KnownCarProblems2001 Lexus RX300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Lexus RX300, most often about the transmission (73% of complaints, typically around 113,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about RX300 model year since 2000.
Complaints169
Recalls0
Crashes reported14
Fires reported2
Injuries reported13
Most common 2001 Lexus RX300 problems
Transmission
123 complaints · 73%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I experienced a complete transmission failure on my 2001 Lexus RX300 at 115000 miles. This vehicle was well-serviced, and had transmission fluid service per the Lexus maintenance schedule. After reviewing experiences of other RX300 owners (especially at clublexus.com), this comes across as a defect that the…
Failure of transmission in 2001 Lexus rx 300. There is a known, well-documented history of problems with the transmission and transaxles in this vehicle. Lexus has not recalled the vehicle and fixed the problem.
Speed control
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Vehicle was experiencing a sudden acceleration problem. Consumer was parking the vehicle when the acceleration began. Vehicle hit a brick pillar.
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…
Engine
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 98,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
I own a 2001 Lexus RX300 and the transmission went out but Lexus refused to cover it with my 100.000 warranty.they were very racist and wrong. They also refused to take care of the engine repairs. I will never buy another one in my life from such racist pigs!!
I had service at Lexus and my transmission still went out. They were racist and biased and would not fix it. I had to pay out of my pocket. After that happened, a cylinder went out so now I need that fixed. I thought that Lexus was a superior car. (they do not honor the warranty as they should, at least not in houston…
Air bags
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 114,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Air bag failure. Wife received severe head lacarations and concussion. Was life lined to iu med center. Treated at tramu center. Left from bumper was pushed back into tire.
2001 Lexus RX300. Consumer writes in regards to air bag malfunction. The consumer stated he was traveling west at 30 MPH. A vehicle traveling south ran a stop sign and attempted a left turn. He was unable to stop and collided with the vehicle that ran the stop sign. The consumers vehicle encountered significant damage…
Brakes
6 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: foundation components.
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…
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 warranty. Why is there not…
Electrical
4 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: wiring.
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…
Suspension
3 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: front.
2001 Lexus RX300 in town driving all of a sudden the wheels seemed to be locked up, any speed above a crawl was accompanied by strong vibrations and loud noise. Barely made it home with emergency flasher on and crawling along. After parking the front right wheel looked cockeyed and an upper rod to the right front…
I have just sat and read probably 50 complaints; safety and defective, concerning the transmission for the 2001 Lexus RX300. From what im reading, I guess I should consider myself lucky, I currently have 142,000 miles on my vehicle and although I've experienced non-periodic shifting abnormalities, I haven't…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 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.
Questions about the 2001 Lexus RX300
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lexus RX300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (123 complaints, typically around 113,000 miles); speed control (20 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); engine (17 complaints, typically around 98,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus RX300 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus RX300. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Lexus RX300?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about RX300 model year since 2000, with 169 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.