RoadVitals

2000 Lexus RX300

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
216
Latest Oct 6, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
15 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 216 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Lexus RX300, most frequently naming the transmission, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 58 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08E020000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Mar 6, 2008
931 units potentially affected
The defect: POLYMER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT IS RECALLING 931 UNITS OF BACK GLASS, P/NO. FB20415ZPY, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1999-2004 LEXUS RX300 VEHICLES. THE GLASS FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE AUTOMOTIVE GLAZING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, GLAZING MATERIALS.
The risk: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE INJURIES RESULTING FROM IMPACT TO GLAZING SURFACES.
The remedy: POLYMER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLYMER TOLL-FREE AT 800-510-9879.
POLYMER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP02004ClosedDefect Petition

ENGINE SEIZURE

Opened Apr 30, 2002
Closed Jun 20, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 216
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 6, 2018

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO BAD DESIGN. MANY OTHERS HAVE SAME FAILURES. NEED RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11138843
Incident
Oct 6, 2018
Mileage
240,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2018

TRANSMISSION BEGAN NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND MECHANIC PUT IN TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT COULD NOT LOCATE ANY ISSUES WITH IT. TRANMISSION SOON WENT COMPLETELY OUT AT 88,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ONLY OWNED SUV FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. HAD INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASE AND NO PROBLEMS NOTED. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WILL NOT PAY SEVERAL GRAND TO BUY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. LEXUS SHOULD BE ASHAMED. JUST FOUND OUT HOW TO REPORT THIS HERE.

NHTSA ID
11101580
Incident
Feb 2, 2018
Mileage
88,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 28, 2017

AT APPROXIMATELY 150,000 MY LEXUS RX 300 SEIZED AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE/TURNOVER. OBVIOUSLY, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $4,000. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS MODEL OF LEXUS REPEATEDLY HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. I'M WONDERING WHY THE NHTSA DOES NOT ISSUE A RECALL AT THIS POINT - AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE., SO THOSE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES CAN RECOUP SOME OF THE COST FOR THE FAILURES OF THIS TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
11040687
Incident
Sep 8, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 31, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD A LOT OF CONDENSATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PROVIDED MINIMUM VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10948727
Incident
Apr 16, 2014
Mileage
56,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 2, 2016

MY 2000 LEXUS RX300 HAD AN UNEXPLAINED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHERE THE VEHICLE ALMOST KILLED ME AND MY SON. I WAS DRIVING RESIDENTIAL BACKROADS BY MY HOUSE, ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO GET UP A HILL AND THAT'S WHEN IT TOOK OFF. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE, THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS UNRESPONSIVE, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT OUT FOR GOOD MEASURE, NOTHING WORKED, IT KEPT ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE UNTIL I FINALLY SLAMMED IT THROUGH GEARS TO "PARK" TO GET IT TO A STOP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EVEN TOLD ME WHEN IT STARTED THE CAR TO GET IT UP ON THE TRUCK, AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR OVER 12 HOURS, IT WAS STILL RED LINING THE ENGINE, AND EVEN LURCHED FORWARD BUT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN PARK, IT DIDN'T CRASH INTO THE BACK OF THE TOW TRUCK. LEXUS INVESTIGATED THE CAR AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME WHY IT HAPPENED. I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE - ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HISTORY OF HAVING SUA PROBLEMS. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10929614
Incident
Apr 26, 2012
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 2, 2016

BAD TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ID
10929512
Incident
Nov 28, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2016

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY RX300 JUST GAVE OUT. IT WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED - THE FLUID LEVELS WERE CHECKED AND HAD A MAJOR OVERHAUL ON IT BEFORE I GAVE IT TO MY DAUGHTER WHO GOES TO SCHOOL IN HOUSTON, WHERE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. SHE ONLY USES IT FOR LOCAL COMMUTE - NOT LONG DISTANCE DRIVING. THE INTENT WAS TO GIVE HER A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE! IT I HAVE ABOUT 149000 MILES ON IT. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS ENORMOUS - MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. I DEMAND BETTER QUALITY FOR A LUXURY VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I NOW SEE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY ARE WE ALLOWING SUCH LEMONS ON OUR STREETS!

NHTSA ID
10889261
Incident
Jul 21, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 2016

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED SLIPPING IT WAS GETTING OUT GEAR NOW IT MOVES ON LOW GEAR NO DRIVE REVERSE OR 2ND ONLY LOW GEAR

NHTSA ID
10881916
Incident
May 30, 2015
Mileage
40 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

Lexus PRO19-02 -

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

L-SB-0002-20 Rev

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT

TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.

L-SB-0002-20 Rev

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT

TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty if applicable. Cases that are determined to be a ?seep? should be documented on the repair order and inspected at the next service interval. Follow the Repair Information in this bulletin to determine if the concern in question is a fluid leak or fluid seep and review the Repair Procedure section to address this condition.

Lexus Safety Re

EQUIPMENT

Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

L-SB-0179-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0008-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus RX300 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003253053.5
2002885056.3
20011695053.0
2000Viewing2165156.5
19992217160.3
1998301—
1997001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.