How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus IS300 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2001 Lexus IS300 problems?
Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (6), tires (5), power train (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2001 Lexus IS300 get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Lexus IS300 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026