2000 Lexus RX300: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 216 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (62% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2018
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2017
“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!”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Told before purchasing that transmission was rebuilt. Not shifting properly. I was told it was an electrical issue power train. I also am not visible to most drivers in the we morning dusk dark hours of the days due to lighting. Pulled over by law enforcement a few times in regards to the lights. One owner before me and did not get any recalls done. I called lexus @ grapevine tx and they told me there were no recalls on my truck. There h e been and they need to be done asap. I have a disabled child and can not jeopardize the safety of my child. I need help getting this matter taken care of asap. Thank you!”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. While parking the vehicle, the gear shift failed to reverse the vehicle without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2016
“Shifter lever moves freely (and loosely) but doesn't shift the transmission into any gear. This happened in a publix parking lot after backing out of a parking space and attempting to put the vehicle into drive. Aaa was called and the rx300 had to be loaded onto a flat bed and brought to a service center.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. While the vehicle was undergoing regular maintenance, the mechanic noticed metal shaving in the transmission pan. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2015
“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”Owner report · Power Train · May 2015
“Transmission stop working when I was driving at 40 miles for hour no drive or reverse, I turn off the engine and on again , work for few miles and had same problem . I call a tow truck. I try again at home and now transmission doesn't work and I see smoke from the transmission dipstick coming out. I check online and many people had the same problems with the lexus rx 300. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2015
“Steering locked while vehicle was in motion. Turning right, my vehicle steering wheel locked while in motion and would not allow me to straighten out. This almost caused me to drive off the road, but thankfully slamming on the brakes, I stopped before doing so. Upon reading reviews, other lexus rx-300 drivers have had this same occurrence. This malfunction could cause major injury or death. I am requesting the NHTSA immediately conduct a review of these vehicles and force lexus to perform a mandatory recall before more people are injured or killed. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RX300 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Lexus RX300 reliable?
NHTSA has 216 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Lexus RX300. The most complained-about area is power train (62% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Lexus RX300 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 104,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Lexus RX300 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.