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2001 Lexus RX300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 169 owner complaints about the 2001 Lexus RX300, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2001 Lexus RX300
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the RX300 median · #3 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints16923 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage113kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 18, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Lexus RX300 has problems

169 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train1232
Vehicle speed control207
Engine and engine cooling130
Air bags87
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Electrical system42
Engine40
Suspension30
Equipment20
5 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2001 Lexus RX300 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

113kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 119 power train complaints. 33% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles39under 100k miles80100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

34 owners mentioned a cost

$4,350median

Middle half: $3,905 – $5,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other RX300 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RX300 median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Lexus RX300 safety ratings

2001 Lexus RX 300 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Lexus RX300 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2001 Lexus RX300 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What RX300 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11220816 · Jun 18, 2019 · 130,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11187182 · Mar 16, 2019 · 200,000 miles
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.
Complaint 11129726 · Sep 16, 2018

Own a 2001 RX300?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.