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2001 Lexus RX300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Lexus RX300 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 88.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

152 reports with mileage · 17 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 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

20 reports
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200,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
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 …

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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 ODI #10725407

142,100 miles · May 31, 2015
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 ODI #10722469

205,000 miles · Dec 26, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 LEF…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557321

73,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS HER BREAST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS HER BREAST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NEITHER THE DEALER, NOR THE MANUFACTURER, WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422398

59,422 miles · May 13, 2010
Electrical SystemParking BrakeVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING A LEXUS RX 300 AND HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTLY TO DECREASE MY SPEED BUT INSTEAD, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. I THEN STEPPED ON THE BRAKE FULLY BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. I TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR BY SHIFTING THE GEARS...TRIED NEUTRAL, L1, L2, AND EVEN REVERSE BUT FA…

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I WAS DRIVING A LEXUS RX 300 AND HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTLY TO DECREASE MY SPEED BUT INSTEAD, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. I THEN STEPPED ON THE BRAKE FULLY BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. I TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR BY SHIFTING THE GEARS...TRIED NEUTRAL, L1, L2, AND EVEN REVERSE BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. I WAS GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS, UNABLE TO STOP, AND VERY SCARED AS I WAS ON A STREET WITH MANY LIGHTS. AFTER PASSING THROUGH A RED LIGHT, I TURNED THE CAR INTO THE CURB AND DRAGGED THE WHEELS AGAINST THE CURB UNTIL THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR OR PEOPLE THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS. THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AT 3:55PM, MAY 12, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND AT THIS TIME, IT IS STILL UNDER EVALUATION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS DEMONSTRATED ANY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OR FAILURE OF BRAKES TO STOP ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330300

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

2001 LEXUS RX300. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN SURGE INTO REVERSE CAUSING A CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TGW

NHTSA ODI #10323189

78,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING INTO HIS PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED IN REVERSE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING INTO HIS PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED IN REVERSE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78000.

NHTSA ODI #10320106

100,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING ON AN ALMOST FLAT FREEWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON 70-75, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM GOES VERY VERY HIGH EVEN THOUGH THE SPEED DOES NOT GO HIGH. AT THE TIME THE EVENT IS HAPPENING, I PUSH THE BRAKE TO TAKE IT OF THE CRUISE, THE RPM COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY TO NORMAL. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CRU…

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WHEN DRIVING ON AN ALMOST FLAT FREEWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON 70-75, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM GOES VERY VERY HIGH EVEN THOUGH THE SPEED DOES NOT GO HIGH. AT THE TIME THE EVENT IS HAPPENING, I PUSH THE BRAKE TO TAKE IT OF THE CRUISE, THE RPM COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY TO NORMAL. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CRUISE AND DECIDED NOT TO USE IT ANYMORE BUT AFTER THE TOYOTA'S EVENTS WITH ACCELERATION I FIGURED THAT THIS MAY ALSO BE A RELATED ELECTRONIC DEFECT IN LEXUS. MY CAR IS A 2001 LEXUS RX300. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317968

48,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

2000 LEXUS RX 300 (THIS IS A TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINE IN A LEXUS BODY) CAR TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO HIGH GEARS 3 & 4 FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING, PREVENTING ACCELERATION. LEXUS OF NORWOOD, MA REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. 5,000 MILES LATER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS DOING THE SAME THING, AFTER A WEEK THEY FINALLY…

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2000 LEXUS RX 300 (THIS IS A TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINE IN A LEXUS BODY) CAR TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO HIGH GEARS 3 & 4 FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING, PREVENTING ACCELERATION. LEXUS OF NORWOOD, MA REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. 5,000 MILES LATER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS DOING THE SAME THING, AFTER A WEEK THEY FINALLY GAVE IT BACK TO AND SAID IT WAS REPAIRED BUT NOT WHAT THEY HAD TO FIX AND WERE VERY SKETCHY, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. FINALLY THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN TOLD IN LOW TONES SO NOT TO BE HEARD THAT IT WAS COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND THAT;S WHY THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME. SO THEY REPLACED AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT 48000 MILES INCORRECTLY WHEN ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS DO A SOFTWARE BUG FIX. I THINK THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE COMPUTER PREVENTED ACCELERATION BUT COULD PROBABLY ALSO CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THEY DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THEIR SOFTWARE RUNNING THESE ENGINES AND DON'T WANT TO ADMIT BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316731

60,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2001 LEXUS RX 300 SOMETIMES STICKS. I WAS NOT TOO CONCERNED UNTIL THE RECALL OF OTHER TOYOTA PRODUCTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. FOR THE MOST PART, THE PEDAL STICKS IN THE IDLE POSITION SO IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM. THE FREQUENCY OF STICKING CAN BE DESCRIBED AS INFREQUENT, OCCURRING ON 10 TO 20 OCCASIONS OVER A…

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THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2001 LEXUS RX 300 SOMETIMES STICKS. I WAS NOT TOO CONCERNED UNTIL THE RECALL OF OTHER TOYOTA PRODUCTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. FOR THE MOST PART, THE PEDAL STICKS IN THE IDLE POSITION SO IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM. THE FREQUENCY OF STICKING CAN BE DESCRIBED AS INFREQUENT, OCCURRING ON 10 TO 20 OCCASIONS OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314407

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.