2001 Lexus RX300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
169 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
108,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 152 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 87 of 169 complaints (51.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 121 | 71.6% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
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 | 87 |
| Power Train | 35 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 87; Power Train: 35; Vehicle Speed Control: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Air Bags: 6; Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 38 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 75 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 38; 100,000 to 149,999: 75; 150,000 and above: 17
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (75). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 8; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 9; 2008: 27; 2009: 33; 2010: 22; 2011: 18; 2012: 9; 2013: 3; 2014: 9; 2015: 10; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 121 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 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 10002800 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
2001 LEXUS RX300, 30DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP, VEHICLE WARMED UP UNTIL HEATED SEATS WORKED, DROVE VEHICLE ABOUT 80 YARDS FORWARD, VEHICLE PUT INTO REVERSE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURED AT FULL THROTTLE, BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE POSITION WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION, RPM NEEDLE AT REDLINE 8000RPM, VEHICLE FINALLY BROUGHT TO SCREECHING AND SHAKING STOP WHEN SHIFTED INTO PARK. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, WHEN STARTED AGAIN, RMP NEEDLE JUMPED UP TO REDLINE AGAIN AND STAYED THERE. THIS REPEATED ABOUT 5 TIMES. ACCELERATION WAS STUCK AT FUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161652 · 2006-07-06 (July 6, 2006)
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AT NIGHT WITH MYSELF, MY HUSBAND AND OUR 8 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. HAD TO GET THE HIGHWAY PATROL TO FOLLOW US TO AN EXIT. THIS CAR HAD 98000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND ACCORDING TO ALL MY INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON, KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE LEXUS RX300 THAT THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS. ITS A SAFETY HAZARD. LEXUS OF COURSE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. COST 3600.00 IN REPAIRS. NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION GO OUT THIS EARLY, ACTUALLY NEVER HAD ONE GO OUT PERIOD ON CARS WITH MANY MOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045408 · 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS ARE WARPED AT ONLY 28000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196074 · 2007-07-11 (July 11, 2007)
AFTER 101,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2001 LEXUS RX300 SIMPLY WENT OUT. I COULD NOT GO IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I PARKED IN A STALL AT MY SON'S PRESCHOOL AND AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT. AT FIRST THE CARD DIDN'T MOVE, THEN A QUICK JOLT AND A CLANKING NOISE AND THAT WAS IT. I HAVE REGULARLY SERVICED THE CAR, AND JUST CLEANED THE TRANSMISSION NOT MORE THAT 2 MONTHS AGO. THAT WAS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FLUSH I HAD DONE SINCE 2001. MY FATHER OWNS A REPAIR SHOP SO MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT UP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 101,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264500 · 2009-04-08 (April 8, 2009)
ACTUALLY, THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO WARNING. ON SATURDAY, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SEEMED TO GET STUCK IN NEUTRAL, AND THEN LURCH FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES, AND EACH TIME WAS SOMEWHAT MORE EXAGGERATED, SO MUCH SO, THAT I ATTEMPTED TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT A STALL. BY THE THIRD TIME, THE CAR SOUNDED AS IF I WAS DRAGGING SOMETHING UNDERNEATH. I RETURNED HOME SAFELY, BUT WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO CHECK THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT EVEN SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL! AAA CAME TO TOW THE CAR AND THE REAR WHEELS SEEMED…
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323088 · 2010-03-26 (March 26, 2010)
2001 LEXUS 300RX WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR FROM OIL. ALSO CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BATTERY WILL DIE IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR A WEEK OR MORE. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10323088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744711 · 2001-04-29 (April 29, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 15MPH AFTER STARTING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THE PAST 26 HOURS AND WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND WAS ABOUT 4-5 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ODOR JUST PRIOR TO OBSERVING THE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10422398 · 2011-08-29 (August 29, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS HER BREAST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NEITHER THE DEALER, NOR THE MANUFACTURER, WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610089 · 2014-07-12 (July 12, 2014)
I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALER WHEN PURCHASE. I TOLD THE REPAIR PERSON THAT THERE WAS A NOISE/ROARING COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. FOR THIS INSPECTION I PAID OVER $300.00. NOW THE NOISE IS BACK AND IT IS MUCH LOUDER AND IT IS CONSTANT.FROM 45MPH AND HIGHER.THE NOISE OCCURS WHEN I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT AND WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT.WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT THE NOISE STOPS. I SOUND LIKE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001255 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HIT A PIECE OF RUBBER TIRE THAT HAD FLEW OFF A TRUCK, MINUTES LATER THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER ON THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK, CONSUMER STATED THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED JUST FROM HITTING A PIECE OF RUBBER.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001255 at NHTSA ↗