Owners have filed 189 complaints
about the 2001 Lexus RX300 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2019.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Lexus RX300. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 76
14.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 4
2% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
8782.9%
Engine
76.7%
Accelerator Pedal
43.8%
Exhaust System
21.9%
Frontal
21.9%
Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
11.0%
Emission Control
11.0%
Wiring
11.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
10.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
74.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1810.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
8248.8%
150,000+ miles
1810.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2001peak 7Jun 2019
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 156,000 milesLOS Gatos, CACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN BREAST BONE (STERNUM) AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND KNEE INJURIES, AND BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10837762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesDenver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS TRAVELING WEST AT 30MPH. A VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTH RAN A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED A LEFT TURN. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE THAT RAN THE STOP SIGN. MY VEHICLE ENCOUNTER SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END AND HOOD. THE AIRBAG OF MY VEHICLE DID NOT ACTIVATE AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. I WAS ABLE TO BRACE MYSELF FROM THE IMPACT. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING UPPER BACK AND NECK DISCOMFORT. BOTH THE FIRE DEPT. AND POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER THAT RAN THE STOP SIGN ADMITTED HER FAULT. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE ACCIDENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO LEXUS CORP. AND THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PERFORMING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED WITH THIS LIFE SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10567177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesFolsom, CACrash6 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. DESPITE THE DRIVER'S EFFORTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A CURB AND HEADED TOWARD A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH TRAFFIC. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A POSSIBLY FATAL COLLISION, THE DRIVER SWERVED HARD TO THE LEFT INTENDING TO HIT A POLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MISSED THE POLE AND HIT A STARBUCKS WITH THE VEHICLE ENDING UP COMPLETELY INSIDE THE STARBUCKS. SIX PEOPLE WHO WERE INSIDE THE STARBUCKS WERE INJURED. THE DRIVER NEVER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR DURING THE ENTIRE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10557321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesFolsom, CACrash6 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. DESPITE THE DRIVER'S EFFORTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A CURB AND HEADED TOWARD A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH TRAFFIC. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A POSSIBLY FATAL COLLISION, THE DRIVER SWERVED HARD TO THE LEFT INTENDING TO HIT A POLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MISSED THE POLE AND HIT A STARBUCKS WITH THE VEHICLE ENDING UP COMPLETELY INSIDE THE STARBUCKS. SIX PEOPLE WHO WERE INSIDE THE STARBUCKS WERE INJURED. THE DRIVER NEVER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR DURING THE ENTIRE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10557321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesDenver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
2001 LEXUS RX300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TRAVELING WEST AT 30 MPH. A VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTH RAN A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED A LEFT TURN. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE THAT RAN THE STOP SIGN. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END AND HOOD. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. HE WAS ABLE TO BRACE HIMSELF FROM THE IMPACT. HOWEVER, HE DID SUFFER UPPER BACK AND NECK DISCOMFORT. BOTH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER THAT RAN THE STOP SIGN ADMITTED HER FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10549180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,567 milesDecker, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG FAILURE. WIFE RECEIVED SEVERE HEAD LACARATIONS AND CONCUSSION. WAS LIFE LINED TO IU MED CENTER. TREATED AT TRAMU CENTER. LEFT FROM BUMPER WAS PUSHED BACK INTO TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10450173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 130,000 milesBensalem, PA
POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED FROM MY MOTHER IN 2013 AT 115K AFTER SHE HAD PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. BABIED, DEALER SERVICED, MY TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT AT 130K AT A COST OF $3800!!! THEN IN LESS THAN A YEAR IT WENT AGAIN, AND IT WAS UNDER AAMCO WARRANTY. THEN TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN IN 2018, AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!!!! CAR DIED 3 SEPARATE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. $3800 WAS MY ENTIRE SAVINGS, AND NOW MY LEXUS WAS THE ONLY THING I HAD OF VALUE, AND IT IS WORTH $250 AS A JUNKER!
NHTSA complaint #11220816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesBensalem, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
PURCHASED FROM MY MOTHER IN 2013 AT 115K AFTER SHE HAD PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. BABIED, DEALER SERVICED, MY TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT AT 130K AT A COST OF $3800!!! THEN IN LESS THAN A YEAR IT WENT AGAIN, AND IT WAS UNDER AAMCO WARRANTY. THEN TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN IN 2018, AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!!!! CAR DIED 3 SEPARATE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. $3800 WAS MY ENTIRE SAVINGS, AND NOW MY LEXUS WAS THE ONLY THING I HAD OF VALUE, AND IT IS WORTH $250 AS A JUNKER!
NHTSA complaint #11220816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesChattanooga, TN
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND IN PARK IN A FLAT LOT. WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE, IT DID NOT ENGAGE/ROLL BACK. AS I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING HAPPENED UNTIL A IT SUDDENLY CLUNKED AND LURCHED BACK. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND THEN IT REPEATED THE SAME SYNPTOM. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW BEGUN TO WHINE AND THERE IS RUMBLING AND JERKILY BETWEEN ROUGH SHIFTS ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAY. AFTER HEARING AND READING NUMEROUS HORROR STORIES OF THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND HOW THEY HAVE SUDDENLY GONE OUT OR LOCKED UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I'M SURE THIS IS A PROBLEM LEXUS HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND IS DEFECTIVE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT REPRESENTS MORE THAN 70% OF THE NTHSAS PUBLISHED COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS. THE SUDDEN UNRELIABILITY OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND IT'S POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM IS NOT A COINCIDENCE AMONG THESE MANY REPORTS. IF THIS WERE A BOEING MAX 8 PLANE IT'D BE OUT OF COMMISSION FOR A FAILURE LIKE THIS!
NHTSA complaint #11187182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY BETWEEN GEARS. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO AND I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11129726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Surprise, AZ
POWER TRAIN
TAKATA RECALL - TRANSMISSION FAILED. HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 140,423 MILES. THERE WAS METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION. COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS $2,875.10
NHTSA complaint #10940300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,890 milesWallingford, CT
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE HAS 133,890 MILES ON IT, VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES, ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE HISTORY AND OWNERS MANUAL. WE HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE 100 MILES FROM HOME. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE I-90 , HAD TO WAIT 2 HOURS FOR A FLATBED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. MASS STATE POLICE WERE NOT HAPPY HAVING TO WAIT THAT LONG NOR SAFETY OF BEING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 2 HOURS. WE TRIED MOVING VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS OFF FOR AN HOUR, MOVED GEAR SELECTOR HAD ONLY PARK AND NATURAL , WAS AT " FULL HOT " MARK ON THE DIP STICK, FLUID IS CLEAN, DOESN'T SMELL BURNT AT ALL.TOWED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH , AND THEN HAD NO FORWARD MOVEMENT AT 70MPH. GOOGLE " RX300 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" AND YOU'LL FIND THOUSANDS OF LINKS TO PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA/LEXUS SHOULD BE STEPPING UP AND FIXING THESE TRANSMISSIONS , THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WEAK POINT IN THEIR VEHICLES AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10882442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesDesert HOT Springs, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON CITY STREETS I ATTEMPTED A U TURN WITH THE VEHICLE AS I WAS COMPLETING THE U TURN THE TRANSMISSION MADE A WEIRD NOISE AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE AND WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE 115 MILES AWAY. HE CAR ONLY HAS 145,000 MILES ON IT. CAR STARTS UP AND RUNS GREAT BUT WILL NOT ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS STILL FINANCED SO I NEED TO GET IT FIXED HOWEVER THE CHEAPEST REBUILD I CAN FIND IS $5,000.00. I CALLED TOYOTA AND ASKED IF I COULD TRADE IT IN ON A NEW CAR AND THEY SAID NOT WITH THE TRANSMISSION FIXED BECAUSE THEY WOULD LOSE MONEY ON IT. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS DUE TO THE FACT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER LEXUS OWNERS. I STILL OWE $5,500.00 ON THE LOAN AND CANT AFFORD THE COST OF ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS SINCE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DRIVE TRAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10875423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,651 milesCordele, GA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,651. UPDATED 06/02/2016*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10849967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesLOS Gatos, CACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN BREAST BONE (STERNUM) AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND KNEE INJURIES, AND BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10837762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesW Haverstraw, NY
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DAMAGE NO POWER , NO GEARS ARE ENGAGE TOTAL FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10779913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE: STARTED TO MAKE NOISE COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND FINALLY FAILED WHILE ON THE ROAD. ENGINE IS RUNNING GOOD, BUT NO GEAR ENGAGEMENT. ALL DRIVE TRAIN POSITION SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS IN NATURAL. EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION FAILURES WAS REPORTED BY OTHER RX300 OWNERS. COST TO SERVICE RE-BUILD TRANSMISSION IS $3,551.00
NHTSA complaint #10761435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,100 milesBowie, MD
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH. HOWEVER, ON 06/22/2015, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IN MY 7 MILES COMMUTE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THE RPM/ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE MUCH (COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS). PULLED TO THE SIDEWAY AND CALLED FOR HELP. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC, AND DIAGNOSED WITH CODE P0770 (SOLENOID SHIFTER E FAILURE). MECHANIC SAYS NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED ($5K PLUS). CHECKING ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND PROBABLY MODEL YEAR. TOYOTA HAS TO BE AWARE OF THIS MAJOR DEFECT, AND HAS PROBABLY INTENTIONALLY SAID SILENT. I WISH TOYOTA COULD BE TAKEN TO TASK ON THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS WRECKING FAMILY FINANCES!
NHTSA complaint #10726993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,000 milesStockbridge, GA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA complaint #10725637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMcclean, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10725407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,100 milesKEW Garden Hills, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED 40, I NOTICED LAG IN GEAR SHIFT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO 60 MPH. I NOTICED NO PICK IN SPEED RATHER 40 MPH BECAME 20 MPH, THE MORE I PRESS ON THE GAS PETAL THE ONLY ACCELERATION WAS NOTICE ON THE RPM. I HAD TO PUT ON THE HAZARDS AND PULL OVER TO LET OTHER CARS PASS.
NHTSA complaint #10722469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesRancho Mission Viejo, CA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10683004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesPlano, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND IS FLASHING BACK & FORTH 100% OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10670806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesPort Saint Lucie, FL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE GEAR COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 3/13/15*CN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/25/16.
NHTSA complaint #10670099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,345 milesPort ST Lucie, FL
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ,THE VEHICLE JUS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THANK GOD IT WAS NOT THE HIGHWAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLE ,A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10669993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,117 milesCleveland, OH
POWER TRAIN
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING FORWARD AND SEEMED TO NOT BE IN GEAR. AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 123K , YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE. I CONFIRMED THAT THEIR WAS NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10653646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,795 milesFords, NJ
POWER TRAIN
LEFT HOME TO GO TO GROCERY STORE. AS I ENTERED A MAJOR ROAD NEAR MY HOME THE CAR LOST POWER ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND COMMENTED THAT THEY SEE MANY RX300'S WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT A COST OF $3214.00. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF, INCLUDING RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS VERY PREMATURE. JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR REPORTS AT OR AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE, I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGINEERED PROPERLY AND LEXUS DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10640590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 192,000 milesCarmichael, CA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE SHIFTER WOULD DELAY. IN ADDITION WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
NHTSA complaint #10617422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesRIO Rancho, NM
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WOULD BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10610781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBerkeley Springs, WV
STEERING
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 WELL MAINTAINED.PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10610089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBerkeley Springs, WV
SUSPENSION
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 WELL MAINTAINED.PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10610089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.