2003 Lexus RX300: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the HVAC system was inoperable. Additionally, the VSC and check engine warning lights were illuminated while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed at an AutoZone with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2022
“Airbag light stays on when car is running and when I had it checked out the mechanic said it could inflate at any time. Don't have the money in budget to have done right now.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Had car in driveway unused for month or two. Car seemed to be idling at higher than usual speed after starting (@2300 rpm). Vehicle jerked a bit at each stop sign as if problem with transmission. Took vehicle on road at 35 to 40 mph, took foot off gas and vehicle kept accelerating at a modest pace to above 50. Glanced at floormat (not touching accelerator), put car in neutral. Engine revved to high rpm than came back to normal. Put back in gear and drove short distance home. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2014
“Air bag "problem" warning light came on intermittently. Dealer stated that if the light was on, the air bags would not deploy in a crash. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2014
“During normal driving, with no signs of failure, the vehicle suddenly would lose power when pressed on gas, it acted as if it were in neutral---engine revs up, but car does not move. Then when switched to second gear or l, transmission still would not engage. Had it towed to a local transmission shop, it turned out to be the planetary gear broke. Searched online lexus forum, found out very many people reported the same failure in transmission. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2011
“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”Owner report · Power Train · May 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. While driving 10 mph out of the parking lot the vehicle accelerated and he lost control. As he swerved the vehicle he hit three small trees, a wooden fence, and a brick wall before the vehicle stopped. The ambulance and police department came because he was trapped in the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital for injures to his lower back. The vehicle was destroyed. There is a police report if needed. The insurance company was notified. The dealer nor manufacturer have not been called. The failure mileage was 14,070. Updated 05/10/10 *bf the vehicle was declared a loss. Updated 05/17/10.*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2009
“My wife drove the vehicle to work. She parked, turned the engine off, and removed the key while the shifter was in the neutral position. Thinking that it was in "park", she exited the vehicle and began to walk away. The vehicle rolled backward and pinned her right let in between its rear bumper and the bumper of another vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 2003 Lexus RX300 reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Lexus RX300. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2003 Lexus RX300 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.