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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Lexus RX300 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

25 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 25 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting624.0%
Engine operation14.0%
Braking behavior14.0%

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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
5
Vehicle Speed Control
5
Air Bags
3
Electrical System
2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Equipment
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train:Automatic Transmission5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Air Bags3
Electrical System2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine2
Equipment2
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch1

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Equipment: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 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.

2002
1
2003
3
2004
1
2005
1
2006
2
2007
1
2009
4
2010
3
2011
2
2012
1
2014
1
2015
2
2016
1
2017
1
2022
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20021
20033
20041
20051
20062
20071
20094
20103
20112
20121
20141
20152
20161
20171
20221

2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10254835 · 2009-01-13 (January 13, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,922.40. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEALER; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,926 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 79,000. UPDATED 3/9/09 *CN THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 78,926 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254835 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10260025 · 2009-02-26 (February 26, 2009)

I HAVE A 2003 LEXUS RX300 WITH 134,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 2/20/09. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS OF A SLIGHT WHINE, THREE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THEY RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS AND IT CAME BACK WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT 48,000 MILES IN 2006. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED TWICE AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS. IT WAS DUE FOR A 3RD SERVICE. INTERNET BLOGS REPORT THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AFTER…

Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260025 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10195906 · 2007-07-09 (July 9, 2007)

2003 LEXUS RX300 VEHICLE STALLED. REPLACE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE TWICE**CW** THE CONSUMER ALSO REFERENCED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAD THE SAME STALLING ISSUE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10195906 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10935552 · 2016-12-15 (December 15, 2016)

I OWN A 2003 LEXUS RX300. AFTER I HAD CAME FROM A COMPLETED STOP WHILE DEPRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO LOCK WITH THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE AV PUMP FAILED OR THAT IT MAYBE SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 320,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935552 at NHTSA ↗