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Lexus RX300Model year report

2003 Lexus RX300 Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Lexus RX300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus RX300. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (5) and air bags (3). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 26% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The vehicle suddenly lost transmission on the road and was rolling freely. The gears does not work anymore and the vehicle rolls as if its in neutral. When search the internet I looked at lot of the customers complaining about exact same thing, about this vehicle having transmission issues especially for RX300. No wonder toyota has this many recalls and surprised that their premium brand has the same issues with safety. I am glad that this did not happen on a highway”

NHTSA complaint #10401788, filed 2011-05, 117,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “The contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. While driving into a driveway at speeds of under 8 MPH, she heard a loud revving noise and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle crashed into the garage door and pushed two other vehicles in the driveway through a cement wall and through her home. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer were contacted. The repairs were covered through her insurance company. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10312223, filed 2010-02, 38,000 miles

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2003 Lexus 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the airbag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the airbag failure was due to water. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 180,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10678922, filed 2015-01, 180,000 miles

Electrical system: “I own a 2003 Lexus RX300. After I had came from a completed stop while depressed on the accelerator pedal, the brakes began to lock with the ABS brake light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated the av pump failed or that it maybe something with the electronic control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturers were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 320,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10935552, filed 2016-12, 320,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

26% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 134,000 miles.

0%0–1011%10–2516%25–5026%50–755%75–10026%100–15016%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’02’04’06’094’11’14’16’22
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Lexus RX300. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RX300 · sedan not rated4 / 5——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Lexus RX300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RX 300 FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172118$3,700
RX 300 4WD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162118$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Lexus RX300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20032570,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20028896,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
2001169108,1000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
2000216103,7500—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1999221103,8362—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Lexus RX300 have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lexus RX300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Lexus RX300 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 5.

Has the 2003 Lexus RX300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Lexus RX300 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Lexus RX300 (RX 300, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 17 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Lexus RX300 reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 134,000 miles; 26% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.