2000 Lexus RX300

216 complaints on file, page 1 of 11.

1. Filed Oct 6, 2018Failure Oct 6, 2018240,000 milesCoronado, CAPower train

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

   NHTSA complaint 11138843
2. Filed Jun 13, 2018Failure Feb 2, 201888,000 milesBirmingham, ALPower train

   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 complaint 11101580
3. Filed Oct 28, 2017Failure Sep 8, 2017150,000 milesHackettstown, NJPower train

   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 complaint 11040687
4. Filed Jan 31, 2017Failure Apr 16, 201456,000 milesManalapan, NJExterior lighting

   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 complaint 10948727
5. Filed Dec 2, 2016Failure Apr 26, 2012Port Orchard, WAEngine, Power train, Vehicle speed control

   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 complaint 10929614
6. Filed Dec 2, 2016Failure Nov 28, 2016Manassas, VAEngine, Power train

   BAD TRANSMISSION

   NHTSA complaint 10929512
7. Filed Jul 28, 2016Failure Jul 21, 2016Huntsville, ALPower train

   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 complaint 10889261
8. Filed Jun 30, 2016Failure May 30, 201540 milesBronx, NYPower train, Unknown or other

   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 complaint 10881916
9. Filed Jun 18, 2016Failure Jun 16, 2016Arlington, TXElectronic stability control (esc), Exterior lighting, Power train

   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!

   NHTSA complaint 10875007
10. Filed May 11, 2016Failure Apr 11, 2016190,000 milesWinchester, MAPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10864474
11. Filed Jan 14, 2016Failure Dec 31, 201524,000 milesHartland, MIPower train

    MY TRANSMISSION FAILED 5 YRS AGO WAS NOT TOLD WHY. THEY REPLACED IT BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. THEY PUT IN NEW PARTS EXCEPT FOR REMANUFACTURED CASING. NOW DECEMBER 2015 WITH ONLY 24,000 MILES ON IT SINCE I AM RETIRED, FAILED TO GO IN REVERSE OR GO INTO SECOND GEAR. HAVE NOTICED ONLINE ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSIONS OF LEXUS VEHICLES. NOW I AM TOLD BY LEXUS SPEACIALIST (800-255-3987) THEY ONLY WANT TO PAY FOR HALF OF PARTS AND WAS TOLD IT JUST FAILED WE DON'T KNOW WHY AND THEY REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE AGAIN UNLESS I WANT TO PAY FOR LABOR. IT SEEMS FROM ONLINE COMPLAINTS THAT THEY ARE MAKING OWNERS PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND OR REPLACEMENTS & LABOR. I HAVE NEVER FELT MORE UNSAFE IN A CAR WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH 55MPH SPEED LIMIT WHILE I COULD ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES AN HOUR. I HAD TO PAY $128 TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ON 01/04/2016 BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY DIAGNOSTICS FROM ANY ONE ELSE NOR PAY FOR TOW. I WAS DELAYED IN EFFORTS BECAUSE OF HOLIDAY. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10820328
12. Filed Dec 27, 2015Failure Dec 24, 201572,000 milesFort Myers, FLPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10816361
13. Filed Oct 8, 2015Failure Oct 8, 2015130,000 milesMarine DEL REY, CAPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10780859
14. Filed Apr 30, 2015Failure Apr 26, 2015122,000 milesEL Paso, TXPower train

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10713703
15. Filed Apr 16, 2015Failure Apr 16, 2015165,000 milesFremont, CAEngine, Service brakes, Vehicle speed controlCrash

    INCIDENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10706164
16. Filed Apr 3, 2015Failure Apr 10, 2012250,000 milesCanton, NCPower train

    TRANSMISSION IS BAD. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10703629
17. Filed Jan 3, 2015Failure Oct 10, 2014137,200 milesChicago, ILEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Vehicle speed control

    WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JERKS AND THEN CUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, EVEN AFTER SERVICING THE CAR AT LOCAL LEXUS DEALER. WHEN CAR IS PARKED, I NOTICED EXHAUST FUME SMELLS HEAVILY WITH GAS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10669802
18. Filed Nov 4, 2014Failure Nov 4, 2014Menifee, CASteering

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10652460
19. Filed Sep 9, 2014Failure Sep 6, 2014140,369 milesSAN Diego, CAPower train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,369. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ UPDATED 05/19/2015 *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10631881
20. Filed Jul 15, 2014Failure Jun 27, 2014125,000 milesYork, PAPower train, Steering, Vehicle speed control

    WITH LITTLE/NO WARNING, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (2WD) FAILED. ALL GEARS (P,R,N,D,2,1) WORKED LIKE NEUTRAL GEAR. IF THIS WOULD'VE OCCURRED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, MY CHILDREN AND I (LOCATED AT A SHARP TURN OVER A STEEP HILL) COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN LEXUS RX300'S FROM YEAR 1999-2002. HOW MANY EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURES DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A RECALL? *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10610819