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Air bagsPart report

2002 Lexus RX300 Air bags Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
11%of 88 total for the year
Median mileage
82,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Lexus RX300, 11% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“Lexus has not assembled/secured the airbag wiring proper underneath of seat and prompts the b1140 right-hand side air bag sensor assembly b1141 left-hand side air bag sensor assembly codes in 2002 RX300 models. This is one of the most common problem on this vehicle and can be deadly for these cars considering the airbags want deploy in an accident because of the lose and not properly secured wiring. Dealer asks $1800 to get this corrected where as this is a manufacturing defect. Needs a recall for both (left/right) seats airbag wiring/ECM circuits.”

NHTSA complaint #11140719, filed 2018-10, 110,000 miles

“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

“Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that while parking vehicle, there was an abnormal increase in engine rpms as the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a fence before coming to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy and the contact suffered injuries to the right shoulder. The vehicle was not destroyed. The contact called the manufacturer and the manufacturer sent a technician to examine the vehicle failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10441502, filed 2011-12, 135,000 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

“The contact owns a 2002 Lexus rx 300. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and none of the air bags deployed. The contact mentioned that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the failure. As a result, he sustained a head injury after hitting the dashboard. The driver of the other vehicle suffered a neck injury. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 290,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10471942, filed 2012-08, 290,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003312%
20021011%
200185%
200010%
1999146%

Other parts of the 2002 Lexus RX300

Transmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Lexus RX300

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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