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2002 Lexus RX300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

74 reports with mileage · 14 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

88 reports
38,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS SHAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS SHAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10360509

60,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AUGUST 2010, SHE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THEN TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER 1,000 MILES. SHE DID AND THE DEALER NOTICED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AUGUST 2010, SHE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THEN TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER 1,000 MILES. SHE DID AND THE DEALER NOTICED OIL CONSUMPTION BUT COULD NOT FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL THEY COULD DO WAS TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE OR TO HAVE THE ENGINE RECONSTRUCTED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY 80% OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE THAN THE 80%. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10360465

70,000 miles · Sep 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH A USED ENGINE WITH GREATER MILEAGE THAN THE ORIGINAL FAILED ENGINE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH A USED ENGINE WITH GREATER MILEAGE THAN THE ORIGINAL FAILED ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH AN UNKNOWN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE THE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE OIL DEPLETED AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE, DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES. UPDATED 01/03/11

NHTSA ODI #10357345

110,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2002 LEXUS, RX300 ON 4 AUG, 2010. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING AREA WHEN THE VEHICLE REVVED FULL THROTTLE AND SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES FULLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT FULLY STOP I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHILE STILL APPLYING THE …

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I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2002 LEXUS, RX300 ON 4 AUG, 2010. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING AREA WHEN THE VEHICLE REVVED FULL THROTTLE AND SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES FULLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT FULLY STOP I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHILE STILL APPLYING THE BRAKES AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS STILL IDLING FULL THROTTLE. I SHUT IT OFF AND LET IT SIT A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED IT AGAIN. IT WENT TO FULL THROTTLE AND WOULD NOT THROTTLE DOWN. I THEN WENT UNDER THE HOOD AND TRIED TO JIGGLE THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE BUT TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO GET THE VEHICLE THERE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANY WORK ON IT OR EVEN LOOK AT IT BECAUSE IT WAS A LEXUS AND THEY HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO DO ANYTHING WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS ON ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT A TOYOTA EVEN THOUGH LEXUS IS MANUFACTURED BY TOYOTA. I HAD TO GET IT TO A LEXUS DEALER IN TUCSON, AZ (~80 MILES AWAY) FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE LEXUS DEALER SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BENT THROTTLE CABLE. SOME HOW A COVER HAD COME LOOSE AND THE CABLE WAS EXPOSED FROM ITS SHEATH AND BENT. I AM SURE THE LEXUS OF TUCSON SERVICE MANAGER, MR. PAUL MINOR COULD EXPLAIN IT EXACTLY BUT THAT IS MY INTERPRETATION OF WHAT HE EXPLAINED TO ME. I ASKED HIM HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND HE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW. THE REPAIR WAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR ~$365.00 PARTS AND LABOR. I WILL HAVE THE CAR BACK ON FRIDAY 20 AUG, 2010. I WILL HAVE THE OLD/BAD PARTS ON HAND. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM IN DESIGN THAT LEXUS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO REIMBURSE ME AND TO ISSUE A SAFETY RELEASE AND RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE A FAIL SAFE IF THE THROTTLE CABLE SHOULD BEND. IN MY CASE THE BENT CABLE CAUSED A FULL THROTTLE CONDITION AND SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS AWARE OF WHAT TO DO IN THAT SITUATION AND THAT A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350621

40,000 miles · May 17, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment

NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF A DEAD BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330737

89,000 miles · May 5, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329005

100,500 miles · Apr 6, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500.

NHTSA ODI #10323932

130,000 miles · Mar 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION IS TOO RAPID. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALER BUT THEY ARE NOT ADMITTING THAT IT IS A OIL GEL INSTEAD THEY ARE SAYING THAT MY VALVE IS DAMAGED AND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10321494

57,465 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED HIS TRANSMISSION FAILS WHENEVER HE DRIVES, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE. THE GEAR IS SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR $4800. THERE IS A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT AND W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED HIS TRANSMISSION FAILS WHENEVER HE DRIVES, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE. THE GEAR IS SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR $4800. THERE IS A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT AND WANT THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE TOYOTA/LEXUS MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY STATED THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,465. UPDATED 04/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 05/13/10. *JB UPDATED 05/25/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10317626

48,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT THE FUEL SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL SENSOR. THE ENG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT THE FUEL SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL SENSOR. THE ENGINE OIL WAS ALWAYS LOW AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE VEHICLE EVERY WEEK. THE ENGINE ALSO EXHIBITED A LARGE AMOUNT OF DARK SMOKE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF HE PAID $2,000 IN ADVANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY RECALLS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD THEY DO UNLESS THE CONTACT PAID THE REPAIR COST. THEY ALSO STATED IF THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WOULD BE BILLED FOR A STORAGE FEE. THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10315825

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.