Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2005 Lexus IS300Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2005 Lexus IS300. Most complaints involve structure (6) and suspension (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
16
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2005 Lexus IS300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2005 – Oct 2021
  1. Structure6
  2. Suspension2
  3. Power train2
  4. Service brakes1
  5. Steering1
  6. Visibility/wiper1
  7. Engine1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Engine and engine cooling1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each IS300 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200135
200245
200334
200429
200516
20163
20172
20186
20197
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

6 reports
“NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CORRECT FORUM. MY CAR HAS A DEFECT THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEFECT TOYOTA LEXUS IS REPAIRING ALL VEHICLES 2006 AND UP LEAVING MINE OUT WHERE CAN I GO FOR HELP PLEASE I WENT TO SERVCO LEXUS AND THEY TREATED ME VERY BADLY [XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2015Structure, EngineODI 10746615

Suspension

2 reports
“SUSPENSION PROBLEMS ON MY LEXUS IS300. THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS KEEP GOING OUT. TIE ROD ENDS. FRONT CONTROL ARM. ALIGNMENT IS ALWAYS OFF. THE CAR DRIVES WITH VIBRATIONS AND SHIMMY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. LOUD CREEKING NOISES. SQUEAK!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2016Steering, SuspensionODI 10824679

Power train

2 reports1 crash
“I OWN LEXUS IS300, YEAR 2005. MILEAGE APPROX 10,000 ONLY. FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER STICKS IN PARK AND REQUIRES THAT I PRESS THE SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE BUTTON. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES. ON THE LAST OCCASION, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SELECTOR LEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING, THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND RESULTED IN A MOST SERIOUS SERIES OF COLLISIONS, FIRST INTO A PARKED CAR THEN AFTER MOUNTING THE SIDEWALK IT SMASHED INTO TWO HOUSES. I SUSTAINED A WRIST FRACTURE AND BRUISES. ALL THIS HAPPENED IN THE SPACE OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2008Power trainCrash reportedODI 10247430
All 2005 IS300 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Manual 5-spd
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 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
IS 300
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$4,200494
IS 300
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$4,200494
  • IS 300
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • IS 300
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Lexus IS300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 1480Vehicle 1399
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2005 IS300 questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Lexus IS300 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.

What are the most common 2005 Lexus IS300 problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (6), suspension (2), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Lexus IS300 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Lexus IS300 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026