KnownCarProblems2003 Lexus RX300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Lexus RX300, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 98,000 miles). It is 4th of 4 RX300 model years by number of complaints.
Complaints25
Recalls0
Crashes reported5
Fires reported0
Injuries reported3
Most common 2003 Lexus RX300 problems
Transmission
7 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. While driving 65 MPH, the engine shut off without warning and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The transmission was determined to be the cause of the failure and was replaced at the cost of $3,922.40. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that the vehicle was…
The vehicle suddenly lost transmission on the road and was rolling freely. The gears does not work anymore and the vehicle rolls as if its in neutral. When search the internet I looked at lot of the customers complaining about exact same thing, about this vehicle having transmission issues especially for RX300. No…
Speed control
5 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. While driving into a driveway at speeds of fewer than 8 MPH, she heard a loud revving noise and the vehicle accelerated without intent. The vehicle crashed into the garage door and pushed the two vehicles into the driveway through a cement wall and into her home. There were no…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. While driving into a driveway at speeds of under 8 MPH, she heard a loud revving noise and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle crashed into the garage door and pushed two other vehicles in the driveway through a cement wall and through her home. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer…
Engine
4 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: engine.
While traveling out to denver from omaha, received low oil pressure light on my 2003 Lexus RX300. Pulled over immediately, had car towed to Lexus dealership. They immediately knew what to look for and say..the car has been misused, (no oil changes) and oil gelling was result. Within minutes they said the engine was…
This complaint is almost identical to others I have found and is very serious. Purchased 2003 Lexus RX300 from a toyota dealership; approximately 57000 miles now, about 56000 at purchase. Car checked by dealership, ok. No hard driving. After first distance trip (st. Louis to kc) check oil light and check engine light…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, windshield, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Consumer experienced a problem with the front windshield cracking for no known reason while parked in the garage overnight. Consumer replaced the front windshield, within one week. The front windshield developed another crack while parked in the garage overnight.
The contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the HVAC system was inoperable. Additionally, the vsc and check engine warning lights were illuminated while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed at an autozone with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
Electrical
3 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: ignition.
Consumer was able to remove key from the ignition with vehicle not being in the park gear. As a result vehicle rolled and crashed into a tree.
I called my local Lexus three times prior to june, 2012 regarding lights suddenly illuminating on the dashboard. I had a recurring issue where the check engine and vsc warning lights would illuminate. Each time the customer service agent told me that the lights would go off when I refueled. Three times the lights did…
Air bags
3 complaints · 12%Tl contact owns a 2003 Lexus 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the airbag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the airbag failure was due to water. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
Air bag "problem" warning light came on intermittently. Dealer stated that if the light was on, the air bags would not deploy in a crash.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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 2003 Lexus RX300
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lexus RX300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (7 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); speed control (5 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles); engine (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Lexus RX300 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Lexus RX300. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Lexus RX300?
- It is 4th of 4 RX300 model years by number of complaints, with 25 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.