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2002 Lexus RX300Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 88 owner complaints about the 2002 Lexus RX300, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year34% below the RX300 median · #4 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints8827 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage103kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 31, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Lexus RX300 has problems

88 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 train382
Vehicle speed control158
Engine and engine cooling121
Air bags109
Electrical system50
Wheels20
Electronic stability control (ESC)20
Fuel/propulsion system21
Seat belts21
10 other systems131

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

0 recalls

2002 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?

103kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 35 power train complaints. 43% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles15under 100k miles20100k 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

8 owners mentioned a cost

$4,350median

Middle half: $3,975 – $4,975

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

2002 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

2002 Lexus RX300 safety ratings

2002 Lexus RX 300 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Lexus RX300 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 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.

SUDDENLY MY GEARS BEGAN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, REVERSE AND INTO !ST AND 2ND GEAR WITHOUT LOCKING INTO ANY OF THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY. MY CAR ONLY MOVES FORWARD NO MATTER WHICH GEAR IT'S IN, INCLUDING REVERSE. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT STILL KEEPS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER…
Complaint 11144280 · Oct 31, 2018 · 142,128 miles
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TILL I HEARD GRINDING NOISE THEN I REALIZED CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE THEN IT TOWED AWAY TO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION.
Complaint 11076721 · Mar 7, 2018 · 165,000 miles
ENGINE KNOCKS ON ACCELERATION, BURNS OIL BAD, HARD TO START, TRANSMMISION WILL NOT AUTO SHIFT INTO HIGH RANGE ON FREEWAY, CAR LURCHES WHEN GETTING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED
Complaint 11010984 · Jul 27, 2017 · 65,000 miles

Own a 2002 RX300?

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