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Engine coolingPart report

2001 Lexus RX300 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
8%of 169 total for the year
Median mileage
97,854miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Lexus RX300, 8% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,854 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2001 Lexus RX300 died on the freeway. I am told my transmission is ruined and needs to be replaced. I regularly serviced my car and there is no way it should have a blown transmission with only 84,000 miles. After seeing all the similar complaints on the internet, I think there should be a class action suit against Lexus.”

NHTSA complaint #10231411, filed 2008-06, 84,250 miles

“I had service at Lexus and my transmission still went out. They were racist and biased and would not fix it. I had to pay out of my pocket. After that happened, a cylinder went out so now I need that fixed. I thought that Lexus was a superior car. (they do not honor the warranty as they should, at least not in houston west Lexus). This one certainly is not worth what I paid and is not what I expect from Lexus.”

NHTSA complaint #10234294, filed 2008-07, 98,741 miles

“I own a 2001 Lexus RX300 and the transmission went out but Lexus refused to cover it with my 100.000 warranty.they were very racist and wrong. They also refused to take care of the engine repairs. I will never buy another one in my life from such racist pigs!!”

NHTSA complaint #10295596, filed 2009-12, 98,564 miles

“I purchased a 2001 Lexus rx 300 from a private party in february of this year. Within days of the purchase the transmission failed and that was replaced, but I had also noticed some blue smoke when I started it. I took it into my auto mechanic and he told me that the car was burning oil, and actually there was a class action suit filed against toyota related to the problems, I have been advised that this condition will lead to engine failure if the engine is not replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10414008, filed 2011-07, 100,789 miles

“Engine stalled suddenly while driving on roads. Engine would not restart under any conditions and had to be replaced. Mechanics looking at car indicated no engine oil was found in engine despite recent oil change. Mechanics also found no points of any leakage of oil by the engine. Oil was put properly and was burning inappropriately and gelling in engine. Lexus refuse to cover repair under guise of its own inspection.”

NHTSA complaint #10312270, filed 2010-02, 96,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003312%
20021214%
2001138%
2000209%
19992411%

Other parts of the 2001 Lexus RX300

Transmission and drivetrain
123 complaints
Vehicle speed control
20 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Lexus RX300

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology