LexusIS3002021Overview/lexus/is300/2021/base/

2021 Lexus IS300

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 IS300.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Lexus IS300 utilizes an eight-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 5.7 quarts of 0W-20 viscosity oil, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. With zero recalls and just one owner complaint on record—categorized under unknown or engine-related issues—this model year represents a significant improvement over the 45 complaints filed in 2002 and improves upon the previous low of two complaints seen in 2017 across the model’s documented 2001–2019 history. This positions the 2021 IS300 at the favorable extreme of the nameplate’s reliability spectrum, indicating a mature platform that has largely resolved the issues documented in earlier model years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/31/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780131170
Fuel filter7702453100 alt 2321731080
Spark plug9091901263 alt 9091901276
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8521253100 alt 8522253090
Serpentine belt90916A2026 alt 9091602733
Thermostat9091603156 alt 9091603154
Cabin air filter8713930100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 31 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · SAE 90 · SAE 80W · 80W-90 · 75W-85 in the differential, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · SAE 90 · SAE 80W · 80W-90 · 75W-85
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2 qt
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts221.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 29.0; Rear: 36.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 29.0; Rear: 36.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)Checking Speed: 50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)Checking Speed: 50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFK20HBR8

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity19.1-21.1 lbs
Oil TypeND-12
Oil Capacity1.35 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity19.1-21.1 oz. lbs
Oil TypeND-12
Oil Capacity2.370 -2.880 oz

Service checks

RPM28.0-121.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure14.0 psi
Engine Compression131
Engine Oil PressureMinimum: 38 @ 2500 RPM psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 25.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 92.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .650
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°30 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
163.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°63 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-827 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Step 2: 15.07 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the Lexus IS300 spans two distinct eras: the 2001–2005 generation, which saw relatively elevated complaint volumes (peaking at 45 in 2002) with consistent recalls, and the 2016–2019 current generation, where complaints dropped dramatically to single digits (2–7) but recalls crept upward from zero in 2016 to two in 2019, suggesting a minor late-generation quality drift. The 2021 target year is not included in the year-by-year record, but the available target-year data shows just a single complaint — categorized under "Unknown or Other, Engine" — with zero crash and zero fire complaints, which is notably low even compared to the already quiet 2016–2019 period. This places 2021 favorably within the generational arc, as it appears to continue the low-complaint pattern of the current generation without yet exhibiting the recall uptick seen by 2019. The data does not specify a root cause for the single recorded complaint, so no specific mechanical concern can be identified. Given the minimal complaint volume and absence of crashes or fires in the federal record, the 2021 IS300 appears to be a low-risk purchase year, though buyers should verify whether any recalls were issued after the data cutoff and confirm all applicable TSBs have been addressed.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
81
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 81 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
LSB0007232023-02-14EquipmentTSB: Some 2020 ? 2022 model year vehicles equipped with 17CY+ Panasonic Audio (versions…
LSB0043192023-02-14EquipmentOBSOLETE NOTICE February 14, 2023: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0007-23
L-SB-0057-222022-12-07EquipmentTSB: Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform? 2.0 Navigation…
22LD01-Technical2022-10-31StructureTI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN 22LD01 OPTIONAL BODY-COLORED REAR…
22LD012022-10-31StructureDL: The involved vehicles could be equipped with one of the 53 optional body-colored rear…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific IS300. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 IS300 take?

5.7 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 IS300 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the IS300 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined mpg.