2002 Lexus RX300 Owner Complaints

SUDDENLY MY GEARS BEGAN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, REVERSE AND INTO !ST AND 2ND GEAR WITHOUT LOCKING INTO ANY OF THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY. MY CAR ONLY MOVES FORWARD NO MATTER WHICH GEAR IT'S IN, INCLUDING REVERSE. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT STILL KEEPS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER TO PARK AND STOP, I HAVE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE (UNKNOWN) IT JUST SUDDENLY HAPPENED ON A TOLL ROAD AT THE PAY STATION. ALSO, MY INTERNAL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN I OPEN ANY DOOR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK LIGHTS. MY RADIO DOES NOT CHANGE STATIONS AND KNOB DOES NOTHING, RECEPTION IS POOR & COMES AND GOES. I CANNOT GET ANY AM STATIONS.

NHTSA ID

11144280

Incident

Oct 30, 2018

Mileage

142,128 mi

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 ID

11140719

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPENED ON THEIR OWN!!! THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. CAR WAS PARKED AND LEFT OVERNIGHT LOCKED AND EMPTY.

NHTSA ID

11092486

Incident

May 7, 2018

Mileage

92,000 mi

AT 6:30 PM GOING 45 MPH TO MALL AND THE ROAD WAS WET APPLY BRAKE AND THEN CAR START SPINNING WHILE ABS MAKING LOTS OF SOUND.

NHTSA ID

11076732

Incident

Jan 5, 2018

Mileage

164,700 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TILL I HEARD GRINDING NOISE THEN I REALIZED CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE THEN IT TOWED AWAY TO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID

11076721

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

165,000 mi

I HAVE FOR YEARS EXPERIENCED A CHALLENGE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. I HAVE TRIED FOR YEARS TO GET THESE LIGHTS TO REMAIN OFF, BUT WITH EVERY REPAIR, IT COMES BACK ON. I BASICALLY RIDE WITH THESE LIGHTS ON ALMOST ALWAYS FOR YEARS. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I FOUND A WEEK OR TWO AGO, A LETTER FROM LEXUS CONCERNING THIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND I WONDER CAN I STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FOR THIS ABNORMALITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID

11058124

Incident

Oct 20, 2007

Mileage

87,000 mi

I ENTERED PARKING LOT AND PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BARELY GOING. I WAS ALMOST ALL THE WAY INTO SPOT WHEN MY CAR LUNGED UP WITH EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS. I WENT INTO SMALL TREE, DROVE OVER ANOTHER CAR, CAR FLIPPED ON SIDE, THEN FLIPPED OVER ON ROOF AND INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR. ENGINE OVERTOOK THE BRAKES. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER WITH CAR EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED BY LEXUS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR FELT THIS CAR LIKE THIS BEFORE.

NHTSA ID

11047465

Incident

Nov 10, 2017

Mileage

197,500 mi

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 ID

11010984

Incident

Jul 3, 2011

Mileage

65,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, LEXUS TRANSMISSION IS MESSING UP NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THERE IS A BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION MESSING UP AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME. SO PLEASE I ASK YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TRY TO HELP THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11010694

Incident

Jan 17, 2017

WHEN I SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL/CREEP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHEN THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN THE SUV IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE SUV IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AS THE SUV WOULD ROLL/CREEP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND RESULTING IN BODILY HARM. TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE I NOW MAKE SURE THAT THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN WHEN I SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IF MY FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVE THE SUV AND DO NOT PUT THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION AND HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN THE VEHICLE WILL/CREEP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS IF THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LEXUS DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT COME UNDER A 2002 LEXUS RX 300 SUV RECALL. THE LEXUS SERVICE CONSULTANT GAVE ME A QUOTE ON 10-10-2017 FOR $739.89 PLUS THE COST TO RE-CORE A AAA LOCK AND KEY. THIS WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE IGNITION HOUSING, R&R, PART # LE45280-33130, DESCRIPTION: BRACKET ASSY, STEERI. I WOULD LIKE YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10947118

Incident

Dec 12, 2016

Mileage

92,500 mi

MY LEXUS HEADLIGHT LENSES BECOME SCRATCHED WHICH DIMINISHES DISTANCE ILLUMINATED AND BRIGHTNESS OF ILLUMINATION. OBJECTS ON THE ROAD ARE NOT VISIBLE AS QUICKLY OR AS CLEARLY AS THEY ARE WITH CLEAR (UNSCRATCHED) LENSES. THESE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC LENSES THAT ARE SCRATCHED UP BY PARTICLES OF THE ROAD MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PEOPLE, ANIMALS, OBJECTS AND VEHICLES BEING HIT AT NIGHT. THE DEALERS TELL ME TO HAVE TO LENSES BUFFED AND PAY FOR THAT MYSELF. WHEN THE SCRATCHES ARE FIRST BUFFED OUT, I HAVE IMPROVED SAFETY AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE ILLUMINATION IS BRIGHTER AND VISIBILITY DISTANCE IS GREATER. THE COST OF REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS IS $851 EACH FOR MY VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS MY EXISTING HEADLIGHT. MY VEHICLE IS 14 YEARS OLD, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY MY CAR COMPANY TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT IN ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THERE IS A SERIOUS NEED TO RETURN TO GLASS HEADLIGHTS SINCE THEY DON'T SCRATCH AND LAST, IN MOST CASES, THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD MY HEADLIGHTS BUFFED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE BUFFING LASTS A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME WITH EACH BUFFING. OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS WITH THESE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS ARE FORD, TOYOTA, HYUNDAI, BMW, HONDA, ACURA, AND CHEVY. PLASTIC LENSES ARE DEFECTIVE PARTS FOR FRONT HEADLIGHTS. THEY NEED TO BE BANNED AND GLASS HEADLIGHTS RESTORED. THE CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE ENDANGERING THEIR CUSTOMERS' LIVES WITH THIS PART. I FEEL A RECALL IS IN ORDER AND THAT OWNERS OF THE CARS WITH THESE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT LENSES SHOULD RECEIVE FREE BUFFING AND FREE HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENTS UNTIL THE MANUFACTURERS CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH A LENS THAT WILL REMAIN CLEAR. DATE ENTERED FOR "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?" IS SIMPLY THE DATE I TOOK THE PHOTOS. PROBLEM IS ONGOING NOT SINGLE INCIDENT. LET ME KNOW IF I DID NOT ADD THE DOCUMENTATION CORRECTLY. I WILL TRY AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

10899368

Incident

Aug 29, 2016

DRIVING TO SCHOOL DIE SHIFT ....SHOP SAYS AUTO TRANSMISSION DEAD ...COST $3500....GOOD MAINTAINED SERVICES.....ALSO CRAZY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM....MUST RECALL AUTO TRANSMISSIONS

NHTSA ID

10838102

Incident

Feb 24, 2016

Mileage

27 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO WORK AND LAGS AT FIRST AND SECOND GEAR.

NHTSA ID

10837607

Incident

Feb 22, 2016

Mileage

111,400 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ASC LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW ARE CONSTANTLY ON

NHTSA ID

10721153

Incident

May 2, 2014

Mileage

89,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND E- SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10677025

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

198,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING WITH CLIENT FRIENDS TO THE RITZ CARLTON IN RANCHO MIRAGE FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT WHEN THE GAS WAS STEPPED ON THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WE MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT WHICH TIME WE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE ALL IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR FEARING THAT THE GAS TANK WOULD EXPLODE. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IN TIME TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BEFORE THE GAS TANK COULD EXPLODE. THE WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT...THE TIRES EXPLODED AND THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE POLICE IMPOUND LOT AND BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH LEXUS. IT SEEMS APPARENT TO US THAT THIS IS A GAS LEAK ISSUE AS THE UNDER-CARRIAGE OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. CONSIDERING THAT LEXUS HAS RECALLED 423,000 CARS FOR A GAS LEAK PROBLEM (OURS WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST) IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN A FIRE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AND TRAUMATIC EVENT AND WE ALL FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED IT WITH NO INJURIES....EXCEPT SHATTERED NERVES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10661338

Incident

Nov 27, 2014

Mileage

140,478 mi

SUBJECT: SUDDEN ACCELERATION LEXUS 2002--NEAR FATAL CRASH COMMENTS: ON 3.16.2012 AT 8 :30 AM I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. THE CAR WAS STOPPING IN A PARKING SPACE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STARTING REVVING UP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED THAT THE CAR JUMPED OVER THE PARKING BARRICADE AND CABLES, WENT AIRBORN AND CRASH LANDED AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE GARAGE ON THE LEVEL BELOW. IF IT HAD LANDED 12 INCHES FURTHER, IT WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE 6TH STORY OF THE PARKING GARAGE. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND PRIOR TO THIS, THE CAR WAS ALMOST STOPPED. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 8 YEARS WITH ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. I ALWAYS DO THE RECOMMENDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CAR WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588386

Incident

Mar 16, 2012

Mileage

128,591 mi

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN FREEWAY (HIGHWAY 101 IN BAY AREA, CA) AROUND 8:00PM. THE CAR WAS AT A SPEED OF ~60 MILES/HR. THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. MY WIFE EXITED 101 IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND THAT SHE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO FULLY STOP EVEN THOUGH SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE FULLY. THE CAR WAS STILL IDLING FULL THROTTLE AFTER MY WIFE PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THEN MY WIFE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO LEXUS DEALER SERVICE. THE DEALER'S ADVISOR TOLD ME HE HAS NOT SEEN THIS KIND OF CASE BEFORE AND HE HAS TO TALK TO HIS MANAGER; UNFORTUNATELY HIS MANAGER IS NOT AVAILABLE AND HE WILL HAVE HIS MANAGER CALL ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10556921

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

Mileage

128,000 mi

WHILE INSTALLING WINTER TIRES WE NOTICED THE INNER BEAD ON THE RIMS SEPARATING. THE CHROME IS DELAMINATING TO THE POINT WHERE ONE TIRE WILL NO LONGER HOLD AIR, OTHER RIMS ARE ALSO DELAMINATING BUT AT THIS POINT THEY STILL HOLD AIR. THE DELAMINATION OCCURS ON THE INNER BEAD SO IT IS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL THE TIRE IS REMOVED. A TIRE SHOP TOLD US THE CHROME RIM IS NEXT TO THE BRAKE ROTOR AND THE HEAT CAUSES THE CHROME TO SEPARATE, HE WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REINSTALLING THE WHEEL SINCE THE TIRE BEAD COUD SEPARATE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR COULD EQUAL A BLOWOUT. THE TIRES ARE MICHELLIN AND STILL IN GOOD SHAPE, WE INSTALLED WINTER TIRES ON STEEL RIMS BUT CANNOT PUT THE CHROME RIMS BACK ON. WE WERE TOLD BY TIRE SHOPS THAT LOOKED AT THE RIMS THAT THAT SEEMS RO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE RIMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511676

Incident

May 1, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 48,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10477211

Incident

Sep 14, 2012

Mileage

48,000 mi

TL* 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 ID

10471942

Incident

Aug 21, 2012

Mileage

290,000 mi

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONT IMPACT WITH A TREE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10454446

Incident

Apr 7, 2012

I'M WRITING TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. IT STARTED AWHILE AGO, I HEARD A WHINING NOISE & HESITATION,HAD LEXUS CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID & DOCUMENTED IN MY PROFILE IT WAS MY TIRE TREADS. I GOT THE BEST GOODYEAR TIRES FOR THAT VEHICLE AT THE TIME FORTERA'S. NOISE RATING I BELIEVE IS 8 OUT OF 10 (10 BEING QUIETEST). I LET IT GO & HAD MANY MORE OIL CHANGES SINCE THEN & NO MENTION OF ANY FLUIDS NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEALER SERVICED WHEREVER I LIVED. PAST 4YRS BEEN @ THOMPSON LEXUS,50 SWAMP ROAD,DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902. VIN:[XXX]. I CHANGE MY OIL RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 8WKS OR SO (MY OIL IS EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN LIKE A NEW ENGINE) NOTHING WAS EVER SAID ABOUT MY FLUIDS. NONE OF MY PAPERWORK SHOWS RECOMMENDATIONS OF ANY FLUIDS NOR WERE THERE ANY VERBAL RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT FLUID CHANGES.THEY DID RECOMMEND A TIMING BELT WHICH I DID BUT THEY ALSO STATED THAT I SHOULD HAVE MY WATER PUMP DONE AS WELL EVEN THOUGH NOTHING IS/WAS WRONG WITH IT. SO, I DID WHAT THEY SAID. BUT THINGS GOT WORSE. USUALLY WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN &/OR MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION & IM PULLING OUT INTO INTERSECTION, THE RPMS TEND TO GO UP BUT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE/RESPOND WITH THE PRESSING OF THE GAS PEDAL. WITH THIS ONGOING INTERMITTENT ACCELERATION RESPONSE, IM SCARED BUT I NEED THE CAR TO GET FAMILY AROUND. I HAD ANOTHER OIL CHANGE & I TOLD THEM TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY ADVISED ME THE WHINING WAS THE TRANSMISSION & LEXUS DEALERSHIP DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT THE TRANS OIL TO BE CHANGED & IT IS A WASTE OF MY $100. I GOT IT VERBALLY & IN WRITING ON MY SERVICE RECEIPT. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE AT HAND (BASED ON RESEARCH) IS THE TRANSMISSION & DIRECTLY RELATED TO WORKMANSHIP (POOR DESIGN) & ALSO THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, OF TECHNICIANS, TO CHECK FLUIDS & RECOMMEND CHANGING CERTAIN FLUIDS AT CERTAIN TIMES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10450857

Incident

Aug 20, 2011

Mileage

14,200 mi

WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING VERY LOUD NOISE AND THEN GOT TOTALLY STUCK AND VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO LOAD AND ESPECIALLY UNLOAD THE CAR FROM THE FLATBED TRUCK. MY MECHANIC EVALUATED THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS TOTALLY BLACK. OF NOTE, THE MANUFACTURER'S STICKER ON THE TRANSMISSION SPECIFICALLY INDICATED NOT TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450158

Incident

Oct 4, 2011

Mileage

133,077 mi

COMPLETE FAILURE/BREAKDOWN OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION POWERTRAIN. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID

10445897

Incident

Jan 27, 2012

Mileage

135,000 mi