FaultScore

1999 Lexus RX300 engine problems

31 of the 268 complaints about the 1999 Lexus RX300 are about the engine — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 119,183 miles.

C

31

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 7 22.6%
Gasoline 7 22.6%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 5 16.1%
Engine 4 12.9%
Exhaust System 2 6.5%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2 6.5%
Cooling System 2 6.5%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 3.2%
Emission Control 1 3.2%

Engine & Cooling across every Lexus RX300 year

1999 31 35.2%
2000 26 29.5%
2001 18 20.5%
2002 13 14.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 179,825 miles Lake Tappi, WA Fire 1 injured

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS ABOVE 85 MPH. DURING THE INCIDENT, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FLAMES CREATED A HOLE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (O'BRIEN LEXUS IN BELLEVUE WA) WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,825. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11075008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 230,000 miles Hesperia, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER. IF THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURE CODES APPEARED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES FOR SEVERAL CODES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE, BUT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER A REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

NHTSA complaint #10850076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,000 miles Meridian, ID Fire

ENGINE

ON JANUARY 17TH, 2016, I TOOK MY '99 LEXUS RX300 TO CHURCH, PARKED THE CAR, AND JOINED THE SUNDAY SERVICE. AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE (DURING WHICH TIME IT WAS NOT RUNNING OR IN USE), I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND WENT OUTSIDE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END WAS BURSTING IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, AND DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE; IT WAS SEEMINGLY RANDOM.

NHTSA complaint #10821349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 228,000 miles Newport News, VA

ENGINE

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 30 DAYS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS AN OIL PROBLEM. THE LIGHT WENT OFF AS I WAS LEAVING THE PLACE. A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I MADE TURNS, BLINK, THEN GO BACK OFF. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT CAME BACK ON STEADY, AND THE CAR STARTED TO JERK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WOULD JERK, THEN SLOWLY INCREASE SPEED. LAST SATURDAY, I APPLIED BRAKES, AND THE CAR ROLLED ANOTHER FEW FEET. HAD TO SWERVE LEFT TO KEEP FROM REAR ENDING A VEHICLE. TODAY, UPON SLOWING DOWN TO ENTER MY DRIVEWAY, IT DID IT AGAIN, AND I NEARLY HIT A BRICK COLUMN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT DOESN'T JERK FREQUENTLY, BUT IT SEEMS TO DO IT MORE OFTEN WHEN I AM ON CRUISE CONTROL. I LOVE MY SUV AND AM ALWAYS BRAGGING ABOUT WHAT A RELIABLE CAR IT IS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT, RETIRED AND ON DISABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10501468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Lake Arrowhead, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD THE ENGINE ON MY 1999 LEXUS RX 300 STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY AND FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO SWING INTO A PULL OUT AND DID NOT GET HIT. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO SLEDGE BUILD UP. I AM A SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ABOUT REPLACING A DEFECTIVE ENGINE . I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 03 HAD IT IN FOR REPAIRS IN 07 THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO INFORM ME OF THE LAWSUIT AND CORRECT THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME. NOW THIS INCIDENT IN 2010. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE IF I WERE TO HAVE BEEN HIT ON THIS MOUNTAIN ROAD THAT SITS ON THE CLIFF AT 5,500 FEET.

NHTSA complaint #10374695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kittanning, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL GEL.

NHTSA complaint #10362917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY 1999 -- LEXUS RX300 HAS ABOUT 140K MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED SO I DON'T KILL MYSELF OR MY FAMILY WHILE DRIVING. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, MY CAR JUST STARTED JERKING AS IF IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WORK OFF A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND I WAS REALLY SCARED. MY CAR SPEED WOULD BE 50-55MPH BUT THE RPMS WOULD BE AS HIGH AS 6. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. I WENT TO THE CAR REPAIR SHOP - I HAD SOME MIS-FIRES AND THEY WERE FIXED FOR $150, NO PROBLEM. THE CAR REPAIR RECOMMENDED I GET MY FRONT BRAKES DONE BECAUSE MY MILES PER GALLON HAD SLIPPED TO 15 IN THE CITY. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, I GOT MY FRONT BRAKES DONE, NO PROBLEMS UNTIL ONE EVENING, I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN...THIS TIME I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR STARTED IDLING/JERKING LIKE I NEEDED TO GIVE IT SOME GAS OR IT WAS GOING TO DIE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW BLINKING ON MY DASH BOARD. MY HUSBAND TOOK MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP THEY SAY 2-COIL IGNITIONS HAVE FAILED. AND THAT MY SPARK PLUGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT IN ORDER TO GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING I HAVE TO FIX, THE COIL IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH COST BETWEEN $515 TO $775. THEN THEY CAN RUN MORE TEST TO SEE THERE IS ANY MORE PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS PARKED FOR NOW. THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL '99 LEXUS RX300. THIS IS CRAZY.

NHTSA complaint #10331462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Sterling HTS, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WANT YOU TO KNOW DURING THIS TIME OF TOYOTA PROBLEMS AND COVERUP, THAT WE LEASED NEW A 1999 LEXUS RX300, IT WAS MAINTAINED AT MEADE LEXUS ACCORDING TO PLAN AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SEIZED AND THE CAR QUIT WORKING. THE CAR HAD MY TWO INFANT CHILDREN IN IT AT THE TIME AND SHE WAS STUCK NEAR THE EXIT RAMP WITH VEHICLES/TRUCKS/SEMIS BEARING DOWN ON HER. SHE AND THE CHILDREN WERE SCARED AND NEARLY COLLIDED WITH AT ITS SUDDEN LOCATION TO STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALER AND DISCOVERED SLUDGE HAD RUINED THE MOTOR. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO OUR GARAGE WHERE IT SAT AS I MADE PAYMENTS ON IT. I TOOK LEXUS TO ARBITRATION WITH MY MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS AND LOST AS THE ARBITRATOR SAID I MAY HAVE ABUSED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TOYOTA REP SHOWED A SAMPLE OF THE SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE STILL SAT IN THE GARAGE AND MONTHS LATER LEXUS ADMITTED FAULT WITH THE OIL PASSAGES ON THE MOTOR AND REPLACED THE ENGINE JUST IN TIME FOR ME TO RETURN IT OFF LEASE. I AGREE THEY FINALLY REPAIRED IT 5-6 MONTHS LATER, BUT THIS FAILURE NEARLY COST MY FAMILIES LIFE AND WAS IGNORED BY LEXUS. THE DATES STATED HERE ARE APPROX AND HERE IS AN INFORMATIONAL LINK I FOUND HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/NEWS04/2007/01/TOYOTA_SLUDGE_SETTLEMENT.HTML I WOULD LOVE TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE POOR TREATMENT AND IGNORING ATTITUDE ABOUT MY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10313078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles Chapin, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE READ AS MANY OF THE OWNERS OF 1999 LEXUS RX300 SUV , I AM NOT SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT I AM NOW A PROUD OWNER OF A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION THAT FAILED ON MY WIFE WHILE RETURNING FROM GREENVILLE TO COLUMBIA SC. THE TRANSMISSION WAS INDICATING PROBLEMS BY SHIFTING SLOW AS MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED . WHEN THESE TRANSMISSIONS START TO FAIL YOU EXPERIENCE SLOW SHIFTING WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING , EVEN IF YOU LET THE CAR WARM UP FIRST BEFORE MOVING INTO ANY GEAR DRIVE OR REVERSE. WHEN YOU TRY TO BACK UP IN REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR HARD. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MECHANICAL FIELD FOR 35 YEARS WORKING FOR BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE IAS A MANAGING PARTNER OF RETAIL LOCATIONS AND KNOW THIS IS THE SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ONLY BY LEXUS ONLY. ALSO ARE SEVERE OIL SLUDGING PROBLEMS, HAVE SERVICED HUNDREDS OF THESE MODELS AND EVERY HORROR STORY IS THE SAME . OIL SLUDGING CAUSES SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE RESTRICTING OIL FLOW THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE. WHEN IS OUR RIGHTS AS CONSUMERS GOING TO BE UPHELD BY OUR GOVERNMENT . I DON`T THINK I WANT TO BUY OTHER NEW TRANSMISSION FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION OR ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT . THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $4075.00 AND THE ONLY TRANSMISSIONS AVAILABLE ARE THRU TOYOTA WITH APPARENTLY WITH THE NEW DESIGN . THESE PROBLEMS WERE CORRECTED IN 2002 WITH THE NEW DESIGN, WHAT ABOUT US THE OWNERS OF THE DEFECTIVE ONES!!!! CHAPIN S.C.

NHTSA complaint #10277275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHEN I RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, WATER SEEPS FROM UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, SOMETIMES UP TO 3/4 INCH. I HAVE TO USE A VACUUM AND OR A CUP TO GET IT OUT. IT IS DAMAGING THE BODY. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #10262137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West DES Moines, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 CLEANED OUT TO AVOID ENGINE PROBLEMS. * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR SENDS INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. (THIS STARTED OCCURRING ON DECEMBER 11, 2008.) * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE A COMPONENT OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR STOPS WORKING, AND THE CAR IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROPER RATIO OF AIR TO FUEL FOR THE ENGINE. (THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2005. WE HAD TO PAY FOR NEW AIR FLOW SENSORS.) * LIGHT BULBS FREQUENTLY BURN OUT IN THE TAILLIGHTS. * THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES VERY LOUD NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THE SUPPORT BUSHING FOR THE SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. (THIS BEGAN HAPPENING IN DECEMBER 2007. LEXUS TOLD US WE NEED NEW STRUTS.) * A THROBBING WIND NOISE FROM THE MOONROOF. ONE CANNOT HAVE THE MOONROOF OPEN AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WINDOWS OR ONES EAR DRUMS EXPERIENCE SEVERE PAIN. (THIS HAS EXISTED FROM PURCHASE.) I BELIEVE THE 1999 LEXUS RX 300 MIGHT VERY WELL BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE LEMON LAWS, YET WE'RE NOT SEEING PROBLEMS BEING ADDRESSED WITH RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10251716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Miami, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I CHANGE MOTOR OIL EVERY 5,000 MILES, AS PER MANUFACTURER'S SCHEDULE. ALSO PERFORMED A 'LARGE' ($1,400) MAINTENANCE AT LEXUS DEALER. CAR ('99 RX300 AWD) HAD REAR ENGINE SEAL LEAK AT 68,000 MILES. IT SEEMS A LARGE NUMBER OF THE RX300S EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM, DUE TO HARDENING (DEFECTIVE) SEAL MATERIAL ABUTTING A HOT CRANKCASE.

NHTSA complaint #10245215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Arlington, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

I HAVE A LEXUS RX300 AWD AND JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 120,000 MILES. I WAS VERY SHOCKED WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND IT WOULD BE $5720 TO REPAIR IT. I AM VERY DISGUSTED WITH THIS BECAUSE I STARTED RESEARCHING THE ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS "SO CALLED LUXURY VEHICLE" THAT IS SUPPOSE TO LAST YOU TO 250,000 MILES OR MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10182980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Hollywood, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LEXUS 1999 RX 300 HAD OIL SLUDGE IN 2000 AND I WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED BY LEXUS PEMBROKE PINES THEN ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER REIMBURSED AS A CUSTOMER CONVIENCE. MY LEXUS NOW HAS THROWN A ROD AT 88,000 WHICH I FEEL AND CAN GET EXPERT MECHANICS TO VERIFY THAT THIS IS THE AFTER EFFECT OF THE OIL GEL. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS DONE WAS A OIL CLEANING AND GASKET CHANGE. THE INTERNAL PARTS OIL PUMP, RODS,CRANKSHAFT WERE NOT DISMANTLED AND THOROUGHLY CLEANED REMOVING ANY LEFT OVER REMNANTS OF OIL GUNK WHICH AFTER TIME WOULD RESTRICT OIL FLOW TO THE WORKING PARTS. LEXUS DENIES ALL LIABILITY AND I FEEL THIS FALLS UNDER THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND I NEED PROTECTION WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. YOUR ASSISTANCE AND FURTHER HELP IN POINTING OUT CASES IN COMPLETE ENGINE BREAKDOWN WILL HELP ME GET LEXUS TO OPEN THERE EYES AND HOPEFULLY HELP OTHERS.

NHTSA complaint #10174851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,367 miles Hudson, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OUR VEHICLE'S OIL CONSUMPTION BEGAN TO INCREASE AT APPROXIMATELY 90K MILES. IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL EVERY 700 MILES OR SO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED AROUND 100K MILES. FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO OUR LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THAT WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK AND TOP END OVERHAUL. THE REASON GIVEN WAS "OIL SLUDGE" DUE TO LACK OF PROPER SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEPT QUOTED US 8,000 DOLLARS TO DO THE REPAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY WE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY SO WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND FIND A NEW ENGINE ON OUR OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10112270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Geneva, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TOOK 1999 LEXUS RX 300 IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE AT 39,000 MILES, AND ASKED DEALER TO CHECK ENGINE NOISE. DEALER FOUND CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SPLIT EXHAUST PIPE COMING OFF MANIFOLD. MAIFOLD REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN BUT SPLIT EXHAUST NOT COVERED BECAUSE CAR WAS OUT OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY. DEALER CARRIED EXHAUST MANIFOLDS IN STOCK DUE TO FREQUENCY OF PROBLEM. THIS WAS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10110272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAD MY 60,000 MILE SERVICE DONE ON MY 1999 RX300. THE WIFE DROVE IT WHEN I GOT HOME AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS RUNNING SLUGGISH, DIDN'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT DID BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN. I TOOK THE CAR OUT TO DRIVE IT AND FEEL WHAT SHE WAS TELLING ME AND NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS AND COAST THEM GIVE IT GAS THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE MECHANIC HEARD THE NOISE AND SAID HE WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT I SHOULD JUST DRIVE IT NORMAL AND NOT TRY TO MAKE IT CLUNK AND IT SHOULD BE OK. IF IT KEPT DOING IT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT BACK. CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY! IN 4 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10082354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,600 miles BEL AIR, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #10065652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I OWN A 1999 LEXUS RX300 AND HAVE HAD AN ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WITH THE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT BEING PERFORMED. ALSO HAD FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND FRONT DOWN PIPE FAILURE(CRACK) OCCURRING AT ABOUT 71,000 MILES. UNSURE AS TO ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO.

NHTSA complaint #10014196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 1999 LEXUS RX300 AND HAVE HAD AN ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WITH THE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT BEING PERFORMED. ALSO HAD FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND FRONT DOWN PIPE FAILURE(CRACK) OCCURRING AT ABOUT 71,000 MILES. UNSURE AS TO ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO.

NHTSA complaint #10014196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

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.

NHTSA complaint #10014038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10014038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEA Girt, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE CRACKED, WHICH RESULATED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE MANIFOLD AND 2 SENSOR AT OWNERS EXPENSE. THE PART CRACKED AT 71,000 MILES AND LEXUS WOULD NOT REIMBURSE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS SHOULD NOT CRACK AT 71,000 MILES, IF EVER. DT

NHTSA complaint #769036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE DID NOT START FOUR TIMES IN SIX WEEK PERIOD. BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. PROBLEM STILL EXIST.

NHTSA complaint #566047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami Beach, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE DESIGN FAULT IN THE COOLING CHANNELS TO THE CYLINDER HEAD OF THE VEHICLE WERE MADE TOO SMALL RESULTING IN EXCESSIVES ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURES CAUSING FRYING OF THE ENGINE OIL TURNING IT TO SLUDGE, THE SLUDGE CLOGS THE ENGINE PORTS EVENTUALLY CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #785707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sterling HTS, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. TOOK TO ARBITRATION DID NOT WIN. VEHICLE OUT OF SERVICE FOR LAST 10 MONTHS. LEXUS DEALER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED OVER 50 TIMES. EVEN WITH NEW POLICY ENGINE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. LEXUS AND DEALER HAVE TREATED ME LIKE A VILLIAN. PIAD FOR VEHICLE THAT IS UNUSEABLE.

NHTSA complaint #760398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE DESIGN IS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OIL BECOMES VERY HOT AND TURNS INTO SLUDGE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH CONTINUOUSLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8005011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE SLUDGE, RESULTING IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #757449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami Beach, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE DESIGN FAULT IN THE COOLING CHANNELS TO THE CYLINDER HEAD OF THE VEHICLE WERE MADE TOO SMALL RESULTING IN EXCESSIVES ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURES CAUSING FRYING OF THE ENGINE OIL TURNING IT TO SLUDGE, THE SLUDGE CLOGS THE ENGINE PORTS EVENTUALLY CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #785707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomfield Hills, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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 THE TANK WAS EMPTY. DEALER SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS "SEVERAL" TIMES. SUSPECT PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPONENT.

NHTSA complaint #729048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Lexus RX300 problems

← Full 1999 Lexus RX300 report