2002 Lexus RX300

88 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.

1. Filed Oct 31, 2018Failure Oct 30, 2018142,128 milesLA Porte, TXExterior lighting, Power train, Unknown or other

   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 complaint 11144280
2. Filed Oct 16, 2018Failure Oct 1, 2018110,000 milesVA, VAAir bags, Seats

   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 complaint 11140719
3. Filed May 8, 2018Failure May 7, 201892,000 milesSaint Michaels, MDElectrical system

   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 complaint 11092486
4. Filed Mar 7, 2018Failure Jan 5, 2018164,700 milesAustin, TXService brakes

   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 complaint 11076732
5. Filed Mar 7, 2018Failure Mar 1, 2018165,000 milesAustin, TXPower train

   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 complaint 11076721
6. Filed Jan 2, 2018Failure Oct 20, 200787,000 milesPikesville, MDElectronic stability control (esc)

   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 complaint 11058124
7. Filed Nov 20, 2017Failure Nov 10, 2017197,500 milesNorwood, MAVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

   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 complaint 11047465
8. Filed Jul 27, 2017Failure Jul 3, 201165,000 milesCommerce TWP, MIEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

   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 complaint 11010984
9. Filed Jul 26, 2017Failure Jan 17, 2017Weirton, WVPower train

   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 complaint 11010694
10. Filed Jan 23, 2017Failure Dec 12, 201692,500 milesChicago, ILUnknown or other

    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 complaint 10947118
11. Filed Aug 29, 2016Failure Aug 29, 2016Seal Beach, CAUnknown or other

    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 complaint 10899368
12. Filed Feb 25, 2016Failure Feb 24, 201627 milesHouston, TXElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Power train

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

    NHTSA complaint 10838102
13. Filed Feb 22, 2016Failure Feb 22, 2016111,400 milesAntelope, CAPower train

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

    NHTSA complaint 10837607
14. Filed May 23, 2015Failure May 2, 201489,000 milesPort Charlotte, FLElectrical system

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

    NHTSA complaint 10721153
15. Filed Jan 21, 2015Failure Jan 1, 2015198,000 milesReno, NVPower train

    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 complaint 10677025
16. Filed Nov 30, 2014Failure Nov 27, 2014140,478 milesIndian Wells, CAFuel/propulsion systemFire

    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 complaint 10661338
17. Filed May 14, 2014Failure Mar 16, 2012128,591 milesTimonium, MDVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

    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 complaint 10588386
18. Filed Dec 21, 2013Failure Dec 20, 2013128,000 milesPalo Alto, CAVehicle speed control

    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 complaint 10556921
19. Filed May 13, 2013Failure May 1, 2013120,000 milesSpokane, WAWheels

    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 complaint 10511676
20. Filed Sep 26, 2012Failure Sep 14, 201248,000 milesWoodland Hills, CAPower train

    CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 48,000 MILES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10477211