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2001 Lexus IS 300 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Lexus IS 300, most often about the speed control (19% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about IS 300 model year since 2000.

Complaints27
Recalls0
Crashes reported8
Fires reported3
Injuries reported11

Most common 2001 Lexus IS 300 problems

  1. Speed control

    5 complaints · 19%

    Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    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 "drive by wire" or a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 29,200 miles
    Since I have owned the vehicle, I have had two incidents, which both occured randomly with no prior engine problems or indications of issues with the car, in which as I was accelerating, the gas pedal would continue to press down and pin itself to the floor. Both times, the gas pedal was literally stuck to the floor…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 65,000 miles

  2. Engine

    4 complaints · 15%

    Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.

    Tl 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 did not make the repair.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 70,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2001 Lexus is300. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke emitting from the engine. The contact pulled over and shut the vehicle off. When she opened the hood, she saw smoke coming from the radiator and a crack at the top of the radiator. The vehicle was towed to an authorized…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 114,000 miles

  3. Suspension

    4 complaints · 15%

    Parts named most often: front.

  4. Transmission

    3 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.

    : 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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 67,700 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 154,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2001 Lexus IS 300 recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2001 Lexus IS 300

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lexus IS 300?
By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (5 complaints); engine (4 complaints); suspension (4 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus IS 300 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus IS 300. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2001 a bad year for the Lexus IS 300?
It is the 2nd most complained-about IS 300 model year since 2000, with 27 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Lexus IS 300 years

Lexus IS 300 problems by year