Major Problems with Lexus RX 300 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Lexus RX 300 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Lexus RX 300

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Lexus RX 300.

Model Year	Complaints
2003 RX 300	16
2002 RX 300	44
2001 RX 300	77
2000 RX 300	125
1999 RX 300	131

Worst 3 Lexus RX 300 complaints

2002 Lexus RX 300 FRONTAL Victims: 6

1999 Lexus RX 300 AIR BAGS Victims: 3

1999 Lexus RX 300 AXLE ASSEMBLY Victims: 2

Browse Lexus RX 300 complaints by category

Problems with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Lexus RX 300 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. while driving 65 mph the engine shut off without warning and the vehicle...	167 ~ 105673 miles
POWER TRAIN the vehicle suddenly lost transmission on the road and was rolling freely. the gears does not work anymore and the...	40 ~ 124122 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. while driving 10 mph out of the parking lot the vehicle accelerated and...	29 ~ 94999 miles
AIR BAGS air bag "problem" warning light came on intermittently. dealer stated that if the light was on the air bags would	15 ~ 107523 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING this complaint is almost identical to others i have found and is very serious. purchased 2003 lexus rx300 from a...	14 ~ 90122 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i own a 2003 lexus rx300. after i had came from a completed stop while depressed on the accelerator pedal...	12 ~ 125547 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while traveling out to denver from omaha received low oil pressure light on my 2003 lexus rx300. pulled over immediately...	11 ~ 68036 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING inspite of changing the oil within warranty guidelines my rx 300 developed engine sludge in the 3.0 6 cylinder engine....	11
ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2001 lexus rx300. while driving 65 mph the engine stalled. the vehicle was not diagnosed...	7 ~ 187840 miles
TIRES tire blew out sounded like an explosion. *ak (tiresize: p225/70)( dot number: tire size: p225/70 )...	7 ~ 20000 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER the vehicle did not come equipped with automatic door locks mr. ak. jb...	7 ~ 71084 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS vehicle involved in collision and air bags did not deploy.*mr the vehicle was struck on the left driver's side while...	6 ~ 67500 miles
EQUIPMENT not my vehicle but on other vehicle on the road. numerous time i have happened upon a newer lexus rx...	5 ~ 70000 miles
SEAT BELTS throughout the life of seatbelt on the drivers side it has loosened 4 to 5 inches during normal driving conditions...	5 ~ 100399 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE the two cup holders on top of the center console. the holders are not deep enough t o hold a...	5 ~ 144000 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING suddenly my gears began shifting into neutral park reverse and into !st and 2nd gear without locking into any of...	4 ~ 96411 miles
STEERING i took the vehicle to the lexus dealer when purchase. i told the repair person that there was a noise/roaring...	4 ~ 97500 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION 2001 lexus rx300 in town driving all of a sudden the wheels seemed to be locked up any speed above...	4 ~ 59300 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. when the contact attempted to start the vehicle she noticed that the engine...	4 ~ 46877 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i have a lexus rx300 2002 which i purchased used because of their well know reputation to operate for a...	4 ~ 100789 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC dt: lexus rx 300 suv 2002 consumer complained of a brake problem. every 9 000 miles brake system failed. the...	4 ~ 9000 miles
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving at about 15mph after starting out from a stop light the engine compartment burst into flames. the vehicle...	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when braking the brake pedal goes to the floor. vehicle hit a tree and a car as a result of	4 ~ 89000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS during vehicle collision the side impact air bags did not deploy vehicle was hit directly on the side of the	4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL i own a 2003 lexus rx300. after i had came from a completed stop while depressed on the accelerator pedal...	3 ~ 274000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES i own a 2003 lexus rx300. after i had came from a completed stop while depressed on the accelerator pedal...	3 ~ 226000 miles
WHEELS tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. the contact took the vehicle to a repair shop for a routine tire...	3 ~ 135000 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES 2/1/03 wfs 2002 lexus rx 300 with 1800 miles turning into parking lot hit the curb traveling slowly and the...	3
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when applying brakes after vehicle has stopped awhile brakes squeaked very loudly. contacted dealer.*ak...	3
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT when changing lanes steering wheel went into opposite direction resulting in a collision. dealer has inspected vehicle and has not...	3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM while driving with client friends to the ritz carlton in rancho mirage for thanksgiving dinner the car suddenly stalled. the...	2 ~ 138839 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES liftgate opens due to rust in ball stud attached to body. there is a possibility that the liftgate can fall	2
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM have gone through 4 batteries -- 3 within 3 months. fletcher jones dealership in las vegas nv keeps insisting nothing...	2 ~ 36717 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING after attaching a u-haul trailer to the rx300 trailer hitch the tail lights turn signals and trailer lights weren't functioning....	2 ~ 78920 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS front brake disc rotors are warped at only 28000 miles. *ak...	2 ~ 28000 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i own a 1999 lexus rx300 and have had an engine sludge problem which was repaired by the dealer with...	2 ~ 80600 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE while driving consumer hit a piece of rubber tire that had flew off a truck minutes later the consumer was...	2
REAR > SUSPENSION the car was hit on the rear passanger side the whole rear axle came off due to such accident and...	2 ~ 79600 miles
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN the car was hit on the rear passanger side the whole rear axle came off due to such accident and...	2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER fuel gauge indicator will read the wrong reading and cause vehicle to shut off while driving with no warning. dealer...	2
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS since i have had the car (2/2000) the driver's seat belt has intermittently loosened 4-6 inches during normal driving conditions...	2
PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN vehicle would roll backward when stopping on a hill . dealer was notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak...	2
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE if the wireless remote is used to lock the vehicle and a person in it then after 30 seconds the...	2
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS seat belt does not retract properly & has come loose from the car frame....	2 ~ 55000 miles
COLUMN SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION there was a power distribution problem in the transfer case which caused the wheels to lock up at 60mph. dlr	2
SUSPENSION i took the vehicle to the lexus dealer when purchase. i told the repair person that there was a noise/roaring...	1 ~ 75000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM purchased car from guy and found out two days later paper work in the glove box that contained a carfax...	1
PARKING BRAKE i was driving a lexus rx 300 and had exited the freeway. i pressed the brake lightly to decrease my...	1 ~ 59422 miles
REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY i have a popping in the steering column. i hope that the steering is not lost from this popping. *tr...	1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC while driving the abs started activating when the brakes were applied and once the car speed was less than 20-25...	1 ~ 100000 miles
VISIBILITY my lexus rx300 2000 the sun visors keeps falling down which prevents me to drive in which i get distracted...	1 ~ 115000 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i have a lexus rx300 awd and just found out that the transmission needs to be replaced at 120 000...	1 ~ 122000 miles
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT dt: vehicle was purchased used from a honda dealer in texas banxten honda. vehicle was just out of the four...	1 ~ 60000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS the heated seat in my lexus rx300 has become so hot that it has burnt the leather and it has...	1 ~ 76500 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY consumer experienced a problem with the front windshield cracking for no known reason while parked in the garage overnight. consumer	1 ~ 35000 miles
DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC dt: lexus rx 300 suv 2002 consumer complained of a brake problem. every 9 000 miles brake system failed. the...	1 ~ 9000 miles
TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING after attaching a u-haul trailer to the rx300 trailer hitch the tail lights turn signals and trailer lights weren't functioning....	1
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving 40 mph vehicle caught on fire without warning. due to severe damage from the fire vehicle was considered	1 ~ 41000 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN i drive a 2002 lexus rx300. i was smelling a burning odor from below my car and called up to...	1
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT traveling 60 mph on merit pky connecticut the fluid leaked out of a blown gasket in the transfer box to...	1 ~ 41000 miles
LINKAGES > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while going slow the car accelerates suddenly already this happened twice and both times i hit the wall. *jb...	1
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING throughout the life of seatbelt on the drivers side it has loosened 4 to 5 inches during normal driving conditions...	1
PEDALS AND LINKAGES > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the vehicle experienced brake failure on 6 different occasions and has been inspected 3 times when the pedal is applied...	1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i own 1999 lexus rx300 since february of the last year i had numerous problems with the car's engine (it...	1 ~ 88000 miles
GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM i own 1999 lexus rx300 since february of the last year i had numerous problems with the car's engine (it...	1 ~ 88000 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and heard a popping noise. she happened to look out of mirror and	1
FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY while driving electrical system under the hood had caught on fire. was able to pull over and stop. had no	1
TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) > POWER TRAIN transmission failure with 1999 rx300. my transmission is shot. we only have 85 000 miles on the car. the dealership...	1 ~ 85000 miles
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT while changing a flat tire: as the vehicle was being raised the srew rod (pushes the vehicle up and down)...	1
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS shortly after i puchased my vehicle i began having flat tires at 1200 1700 and 2018 miles. when the tires...	1
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING when changing lanes steering wheel went into opposite direction resulting in a collision. dealer has inspected vehicle and has not...	1
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING contact person: kevin ezratty service manger bob baker lexus el cajon ca 92020 (619) 440 5398 car overheats and stalls...	1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES at 40 mph or above with the sun roof opened the air entering the vehicle makes the whole vehicle shake...	1
LINKAGES > STEERING if the wireless remote is used to lock the vehicle and a person in it then after 30 seconds the...	1
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY if the wireless remote is used to lock the vehicle and a person in it then after 30 seconds the...	1
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES upon entering the vehicle occupant pressed door locks and shut the door. but did not have the vehicle's keys after...	1
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING upon entering the vehicle occupant pressed door locks and shut the door. but did not have the vehicle's keys after...	1
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN ongoing problem with erratic jerking. also front wheel would commence to spin and tracking light would come on. vehicle been	1
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC upon backing up the front brakes make a horrible squealing noise. dealer stated cannot fix problem....	1
CHILD SEAT century model 4525 wvs - apparently this seat was recalled. when it was recalled the manufacturer dates mentioned apparently were...	1
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY major blind area in the back of the lexus rx300. mr. the consumer was unable to see small children when...	1
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM consumer was able to remove key from the ignition with vehicle not being in the park gear. as a result	1 ~ 14805 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY sun roof does not have the same pinch protection as side windows. the sun roof closed on my hand as...	1
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL vehicle did not start four times in six week period. battery replaced twice. problem still exist. *tt ...	1

FAQ

What year Lexus RX 300 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 5 years, Lexus RX 300 models of 2003, 2002, 2001 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Lexus RX 300?

Lexus RX 300 models of 1999 and 2000 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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