Home › Lexus › RX300 › 2000

2000 Lexus RX300 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Lexus RX300, most often about the transmission (64% of complaints, typically around 106,000 miles). It is the most complained-about RX300 model year since 2000.

Complaints216
Recalls0
Crashes reported16
Fires reported0
Injuries reported15

Most common 2000 Lexus RX300 problems

  1. Transmission

    138 complaints · 64%

    Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.

    Lexus 2000 RX300 oil gel problem that is requiring a rebuilt engine and at the same time my transmission is failing and I am being told it will cost $5,000. This vehicle has 106,000 miles but two catastrophic failures.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 106,000 miles
    The transmission failed on my 2000 Lexus rx 300 after less than 9 years and 106,000 miles. Looking online I see that this is a serious problem with this make and model year. Lexus is replacing the transmission at a cost of $4000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 106,000 miles

  2. Engine

    26 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.

    Engine failed due to sludging. I was unaware of the spa and had a used engine installed. Lexus refuses to pay for the repair because I perform my own maintenance
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 109,000 miles
    Vehicle started losing power while going 35-45 MPH and eventually stalled. Was able to start vehicle but won't go pass 25 MPH. When stopped, and shifted on drive, vehicle won't move forward. Won't go into reverse either when engaged in reverse. I believe this was a transmission failure.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 115,346 miles

  3. Speed control

    14 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 113,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    With little/no warning, automatic transmission (2wd) failed. All gears (p,r,n,d,2,1) worked like neutral gear. If this would've occurred a few minutes earlier, my children and I (located at a sharp turn over a steep hill) could've been seriously injured or killed. Apparently, this is a common problem in Lexus RX300's…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 125,000 miles
    While driving, the car jerks and then cuts off. This has happened at least half a dozen times within the last 2 months. Engine light is constantly on, even after servicing the car at local Lexus dealer. When car is parked, I noticed exhaust fume smells heavily with gas.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 137,200 miles

  4. Brakes

    11 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, antilock.

    I took my Lexus 2000 because it shimmied badly. The dealer could not loosen the nut because the whole cylinder disc assy was rusted so badly that they have to saw it off. The brake pad could not even move, they have to change the arm that connect braking. I was never warned about this problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 70,914 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 172,000 miles

  5. Electrical

    7 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel.

    This is an Lexus RX300 2000 edition; the problem has been an electrical problem. It started with an untraceable problem in which the rear tail brake light stopped working; later on, the two main head-lamps stopped working; fuses have been changed, bulbs have changed, but no problem has been found. The car has not been…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 100,000 miles
    The moon roof motor has two functions, tilting open and sliding the entire glass panel open. When I attempted to use the slide panel open function, the panel did slide open, however it was much slower than normal operation and was accompanied by a grinding/clicking noise which never accompanied previous operation. An…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 109,000 miles

  6. Lights

    6 complaints · 3%

    Parts named most often: brake lights.

    Tl contact owns a 2000 Lexus RX300. The contact heard a screeching sound that occurred intermittently when the vehicle was started. The sound would cease several minutes later. The contact believed that the transmission was the cause for the noise. She also noticed that the outer casing for the headlights turned a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 75,000 miles
    I purchased my vehicle (2000 Lexus rx 300) in 2004 with less than 35,000 and every year since 2007 I have had issues with lighting. I have had the park light, brake light, center stop lamp; center brake light socket and bulbs all replaced. The unfortunate issue is that the lights have to be replaced every year…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 72,105 miles

  7. Doors and locks

    5 complaints · 2%

    Parts named most often: doors, hatchback/liftgate.

    I am able to remove the keys from the ignition when the car is not in park and turned off. I have had the car begin rolling while I have already left the car and have had to rush to get back in and press the brake pedal. I am worried this will happen and hurt someone or cause damage.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 110,000 miles

  8. Steering

    5 complaints · 2%

    Parts named most often: column locking, linkages, steering wheel/handle bar.

    With little/no warning, automatic transmission (2wd) failed. All gears (p,r,n,d,2,1) worked like neutral gear. If this would've occurred a few minutes earlier, my children and I (located at a sharp turn over a steep hill) could've been seriously injured or killed. Apparently, this is a common problem in Lexus RX300's…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 125,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2000 Lexus RX300 recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2000 Lexus RX300

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Lexus RX300?
By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (138 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles); speed control (14 complaints, typically around 113,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2000 Lexus RX300 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000 Lexus RX300. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2000 a bad year for the Lexus RX300?
It is the most complained-about RX300 model year since 2000, with 216 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Lexus RX300 years

Lexus RX300 problems by year