Lexus RX300 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 719 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Lexus RX300 (1999–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 1999 has the most, with 221. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (435 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All RX300 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 25 | 70,000 | 0 | 51 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 88 | 96,000 | 0 | 50 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 169 | 108,100 | 0 | 48 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 216 | 103,750 | 0 | 36 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 221 | 103,836 | 2 | 33 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain435 62%
- Engine cooling72 10%
- Vehicle speed control65 9.3%
- Air bags36 5.2%
- Brakes32 4.6%
- Electrical system27 3.9%
- Seat belts16 2.3%
- Engine16 2.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2000: “Transmission stop working when I was driving at 40 miles for hour no drive or reverse, I turn off the engine and on again , work for few miles and had same problem . I call a tow truck. I try again at home and now transmission doesn't work and I see smoke from the transmission dipstick coming out. I check online and many people had the same problems with the Lexus rx 300.”
NHTSA complaint #10713703, filed 2015-04, 122,000 miles2001: “While traveling at 25 MPH the car stopped accelerating forward and seemed to not be in gear. As I pressed the gas pedal the engine revved up, but would not go forward. Car was taken to the dealer who stated even though the car only has 123k , you need to replace the transaxle. I confirmed that their was no maintenance required.”
NHTSA complaint #10653646, filed 2014-11, 123,117 miles2002: “I entered parking lot and pulled into parking spot with my foot on brake barely going. I was almost all the way into spot when my car lunged up with extremely high rpms. I went into small tree, drove over another car, car flipped on side, then flipped over on roof and into another parked car. Engine overtook the brakes. I am original owner with car extremely well maintained by Lexus. I have never heard or felt this car like this before.”
NHTSA complaint #11047465, filed 2017-11, 197,500 milesOther Lexus models
1,448 complaintsLexus RX
962 complaintsLexus RX350
833 complaintsLexus IS 250
718 complaintsLexus ES300
677 complaintsLexus ES
658 complaintsLexus IS
579 complaintsLexus RX330
524 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology