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2000 Lexus RX300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RX300 years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Lexus RX300 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 88.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

162 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports0 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

216 reports
120,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEG, BROKEN WRIST AND NEEDED TO UNDERGO SURGERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEG, BROKEN WRIST AND NEEDED TO UNDERGO SURGERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595887

186,000 miles · Feb 11, 2014
EnginePower Train

AFTER FIRST HAVING TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 75,000 MILES. IT SEEMS I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO DO IT AGAIN AT 186,000. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE CLIMBING A HILL. I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE MOVE ABOUT THREE FEET FROM A PARKING STALL MADE A LOUD NOISE JERKED TO A S…

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AFTER FIRST HAVING TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 75,000 MILES. IT SEEMS I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO DO IT AGAIN AT 186,000. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE CLIMBING A HILL. I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE MOVE ABOUT THREE FEET FROM A PARKING STALL MADE A LOUD NOISE JERKED TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND REPARK THE CAR. IT WILL NOT REVERSE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563808

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2013
Exterior Lighting

2000 LEXUS RX 300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL NOTICE WHICH SEEMED TO BE VERY DECEPTIVE. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10555602

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2013
Electrical System

PURCHASED CAR FROM GUY AND FOUND OUT TWO DAYS LATER PAPER WORK IN THE GLOVE BOX THAT CONTAINED A CARFAX SHOWING AN ODOMETER ROLLBACK. 2009 IT HAD 155,000 AND IN 2012 IT HAS 110,000. DUE TO MILEAGE DISCREPANCY WE TRIED TO SELL ON LOCAL SITE BUT WHEN EXPLAINED THE MILEAGE SITUATION NEVER HEARD BACK FROM POTENTIAL BUYER. ENDED UP…

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PURCHASED CAR FROM GUY AND FOUND OUT TWO DAYS LATER PAPER WORK IN THE GLOVE BOX THAT CONTAINED A CARFAX SHOWING AN ODOMETER ROLLBACK. 2009 IT HAD 155,000 AND IN 2012 IT HAS 110,000. DUE TO MILEAGE DISCREPANCY WE TRIED TO SELL ON LOCAL SITE BUT WHEN EXPLAINED THE MILEAGE SITUATION NEVER HEARD BACK FROM POTENTIAL BUYER. ENDED UP TRADING IT IN AND TAKING A LOSS- WE PAID 4500.00 AND BECAUSE THE MILEAGE IS "UNKNOWN" WE COULD ONLY GET 2,250 FOR THE TRADE IN, PLUS PAYING THE TAXES ON THIS. I TRULY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF AGE TO DISCLOSE THE MILEAGE. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN, MAYBE THIS ODOMETER ROLLBACK WOULDN'T HAPPEN AS OFTEN AND IF IT DID, YOU COULD ACTUALLY PROVE WHO DID IT. I CAN'T PROVE HE DID IT, BUT I'M SURE HE KNEW ABOUT IT BEFORE SELLING CONSIDERING HE HAD A CARFAX IN A LEXUS FOLDER WITH A LETTER FROM DEALER IN CA LOOKING TO REPLENISH THEIR USED INVENTORY & THE CARFAX IN THE GLOVE BOX WAS PRINTED ON THE SAME DAY IT SHOWS ON THE CARFAX THE CAR WAS AT THAT DEALER. HE INSIST HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS, BUT WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A FOLDER IN THE GLOVE BOX THAT HAS THIS LETTER, AND WHY WOULD THE DEALER NEED TO RUN A CARFAX TO FIX HIS "KEY" AS THEY STATE HE DID. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS AN ISSUE UNTIL IT HAPPENED AND I WAS "GOOGLING" HOW TO REPORT IT. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS, FLUID LEVELS, DRIVING IT TO MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T OVERHEAT AND ALL OF THAT- I NEVER THOUGHT OF THE ODOMETER BEING TAMPERED WITH. ALSO, IF YOU DO A SEARCH WITH THE VIN USING ONLY THE STATE REGISTRATION SITE- EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT FINE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE IS NOT REPORTED OVER 100,000, IT'S "EXEMPT"- THIS IS CRAZY- WHY WOULD THEY EVEN HAVE SITES THAT USE THIS METHOD FOR CONSUMERS IF THE INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN IT'S REGISTERED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513987

29,025 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Power Train

ON 11/03/12 I PUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTO REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. I THEN MOVED THE SHIFTER FROM "R", PAST "N" INTO "D" TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THERE WAS NO ENGAGEMENT INTO ANY GEAR. THE SHIFTER JUST MOVED FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS WITH NO RESISTANCE. THERE WAS PREVIOUS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM. …

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ON 11/03/12 I PUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTO REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. I THEN MOVED THE SHIFTER FROM "R", PAST "N" INTO "D" TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THERE WAS NO ENGAGEMENT INTO ANY GEAR. THE SHIFTER JUST MOVED FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS WITH NO RESISTANCE. THERE WAS PREVIOUS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, SO I GOT OUT OF THE LEXUS AND PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ON 11/5/13 I DISASSEMBLED THE DASH AND SHIFTING CONSOLE AND FOUND THAT THE SHIFT CABLE WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE SHIFTING LEVER. THERE WERE PIECES OF SOME KIND OF PLASTIC RETAINER BROKEN AROUND THE CABLE TERMINATION "LOOP" AND LYING ON THE FLOOR. I STILL HAVE THE BROKEN PARTS. ON 11/5/12 I CALLED LEXUS CORPORATE OFFICE AT 800-255-3987. I EXPLAINED THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED (OR WORSE). I WANTED THIS FIXED, OR AT LEAST THE PART THAT HOLDS THE CABLE ONTO THE SHIFTER. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE A "REPAIR ORDER #" TO PROCEED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO LEXUS OF PALM BEACH BY HOLDING THE CABLE ON THE SHIFTER WHEN I NEEDED TO SHIFT. THEIR SERVICE MANAGER INSPECTED, TOOK PICTURES, AND PROVIDED #7200550. I THEN CALLED CORPORATE BACK WITH THAT #. I RECEIVED A 11/20/2012 LETTER FROM LEXUS CORPORATE. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PARTS/REPAIRS BASED ON WARRANTY EXPIRATION. ON 1/13 I FINALLY HAD TIME TO EFFECT A D.I.Y REPAIR. I MADE A NYLON SLEEVE FOR INSIDE THE CABLE "LOOP" AND USED A COMMON E-CLIP TO RETAIN THE LOOP ONTO THE SHIFTER LEVER ROD. PLEASE SEE PICTURES AT HTTP://SDRV.MS/10O9RFN FOR DAMAGE AND CORRECTIVE ACTION . HAVE ACCIDENTS/DEATHS ALREADY OCCURRED DUE TO THIS? HOW MANY NEEDLESS $6000 TRANSMISSION REBUILDS HAS LEXUS GOT OUT OF THIS? THIS REPAIR CAN BE DONE IN UNDER 30 MINUTES FOR ABOUT $2 IN PARTS. PLEASE KEEP OTHERS FROM AVOIDABLE HARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509921

127,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY GEAR THAT WOULD ENGAGE WAS DRIVE. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT COULD SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT APPROXIMATELY FOUR PISTONS MISFIRED AND THE 02 SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY GEAR THAT WOULD ENGAGE WAS DRIVE. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT COULD SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT APPROXIMATELY FOUR PISTONS MISFIRED AND THE 02 SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILD AND THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,700. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505264

115,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013
Visibility

MY LEXUS RX300 2000 THE SUN VISORS KEEPS FALLING DOWN WHICH PREVENTS ME TO DRIVE IN WHICH I GET DISTRACTED WHEN I AM DRIVING, IT IS A CONCERN, SINCE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY FATHER IN LAW OWNS ALSO OWNS A TOYOTA CAMRY IN WHICH IN RECENT DAYS HE GOT A NOTIFICATION OF THE SAME PROBLEM. LEXUS IS THE SAME COMPANY AS TOYOTA, AND …

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MY LEXUS RX300 2000 THE SUN VISORS KEEPS FALLING DOWN WHICH PREVENTS ME TO DRIVE IN WHICH I GET DISTRACTED WHEN I AM DRIVING, IT IS A CONCERN, SINCE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY FATHER IN LAW OWNS ALSO OWNS A TOYOTA CAMRY IN WHICH IN RECENT DAYS HE GOT A NOTIFICATION OF THE SAME PROBLEM. LEXUS IS THE SAME COMPANY AS TOYOTA, AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU GOT ANY NOTIFICATION OF MANY SUNVISOR PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE MODEL HIGHLANDER WHICH IS THE SAME AS MY CAR LEXUS RX300. THIS VEHICLES WHERE MADE FROM 1999-2003. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490645

172,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED BY THREE FEET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED BY THREE FEET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10462460

138,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THE LAST GEAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10456863

90,000 miles · Jan 17, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE PAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS NO LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN OCALA , FL ..... I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING LIKE RUBBER AGAINST A HOT EXHAUST OR ENGINE. EVERY NOW AND THEN I WOULD STOP THE CAR AND CHECK AND I MIGHT SEE A WHIFF OF LIGHT SMOKE BUT THEN NOTHING. NO ENGINE LIG…

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THE PAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS NO LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN OCALA , FL ..... I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING LIKE RUBBER AGAINST A HOT EXHAUST OR ENGINE. EVERY NOW AND THEN I WOULD STOP THE CAR AND CHECK AND I MIGHT SEE A WHIFF OF LIGHT SMOKE BUT THEN NOTHING. NO ENGINE LIGHTS , NO SPOTTING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. SO I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE EARLY AND ASKED THAT THEY CHECK THE CAR OVER. 3 HOURS LATER I WAS TAKEN INTO THE GARAGE BAY AND SHOWN OIL DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND TOLD MY SEALS WERE BLOWN AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE TORN DOWN TO GET TO THEM. WHILE REPAIRING IT TURNED OUT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING BUT THE TIMING BELT CHANGED AT 60,000 MILES WAS OKAY. THE FOLLOWING EVENING I WAS PRESENTED WITH A $1500 BILL MOST FOR LABOR. I GUESS I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THEY FOUND ALL THIS BEFORE I TOOK THIS 12 YEAR OLD CAR ON A LONG TRIP . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444312

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.