1999 Lexus RX300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
206 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
103,836 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 148 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 110 of 206 complaints (53.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 120 | 58.3% |
| Braking behavior | 19 | 9.2% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 110 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 110; Power Train: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Air Bags: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Seat Belts: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 37 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 60 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 37; 100,000 to 149,999: 60; 150,000 and above: 22
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (60). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 17 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 22 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 17; 2001: 9; 2002: 6; 2003: 7; 2004: 11; 2005: 10; 2006: 10; 2007: 22; 2008: 24; 2009: 28; 2010: 27; 2011: 13; 2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 5; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 120 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014038 · 2003-04-06 (April 6, 2003)
I OWN 1999 LEXUS RX300, SINCE FEBRUARY OF THE LAST YEAR, I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR'S ENGINE (IT HAS SLUDGE), TRANSMISSION, EMISSION SYSTEM, AND OVER USE OF GAS PER MILE. FIRST PROBLEM STARTED DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF MY OWNERSHIP AND SINCE THAT TIME THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT WEEKS IN AUTO REPAIR SHOPS. LEXUS DEALER AND OTHERS CHARGED ME LAVISH FEES BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEMS AND LEXUS DEALERS EVEN NEVER ADMITTED THAT SERIOUS PROBLEMS EXISTED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030889 · 2003-08-06 (August 6, 2003)
THERE IS A SHUDDER OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 RPM'S. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE. I BOUGHT IT WITH 65,570 MI. THE DEALER REPLACED DRIVE SHAFT TO REAR WHEELS AND FRONT AXLE(S). THE PROBLEM REMAINS AND IS A NUISANCE REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE TEMPERATURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053229 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER THEY'VE BEEN TAKEN OFF, OR DURING SUDDEN BRAKING. DEALER REPLACED BOTH UNITS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096412 · 2004-10-26 (October 26, 2004)
LEXUS RX300-HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE BEGINNING 1999-NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH CAR EXCEPT NORMAL TUNE UPS AND NEW BRAKES-HOWEVER, THAT ALL CHANGED SEPTEMBER 2004. YES, I'VE HAD THE CAR 6 SIX YEARS BUT WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHICH IS CONSIDERED LOW MILEAGE USE. WHILE TRAVELING TO SAN DIEGO TO TAKE MY GRANDDAUGHTER BACK HOME FROM MY CURRENT HOME AT THE TIME IN ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA MY AUTO WHILE ON THE I-5 JUST COMPLETELY DROPPED OUT OF GEAR-I HAD ENOUGH SPEED GOING THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND CAME TO A STOP AT THE CAMP PE…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174186 · 2006-11-24 (November 24, 2006)
I OWN A 99 RX300 AWD. PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP CORPORATION THAT ALSO OWNED LEXUS OF SERRAMONTE IN SF BAY AREA AT 68K MILES. THE VEHICLE APPARENTLY HAD ALL SERVICES DONE ON TIME AS MY DEALER NOTED AND WAS SERVICED AT THEIR FACILITY SINCE THE VEHICLE LEFT THEIR DEALER LOT. SO THE CAR WAS LOCALLY OWNED AND REPAIRED. AT 74K MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP WHERE I FOUND THE CAR TO BE BELLOW 20% OF ITS TEMPERATURE THE CAR WILL EITHER NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH OR OVER DRIVE. MY DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT THAT ONLY WOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10214070 · 2008-01-07 (January 7, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX-300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TEN MINUTES LATER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF JANUARY 7, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY LOOSE POWER.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177244 · 2006-12-28 (December 28, 2006)
THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 99 LEXUS RX300 AND WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE THE PROBLEM AS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD CONTACT ABOUT RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V01100. THE CONTACT CALLED DEALER AND GAVE THEM VIN ,AND SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL CAMPAIGNS. KB. *AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 78,920 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10569371 · 2014-03-14 (March 14, 2014)
THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2013- THE CAR GOES UP TO 35 MPHS AND THEN LOSES POWER AND THEN SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE. FIRST TIME IT WAS WORKED ON REPLACED BATTERY AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE COMPUTER. A YEAR LATER AT 136,000 MILES THE CAR MAKES ELECTRICAL NOISES AND HAS DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING ABOVE 3000 RPMS. WHEN BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND SOLENOID. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10569371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330520 · 2010-05-14 (May 14, 2010)
I HAVE A POPPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HOPE THAT THE STEERING IS NOT LOST FROM THIS POPPING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10330520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729048 · 2000-08-25 (August 25, 2000)
ENGINE STALLS AT IDLE, DEALER CLAIMS FROM HIGH OIL VISCOSITY DESPITE OIL BEING CHANGED EVERY 5000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ENGINE IS MOUNTED THAT IT RUNS HOT AND THAT ONLY CERTAIN OILS ARE RECCOMENDED. SAYS THAT QUAKER STATE OIL, WHICH WE USED, SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES SINCE IT IS NOT "AS GOOD" AS THE OIL THEY USE AT THE DEALER. THIS IS NOT SUGGESTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND I WOULD SUSPECT POOR ENGINE DESIGN THAT ALLOWS DEVELOPMENT OF EXCESSIVE HEAT. SECONDLY, THE GAS TANK SENSOR FAILED- GAS GAUGE RAN HALF WHEN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729048 at NHTSA ↗