2002 Lexus RX300 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report automatic transmission failure, typically appearing without warning while driving and often requiring replacement. A second recurring theme in the complaint sample is unexpected engine speed increase or a sticking accelerator pedal, reported both at parking-lot speeds and at highway speed, plus engine oil consumption issues.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission failure

   • 38 complaints (43%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,950 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2018

   Complaints describe the transmission quitting with little or no warning — loss of drive, slipping between gears, grinding noises, or the vehicle stopping dead while driving. Owners report the car being towed and shops or dealers quoting a replacement or rebuild, frequently a few thousand dollars, and some note that no warning light came on beforehand. Several owners mention being told the fluid was badly degraded, and a few question whether fluid changes were recommended for this unit. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 150,000 miles, often during ordinary driving rather than under heavy use.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid was ever changed, and check the fluid color and smell on a test drive. Drive the car from a cold start and note any hesitation, slipping, delayed engagement, or whine before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission failed without prior warning while driving at 25 MPH. Fortunately, was close to home and able to make it back to my driveway. Had car towed into shop and they advised me of a total transmission failure . All services performed on the vehicle, no unusual or harsh driving condition on vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10437370, filed 2011-11, 107,085 miles

   “When I was driving three light turned on at the same time. The check engine light, vsc and trac off light. I went to a mechanic and he stated there is something wrong with the solenoid. Took it to the mechanic to check the oil pan and the stolenois is getting clogged because the transmission is shot.”

   NHTSA complaint #10424181, filed 2011-09, 169,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Engine revs up or accelerator sticks

   • 15 complaints (17%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2017

   Complaints describe the engine revving and the car surging forward without the driver pressing the accelerator, most often while pulling into a parking space, turning at low speed, or after starting. Owners say applying the brakes did not fully stop the car and that shutting the engine off was the only way to end it. A few describe a pedal that felt stuck and needed extra pressure to move; dealers in some cases reported finding debris in the throttle body or replaced a sensor. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 to well over 150,000 miles, most often at low speed and in parking or driveway situations.

   What to check: On a test drive, check that the pedal moves freely with no binding, and have the throttle body and pedal linkage inspected. Ask whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has ever been cleaned or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Throttle became stuck on 2002 Lexus RX300 while car was being driven causing it to rapidly accelerate. Car had to be turned off before it could be stopped. Car was towed to Lexus dealer. I was told it was just a freak accident that a tiny piece of plastic had gotten sucked into throttle. I want to be sure this was an accident and is not a defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #10018315, filed 2003-05, 24,500 miles

   “While pulling into a parking space in my office parking lot, I had an unattended acceleration while my foot was on the brake. The car lunged over the curb, up a slight incline, hit a small tree which knocked down the perimeter fence. I called the Lexus dealership and they gave me an 800 number to call. I reported what happened and they sent a tow truck to bring my car to the dealership because I was afraid to drive it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10425185, filed 2011-09, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil consumption and engine failure

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • median 83,400 mi at 8.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2017

   Owners report the oil level dropping quickly, having to add oil between changes, and the oil pressure or check engine light coming on. Some describe dark smoke from the exhaust, hard starting, or engine noise, and several say a shop or dealer concluded the engine needed replacement or rebuilding after finding oil loss with no obvious external leak. A few report the dealer could not pinpoint where the oil was going. Typically reported between about 38,000 and 120,000 miles, often noticed after the oil light came on between services.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition before and after a test drive, and ask whether the car uses oil between changes. Look for blue or dark exhaust smoke and listen for knocking or ticking on start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine knocks on acceleration, burns oil bad, hard to start, transmmision will not auto shift into high range on freeway, car lurches when getting up to freeway speed”

   NHTSA complaint #11010984, filed 2017-07, 65,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact noticed that the check oil light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the oil was contaminating the engine through a cracked piston ring. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure was 94,000 and the current mileage was 96,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10409042, filed 2011-06, 94,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 10 complaints (11%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2018

   Complaints describe collisions in which the airbags did not deploy or deployed only partially, including side impacts, rear impacts, and one case where the bag came out toward the center of the car. Several owners report injuries and say the dealer or manufacturer had not inspected or repaired the vehicle at the time of filing. One owner reports airbag sensor codes traced to wiring under the seats that was not secured. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 130,000 miles, at the time of a collision rather than as a pre-existing symptom.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Watch for an airbag or SRS warning light on the dash and have any stored airbag codes read before buying. Ask whether the seat-mounted side airbag wiring or sensor connections have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The consumer was involved in a rear end collision of 25 MPH, and the air bags failed to deploy. The upper harness of the seat belt failed to hold the consumer in place. The consumers chest hit up against the steering wheel. The consumer was transported to the local hospital by ambulance. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112938, filed 2005-04, 43,000 miles

   “Dt: the consumer was involved in an accident in which the driver's side air bag did not deploy correctly. The consumer indicated that the air bag only partially deployed after impact and when it deployed in was towards the center of the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10119961, filed 2005-05, 82,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission and a careful test drive at low and highway speeds are the most useful steps for this model year, since transmission trouble is the most frequently reported issue. Also check oil level and airbag warning lights before committing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.