2001 Lexus RX300 problems
Owners have filed 189 complaints about the 2001 Lexus RX300 with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 65.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of vehicle speed control at 10.6%.
Complaints189
Crashes17
Fires2
Injuries20
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 65.1% · 123
Vehicle speed control 10.6% · 20
Engine and engine cooling 7.4% · 14
Air bags 4.2% · 8
Electrical system 2.1% · 4
Service brakes, hydraulic 2.1% · 4
Engine 2.1% · 4
Suspension 1.6% · 3
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 20 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Lexus RX300 in this data, 2001 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1999 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 105,897 miles.
In owners' own words
I was driving home from vacation and the car would not go into gear as I was driving on the highway. I pulled over on the shoulder to try to get it to go. It stalled for a while then kicked back into gear. I got off at the next exit and then the atf light came on. I put some transmission fluid in the car and slowly drove home. The car died in my driveway. I had to get the transmission replaced ($4,000). Power train · reported at 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Lexus RX300. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a Lexus dealer. The dealer stated that the transmission had to be replaced. The vehicle will be repaired at the owners expense since there was no valid warranty. The vin was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 116,000. Power train · reported at 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the reverse gear was no longer operable in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,651. Updated 06/02/2016*lj Power train · reported at 147,651 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…