2000 Lexus RX300 recalls & problems

5 recalls 216 complaints 1 investigation

5recalls
216owner complaints
16crashes reported
0fires reported
17 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2000 Lexus RX300 and 216 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is power train (140 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (20). NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2000 Lexus RX300 recalls

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

Problem: 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.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

42,540 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

Problem: 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.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Visibility · NHTSA 08E020000 · Mar 6, 2008

Problem: 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.

Risk: The purpose of this standard is to reduce injuries resulting from impact to glazing surfaces.

Fix: 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.

931 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E049000 · May 24, 2006

Problem: 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.

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

27,176 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

Problem: 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.

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

61,944 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2000 Lexus RX300 problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train 140
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 20
001
Vehicle Speed Control 14
703
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 9
000
Electrical System 7
000
Engine 6
100
Exterior Lighting 6
101
Suspension 5
301
Steering 5
100
Latches/Locks/Linkages 5
000
Visibility 4
104
Structure 4
100
Seat Belts 4
304
Equipment 3
201
Tires 3
000
Unknown or Other 3
000
Service Brakes 2
100
Fuel System, Other 2
000
Service Brakes, Air 1
101
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1
000
Child Seat 1
000
Air Bags 1
101

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Power Train · Oct 6, 2018 · 240,000 miles · CA

Transmission failed due to bad design. Many others have same failures. Need recall.

Power Train · Jun 13, 2018 · 88,000 miles · AL

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…

Power Train · Oct 28, 2017 · 150,000 miles · NJ

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.…

Exterior Lighting · Jan 31, 2017 · 56,000 miles · NJ

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.…

Engine · Dec 2, 2016 · WA

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…

Engine · Dec 2, 2016 · VA

Bad transmission

Power Train · Dec 2, 2016 · VA

Bad transmission

Power Train · Dec 2, 2016 · WA

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…

Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2, 2016 · WA

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…

Power Train · Jul 28, 2016 · AL

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…

Unknown or Other · Jun 30, 2016 · 40 miles · NY

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

Power Train · Jun 30, 2016 · 40 miles · NY

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

Other Lexus RX300 years

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 Lexus RX300 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2000 Lexus RX300, the most recent one (09E025000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Lexus RX300?

Based on 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are power train (140), engine and engine cooling (20), vehicle speed control (14).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2000 Lexus RX300?

Owners reported 16 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2000 Lexus RX300?

NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently DP02004: Engine seizure.