Lexus RX300 engine problems
25 complaint narratives mention engine terms.
Key facts
703 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
103,840 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 556 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Engine operation evidence
25 of 703 complaints match this topic (3.6%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
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 10251716 · 2008-12-14 (December 14, 2008)
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 LEXUS RX300. I HAVE NOTICE VIA THE INTERNET THAT THESE ARE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING. THESE ARE THE INCIDENCES THAT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH: * DEBRIS CAN GET INTO THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THAT ALLOWS AIR INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE A LOW IDLE SPEED, OR STALL WHEN IT IS COLD. (THIS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2004. LEXUS EVENTUALLY REPLACED MY ENGINE IN 2005.) * SLUDGE CAN BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. I ROUTINELY HAVE TO HAVE THE SLUDGE CLEANE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10251716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257333 · 2009-02-03 (February 3, 2009)
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1999 LEXUS RX300 FAILED. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE FULL FAILURE OCCURRED. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STALLED AND WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS LOOKS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT WILL COST ME $5000 TO REPAIR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325730 · 2010-04-14 (April 14, 2010)
1999 LEXUS RX 300 VEHICLE 99,000 MILES IN VERY GOOD REPAIR SUDDENLY STALLS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY. NO PREVIOUS WARNING. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO "COAST" OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A SAFE AREA TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NO LONGER MOVE, TRANSMISSION WAS REPORTED TO BE DEAD BY TWO MECHANICS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MODEL THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURES SOME CAUSING ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. NEITHER WAS THE CASE WITH MY INCIDENT BUT IT IS A DISTURBING TREND. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325730 at NHTSA ↗