1999 LEXUS RX300

268 complaints filed with NHTSA.

268
Complaints
21
Crashes
13
Fires
18
Injuries
0
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION110
POWER TRAIN13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
TIRES6
AIR BAGS6
SEAT BELTS6
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
SUSPENSION:FRONT5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD4
SERVICE BRAKES4

Recent Complaints

20180226FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS ABOVE 85 MPH. DURING THE INCIDENT, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FLAMES CREATED A HOLE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP

Mileage: 179,825

20180226FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS ABOVE 85 MPH. DURING THE INCIDENT, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FLAMES CREATED A HOLE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP

Mileage: 179,825

20170628CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND LEFT KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

Mileage: 178,000

20160121FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

ON JANUARY 17TH, 2016, I TOOK MY '99 LEXUS RX300 TO CHURCH, PARKED THE CAR, AND JOINED THE SUNDAY SERVICE. AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE (DURING WHICH TIME IT WAS NOT RUNNING OR IN USE), I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND WENT OUTSIDE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END WAS BURSTING IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, AND DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE; IT WAS SEEMINGLY RANDOM.

Mileage: 144,000

20160121FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON JANUARY 17TH, 2016, I TOOK MY '99 LEXUS RX300 TO CHURCH, PARKED THE CAR, AND JOINED THE SUNDAY SERVICE. AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE (DURING WHICH TIME IT WAS NOT RUNNING OR IN USE), I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND WENT OUTSIDE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END WAS BURSTING IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, AND DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE; IT WAS SEEMINGLY RANDOM.

Mileage: 144,000

20160121FireENGINE

ON JANUARY 17TH, 2016, I TOOK MY '99 LEXUS RX300 TO CHURCH, PARKED THE CAR, AND JOINED THE SUNDAY SERVICE. AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE (DURING WHICH TIME IT WAS NOT RUNNING OR IN USE), I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND WENT OUTSIDE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END WAS BURSTING IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, AND DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE; IT WAS SEEMINGLY RANDOM.

Mileage: 144,000

20120403CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED SLIGHTLY TOPREPARE FOR A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE SPEED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED FORCEFULLY. THE VEHICLE THEN TRAVELED OVER THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE REAR PASSENGER SUFFERED MINOR INJURY TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIM

Mileage: 97,000

20110819FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UPHILL THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $5000. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD RETURN THE CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 89,000

20080823CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP THROUGH A NARROW EXIT, AND THEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, SLOWLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF LIKE A BULLET, I HIT THE WALL OF A HOUSE, I WAS ABOUT 10 OR 15 FEET FROM THE WALL, IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED, FAST AND SCARY THAT I FROZE, I WAS WITH THREE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR, WE WERE LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT HURT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20080705POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CAR BEGINS TO LURCH BOTH BACKING UP AND ACCELERATING IN THE LOW GEARS. THE COMPUTER ERRONEOUSLY TELLS THE CLUTCH TO ENGAGE, THUS BLOWING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NECK PAIN FROM THE LURCHING; IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. BECAUSE OF THE JUMPING, IT COULD ALSO BE VERY EASY TO REAR END SOMEONE. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ON VARIOUS BLOGS, INCLUDING 12 PAGES AT EDMUNDS.COM. THE COST TO REPLACE BOTH THE COMPUTER AND THE TRANSMISSION RANGES FROM $4000-8000 DEPENDING ON WHETH

Mileage: 130,000

20080228CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT @55MPH ON RT 100 ON A CLEAR WARM SUNNY DAY WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE 99 LEXUS RX300 SPUN 220 DEGREES INTO AN ADJACENT STONE LINED DRAINAGE DITCH. LEN STOLER LEXUS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

Mileage: 51,915

20080228CrashPOWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

THE WHEELS OF A 1999 RX300 LOCKED UP AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 220 DEGREES AND CRASH INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER/INSURANCE CO. ABS SENSORS ARE RUSTING AT THE WHEELS AND REQUIRE REPAIR AFTER ONLY 23 MONTHS/27K MILES SINCE THE LAST ABS SENSOR OVERHAUL. LEXUS HAS THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR

Mileage: 51,915

20080228CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

THE WHEELS OF A 1999 RX300 LOCKED UP AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN 220 DEGREES AND CRASH INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER/INSURANCE CO. ABS SENSORS ARE RUSTING AT THE WHEELS AND REQUIRE REPAIR AFTER ONLY 23 MONTHS/27K MILES SINCE THE LAST ABS SENSOR OVERHAUL. LEXUS HAS THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR

Mileage: 51,915

20070814FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AUTOMOBILE WAS A PERFECTLY FUNCTIONING 1999 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED LEXUS RX300 UNDER A BUMPER TO BUMPER 'NEW CAR WARRANTY'. AUTO WAS CONSISTENTLY SERVICED BY LEXUS OF PALM BEACH. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS CONSUMED BY 20 FT. FLAMES IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE GARAGE WAS ABOUT 6 FT. AWAY AND CAUGHT FIRE. FORTUNATELY A NEIGHBORS DOG AWOKE THEM AND THE FIREMEN ARRIVED TO PUT THE FINAL CAR FLAMES OUT AND STOP THE FIRE ON THE GARAGE. WE SLEPT THROUGH THE ENTIRE

Mileage: 85,000

20050428SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

THE HEATED SEAT IN MY LEXUS RX300 HAS BECOME SO HOT THAT IT HAS BURNT THE LEATHER AND IT HAS ALSO BURNT MY LEFT LEG. YOU CAN TURN THE HEATER OFF BUT IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO COOL DOWN.

Mileage: 76,500

20050330CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING INTO THE CAR PORT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK ,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH THROUGH A WALL.*AK

Mileage: 115,000

20030509CrashAIR BAGS

INJURIES TO CHEST, ABDOMEN, KNEES, WRIST DUE TO AIR BAGS NON DEPLOYMENT IN COLLISION. OBVIOUS FRONT IMPACT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IMPACT ESTIMATED @ 40 MPH. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED PULLED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH NO CHANCE OF AVOIDANCE. MY SEAT BELT LOCKED AND CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING TO MY STERNUM, ABDOMEN, KNEES. I BOUGHT THIS PREMIUM PRICED VEHICLE BASED IN PART ON THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT DID NOT PERFORM. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING AS OWNER IS 1999 LEX

Mileage: 39,473

20020806CrashAIR BAGS

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SUSTAINED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB *SCC

20010619CrashFireTIRES

I THOUGHT THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY FILLED OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE WITH NHTSA, SO THIS MAY BE A DUPLICATE, BUT WE WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE IT SO I THOUGHT TO FILE A SECOND ONE. THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER IN WHICH A PLYMOUTH VOYAGER HIT THE REAR LEFT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH. MY WIFE (SOPHIA ROSLIN), WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND THE OTHER DRIVER, EXCHANGED INSURANCE INFORMATION BUT DID NOT INTEND TO FILE A CLAIM AS THE DAMAGE SEEMED MINOR. SOPHIA THE

20010614FireVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER THE HOOD, HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING OF PROBLEM. VEHICLE DESTROYED. INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INDICATED PROBLEM WAS A FAN MOTOR. *AK